We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
As one of their course requirements, students enrolled in Dr. Miller's journalism class at Turner Public School participated in the Montana High School Journalism Contest sponsored by the University of Montana School of Journalism. All entries had to be submitted electronically by March 26, and winners were announced last week. In the category of News Writing, first place was presented to Jake Brown from Turner's school newspaper The Northwind; second place went to Holly Grabofsky, and Landon Hickel captured third place honors.
The contest was open to high school students across the state of Montana, and for most categories, students competed in their schools' respective enrollment-determined class levels: AA, A, B, or C. Working journalists and journalism professors served as judges who were looking for stories with impact, timeliness, accuracy, clarity, organization, and fairness.
Brown's story titled "Mr. Mejia Goes to Washington" reported on Turner Science Teacher, Mr. Aristotle Mejia's attendance at the High School Research Teachers' Conference. The event brought research teachers of all experience levels together to share best practices, troubleshoot challenges, and learn more about the Society for Science and the Regeneron Science Talent Search.
About his award, Brown stated, "I found the results somewhat shocking. All I did was present the facts with interest."
To win her prize, Grabofsky wrote a news feature on Hogeland School, referring to it as "A Historical Gem of the Big Flat." In her article, she traces the story of the school's evolution and its eventual consolidation with Turner, highlighting human interest elements along the way. The story enabled her to connect with her grandmother. "I learned more about what young people did back then and how they were often joking or pranking one another, which is pretty similar to today," she commented.
Finally, Hickel's "The Drawn-Out Process of the Drewdle" won him third place on the judge's list. Hickel describes how the newspaper staff conceives of and then executes one of the activity pages called the Drewdle. "It has a storied beginning," he writes. "The name itself is a combination of Wordle and drew. . . . Before the Drewdle is sketched out, The Northwind's staff first selects an issue theme. This dictates not only the Drewdle but all of the activity pages. After this, the two illustrators, Landon Hickel and Jake Brown meet and discuss ideas for the Drewdle. Although collaboration occurs in this stage, the actual drawing of the Drewdle switches every issue between the pair."
Hickel expressed surprise but happiness at his winning. "I essentially explained the process, including different points of view."
The awards were presented following a celebratory luncheon on May 1. Dr. Miller thanked her students for their hard work, creative writing, and dedication to publishing a newspaper every month.
