White Co High School Teacher Earns Top Award From THSPA

The Tennessee High School Press Association has honored White County’s Candice Allen as the Student Media Advisor of the year.

“It’s always nice to be recognized for hard work, and this is something that I have put a lot of time and effort into over the past eight or nine years,” Allen said. “So its been wonderful just to see somebody recognizing that.”

Allen teaches A/V production and helped create Warrior Media, a student-led group that shares classmade productions. Allen said students do anything from recording podcasts to live streaming high school sporting events.

Several White County students were also honored by the Tennessee High School Press Association. The school won first, second and third for the Best Short Feature Story and third places for Best Overall TV Station and Best Sports Coverage of a Live Event.

“There is some talent here for sure,” Allen said. “Some storytelling talent, some creative talent. The students drive Warrior media for sure. I tell them all the time there is 1 of me and 100 of y’all. This wouldn’t be what it is if it was just me. They’re definitely the ones that drive the success of Warrior Media.”

The Media Advisor award was named after former Tennessee High School Press Association Director Bonnie Hufford. She passed away in 2020 after 31 years of instructing at the University of Tennessee.

Allen said sharing a distinction with Hufford’s name is a special moment.

“That in and of itself is just really special,” Allen said. “I’m honored to carry her name on this award in general.”