High schoolers net WPCI awards
WPCI awarded 49 prizes to high school students around the state for their work in reporting, design, photography, editorial writing and reviews. WPCI member Elizabeth Granger, who oversees the high school contest, said the club had 142 entries from high school journalists around Indiana.
The high school contest supports efforts of young journalists and recognizes their best work.
For information, contact WPCI High School Contest Coordinator Elizabeth Granger.
- First place: Cza Cza Castillo, Lawrence North High School, Indianapolis; "Rise in violence hits close to home"; Adviser: Heather Stockdell
- Second place: Natalie Lukich, Greenwood Community High School, Greenwood
- Third place: Kelly Nash, Lawrence Central High School, Indianapolis
- Honorable mention: Editorial board, Noblesville High School, Noblesville
From the judge: "This was a well-written statement which effectively used the editorial 'we' and was obviously the result of staff discussion. The piece could have been highly emotional; instead it showed a deliberate restraint which enhanced its effectiveness. The fact-filled sidebar was helpful and added to the overall effectiveness of the statements. The sidebar linked a local issue to national trends and statistics and showed that research had gone into the thinking about the issues. It also helped underscore the position taken in the editorial. Good job, overall."
- First place: Abby Large, Southport High School, Indianapolis; "Eating disorders create problems even after 'cure'"; Adviser: Mike Klopfenstein
- Second place: Josh Little, Plainfield High School, Plainfield
- Third place: Stacie Grissom, Franklin Community High School, Franklin
- Honorable mention: Aaron Fodroci, J.W. Riley High School, South Bend
From the judge: "The writer takes a very personal subject and bares her soul in hopes of helping her classmates. She does so in a frank way, without preaching. Instead, she takes the "been-there-done-that" and "here's-how-to-get-help" approach."
- First place: Joe Slabaugh, Muncie Central High School, Muncie; "Central placed on academic 'watch'"; Adviser: Terry Nelson
- Second place: Jordan Bradford, Lawrence North High School, Indianapolis
- Third place: Elise Fullam, Lawrence Central High School, Indianapolis
- Honorable mention: Russell Gonzalez, Munster High School, Munster
From the judge: "This story puts a new twist on an old topic with a broad range of up-to-date data. It compels the reader to finish the story and draws conclusions similar to what the quoted experts are saying. Truly, a well-researched, enlightening piece."
- First place: Amy Flis, Carmel High School, Carmel; "The Tivo-lution of media"; Adviser: Jim Streisel
- Second place: Meredith Kipp, Noblesville High School, Noblesville
- Third place: Tyler Foxworthy, Southport High School, Indianapolis
- Honorable mention: Zach Anderson, Muncie Central High School, Muncie
From the judge: "This story has all of the elements of a good in-depth feature story: Soft lead, strong nut graph, lots of well-chosen documentary, expert and lowest level of action sources pulled together in an interesting narrative. The reporter really drills down into each of the copy blocks as well, a truly "in-depth" effort. I learned a lot and hope that Amy Flis' classmates read the story and will keep in mind all of the advice about using technology to its (and their) best advantage."
- First place: Cza Cza Castillo, Lawrence North High School, Indianapolis; "We are the champions"; Adviser: Heather Stockdell
- Second place: Andrew Walker, Muncie Central High School, Muncie
- Third place: Lauren Moore, Plainfield High School, Plainfield
- Honorable mention: Matt Anderson, Warren Central High School, Indianapolis
From the judge: "The Colts Super Bowl win was a popular subject here, but the writer took it beyond ordinary coverage and reflected how it felt to be in the midst of the 50,000 people who attended the Monday night victory rally. The comments from the coach and owner were combined with quotes from media reps and ordinary folks to make an interesting and professional story. Good job!"
