SDPB employees Jackie Hendry and Krystal Schoenbauer were awarded the Citizens Award from the SDAEYC (South Dakota Association for the Education of Young Children). The Citizens Award recognizes members of the South Dakota news media for increasing public awareness of children’s rights and needs during the past year. Hendry and Schoenbauer were recognized for their series on South Dakota Focus about topics affecting South Dakota youth.
The SD Focus team dedicated the 2023-24 season of their current events news program to topics affecting South Dakota's children. Jackie Hendry and Krystal Schoenbauer traveled the state to gather in-depth stories to bring complex, important issues to the attention of the public. These topics included prenatal healthcare, childhood trauma, the juvenile justice system, teacher shortages, foster care, and more. They interviewed parents, professionals, experts, policymakers, and others to tell the story of the importance of the early years for development and learning, as well as attended meetings, hearings, and legislative committees and visited childcare centers, preschools, and homes. They hosted a statewide town hall with plans for a follow-up live conversation in May 2024. Together with others at SDPB, the SD Focus team spent months telling important stories, leading conversations, and presenting possible solutions. While adhering to the highest standards of journalistic ethics, engaging in meticulous and comprehensive investigative reporting, and researching the latest and most trusted information, Jackie and Krystal painted a picture of the challenges facing families and children across South Dakota and moved the conversation forward in the quest to find solutions that benefit professionals, families, and children.
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About SDAEYC
SDAEYC promotes high-quality care and early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.
About South Dakota Public Broadcasting
The mission of South Dakota Public Broadcasting is to inspire, connect, and entertain South Dakotans with trusted journalism, quality education, and compelling storytelling. SDPB is a statewide, non-commercial, multi-platform network offering programming produced locally and from PBS, NPR, and other public broadcasting outlets. For information about SDPB and the Friends of SDPB, visit SDPB.org or call 800-456-0766.