Staff writer wins award

John Loesing

Acorn staff writer John Loesing has won a California Teachers Association John Swett Media Excellence Merit Award for his 2002 story about autistic students in Las Virgenes Unified School District.

Loesing’s story dealt with the challenges facing students and schools as special education demands continue to grow in public schools.

Named after John Swett, the founder of the state teachers union, the awards are given each year in newspaper, radio and television categories.