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- First place: E.J. Fullam, Lawrence Central High School, Indianapolis; "News to use," "Scholarships varied to give anybody affordable college options," "English teacher shares wise tips on interviews for college - for jobs - for life," "Seniors find themselves stressed and needing winter break like never before"; Adviser: Elizabeth Granger
- Second place: Evan Freeman, R. Nelson Snider High School, Fort Wayne
- Third place: Jennifer Burch, Hamilton Southeastern High School, Fishers
- Honorable mention: Alise Cool, Warren Central High School, Indianapolis
From the judge: "Well-written columns containing the kind of information that high school seniors need to know but often are too cool to ask about. And who better to talk about these things but another senior? Interviewing a teacher who's involved in the situation, using quotes from fellow seniors and providing info boxes makes the information easier to find. The writing flows well and the word usage doesn't talk down to readers. Nice job."
- First place: Alysia Fornal, Carmel High School, Carmel; "TV Land"; Adviser: Jim Streisel
- Second place: Laura Haisley, Muncie Central High School, Muncie
- Third place: Meredith Dover, Lawrence North High School, Indianapolis
- Honorable mention: Kyle Macy, Southport High School, Indianapolis
- Honorable mention: Troy Kennedy, Warren Central High School, Indianapolis
From the judge: "Look and look again! The quality of this photo is superb and the use of composition and focal point dare the viewer to take a second look. This is a great example of the powerful response a feature photo should bring to a publication."
- First place: Veronica Delgado, Munster High School, Munster; "By leaps and bounds"; Adviser: Nancy Hastings
- Second place: Dan Schneider, Warren Central High School, Indianapolis
- Third place: Theresa Tuttle, Southport High School, Indianapolis
- Honorable mention: Zach Phillips, Lawrence Central High School, Indianapolis
From the judge: "The action is captured with anticipation and excitement in this shot. Miss Delgado trapped the ball and two athletes in mid-air with focus and balance. The shot is cropped with composition in mind and makes for a great example of sports photography."
- First place: Rachel Uildriks, Kankakee Valley High School, Wheatfield; "Delay Dilemma"; Adviser: Kathy McKinney
- Second place: Alexa Dorris, Lawrence Central High School, Indianapolis
- Third place: Faryn Bailey, Plainfield High School, Plainfield
- Honorable mention: Mustafa Hameed, Carmel High School, Carmel
From the judge: "Best drawn of all the submissions. Very clean and to the point. The cartoon effectively, and humorously, portrays the literal pain and frustration all students have felt about an issue that hits close to home."
- First place: Amy Karch and Cza Cza Castillo, Lawrence North High School, Indianapolis; "Local eatery provides food for budgets"; Adviser: Heather Stockdell
- Second place: Nika Kim, Hamilton Southeastern High School, Fishers
- Third place: Amber Gray, Southport High School, Indianapolis
- Honorable mention: Neil Ahrendt, Carmel High School, Carmel
From the judge: "This is an amazing review of a restaurant that the reviewers obviously liked very much. Their descriptions of the food, the ambience, the staff and even the customers makes you feel like you are right there, experiencing the same things they did. Nice turns of phrase; very pungent review for very pungent cuisine."
- First place: E.J. Fullam, Lawrence Central High School, Indianapolis; "Measuring Up"; Adviser: Elizabeth Granger
- Second place: Anthony Deak, Warren Central High School, Indianapolis
- Third place: Neil Ahrendt, Carmel High School, Carmel
- Honorable mention: Julia Little, Southport High School, Indianapolis
From the judge: "Graphics doing what they are intended to do! It is a unique idea that manifests the relationship between the text and the graphic. The composition is perfect, and the idea is attention-grabbing for the reader."
- First place: Cherrica Li, Carmel High School, Carmel; "Go Hounds"; Adviser: Jim Streisel
- Second place: Kelly Nash, Lawrence Central High School, Indianapolis
- Third place: Annie McLaren, Warren Central High School, Indianapolis
- Honorable mention: Lucas Smith, R. Nelson Snider High School, Fort Wayne
From the judge: "This design takes a difficult concept and executes it well. I would have reconsidered some of the cutouts, but overall this is an extremely well-designed reader-oriented page. I can tell the first questions asked was, "How will readers use this?" I think the folding instructions were a great touch."
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The fine print:
