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Surprise Celebration at MSB Honors Exceptional Achievements in Student Journalism

5/20/2025

Advisor, student, and publication all receive highest honors in the state.

On May 19, the Cranbrook Kingswood Middle School for Boys (MSB) experienced a heartwarming and historic moment as the Executive Director of the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA), Jeremy Steele, made a surprise visit to honor the incredible achievements of the MSB's journalism program and its standout contributors.

In a special presentation before the entire 8th grade class, Mr. Steele awarded 8th grade English teacher and Newspaper and Yearbook adviser Christina Hammitt with the Golden Pen Award—the highest individual honor that MIPA bestows on a student media adviser in the state of Michigan. Often regarded as a combination of Journalism Teacher of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award, this prestigious accolade is awarded only once in a recipient's career. Hammitt now joins an exclusive group of outstanding advisers who have left a lasting impact on scholastic journalism in Michigan.

Hammitt’s nomination for the Golden Pen was led by none other than her current Editor-in-Chief of The Crane (MSB’s student newspaper), 8th grader Emerson Whittaker, with support from Digital Video Production teacher Jesse Sutherland. Together, they submitted a compelling portfolio that included heartfelt letters of recommendation from former students, parents, colleagues, and administrators, as well as detailed documentation of Hammitt’s career achievements, leadership, and contributions to the field of student journalism. The nomination highlighted numerous state and national awards won under Hammitt’s mentorship, as well as testimonials from former students who have pursued journalism in high school, college, and professionally.

As if that weren’t enough to celebrate, the event included two more major honors for the journalism department:

Emerson Whittaker was recognized as a Runner-Up for MIPA’s Aspiring Young Journalist Award, which honors the most promising middle school journalists across Michigan. While the school had previously received word of this recognition, Emerson was formally presented with a certificate by Mr. Steele himself. The award recognizes Emerson’s outstanding journalistic portfolio and encourages continued pursuit of journalism in upper school and beyond.
The Crane received the coveted Spartan Award, MIPA’s highest distinction for student media programs. This award is the result of MIPA’s rigorous Spartan Critique process, in which national journalism experts evaluate student publications against high standards used for high school programs. Impressively, The Crane was the only middle school publication in the state to earn a Spartan Award this year—an extraordinary achievement that speaks volumes about the quality, professionalism, and vision of the student journalists and their adviser.

The celebration was a powerful testament to the strength of the student media program at MSB, the passion of its young journalists, and the unwavering commitment of Christina Hammitt. Her leadership has not only elevated the quality of journalism at the school but has also inspired a generation of students to find their voice and share their stories with confidence, creativity, and integrity.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Hammitt, Emerson Whittaker, and the entire staff of The Crane on this remarkable recognition from MIPA. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the vibrant tradition of excellence they continue to build at Cranbrook.

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