The editor of the Houston Herald and leader in a local youth ministry is the featured speaker for the 2013 Houston High School baccalaureate service.
Jeff McNiell will address HHS seniors, their families and friends and the community at the annual event Sunday, May 5, inside Hiett Gymnasium. It begins at 6 p.m.
Born and raised in Houston until moving to southeast Missouri with his family just before entering high school, McNiell, 34, graduated with a degree in photojournalism from the University of Missouri. He worked at the Standard Democrat in Sikeston, Columbia Missourian and Columbia Tribune before he was hired at the Daily American Republic in Poplar Bluff. McNiell was the assistant sports editor for four years before returning to Houston and joining the Herald in July 2006.
During his time at the Herald, McNiell has assisted with the redesign of the newspaper’s award-winning website and in April led the redesign and transition to full color of the print edition. He has won multiple awards from the Missouri Press Association for his writing, photography and design work.
In November 2011, McNiell joined fellow youth leaders to form Undivided Hearts, a non-denominational youth ministry that hosts weekly worship services every Saturday night in downtown Houston. The group has held three 5K races and brought three Christian concerts to the community in 2012. A fourth will be this June.
McNiell and his wife, Brittney, will be married seven years on May 20. They have two children, Gracyn, 5, and Landrum, 2. They attend Faith Fellowship.
The baccalaureate service, which is sponsored annually by the Houston Ministerial Alliance, will include performances by the Houston High School choir and jazz band.
2013 HHS BACCALAUREATE
WHEN: 6 p.m. Sunday, May 5
WHERE: Hiett Gymnasium
WHAT: Music from HHS choir and jazz band. Featured speaker is Houston Herald editor Jeff McNiell.
ONLINE: The service will be streamed live at www.houstonherald.com/live