The Scholastic Press Association of Chicago holds an annual conference and contest for interested high schools in the area to participate. MHS Media staff garnered seven awards at the event March 14 at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in Evanston.
The day included the opportunities for students to attend educational seminars, hosted by professional journalists and professors, followed by the awards. The winners included:
–News Story – Excellent Achievement – “Final Exam Weight” Ethan Froylan
–Special Coverage – Superior Achievement – “Stressed Out Student Athletes” Ava Krueger, Aubrey Rowe, Mike Philip
–Staff Editorial – Excellent Achievement – “Marist Students Need More Sleep” Ethan Froylan
–Sports Feature – Superior Achievement – “Former RedHawks Compete at National Championship” Mike Philip, Aubrey Rowe and Molly Julian
–Sports News Story – Superior Achievement – “Varsity Basketball Swishes into Season” Nick Larson
–Broadcast Sports Feature – Excellent Achievement – “Meet Will Denny” Gavin Looney and Brooke Kilroy
– Overall Website – Excellent Achievement – MHS Media staff
“This is tremendous accomplishment by our dedicated journalists who work daily to provide important updates and insights on issues that matter to the Marist community,” said Journalism and Broadcasting teacher Susan Carlson. “This validates their commitment to the highest journalistic standards. I am so proud of them.”
Marist students can take three levels of classes: Journalism 1, Journalism 2, and Advanced Journalism Lab. Additionally, even if they’re not enrolled in the classes, they can join the MHS Media Club which meets weekly after school. All of these provide an avenue to contribute to the news website.
“Marist journalism students are strengthening their writing skills, in addition to learning important lessons regarding the pursuit of truth. This is crucial in today’s media landscape. Our country needs more journalists deeply committed to the highest standards of verification in truth-telling. Whether these students pursue journalism as a profession or not, they leave the program with newfound skills, as better communicators, and more educated media consumers,” said Carlson.
“This award means so much to me…and is motivation for me to keep digging and writing better articles,” said award winner Ava Krueger.
“This award meant a lot,” said award winner Aubrey Rowe. “This showed me not only that journalism can be my future, but also all my hard work and dedication paid off.”
