The following award winners were announced at the MHSPA State High School Journalism Convention, Oct. 20, 2009, at the University of Minnesota:

BEST OF SHOW

Newspapers
First Place: The Echo, St. Louis Park HS
Second Place: The Current, Lakeville South HS
Third Place: The Hoofprint, Buffalo HS
Fourth Place: Knight Errant, Benilde-St. Margaret’s HS
Fifth Place: Heights Herald, Columbia Heights HS
Sixth Place: The Ahlahasa, Albert Lea HS
Seventh Place: The Crier, St. Francis HS
Eighth Place: The Southerner, South HS

Yearbooks
First Place: Kabekonian, Stillwater Area HS
Second Place: Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Third Place: Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Fourth Place: Antler, Minnehaha Academy
Fifth Place: Tiger, Albert Lea HS

Literary Magazines
First Place: I-Mag, Albert Lea HS

Web Sites
First Place: Knight Errant, Benilde-St. Margaret’s HS
Second Place: The Hoofprint, Buffalo HS

GOLD MEDALLION AWARDS

Magazine Art/Illustration
First Place: Meagan Hickman, i-Mag, Albert Lea HS
Second Place: Alex Swenson, Art and Literature, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Third Place: Katherine Whisler, Voices, Eastview HS

Magazine Cover Design
First Place: Alex Doty, Voices, Eastview HS

Magazine Photograph
First Place: Joanna Mendelsohn, Art and Literature, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Second Place: Ashley Stewart, i-Mag, Albert Lea HS
Third Place: Kathryn Long, Art and Literature, St. Paul Academy and Summit School

Magazine Poem
First Place: Emily Smith, Voices, Eastview HS
Second Place: Jillian Ashenbrener, Art and Literature, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Third Place: Noah Shavit-Lonstein, Art and Literature, St. Paul Academy and Summit School

Magazine Short Story
First Place: Chloe Johnson, i-Mag, Albert Lea HS
Second Place: Hayley Bemel, Art and Literature, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Third Place: Vincent Cheng, Voices, Eastview HS

Magazine Spread Design
First Place: Matt Ebeling, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
First Place: Ashley Stewart, Meagan Hickman, Chelsea LeBrun, Ashley Wieland, i-Mag, Albert Lea HS
Second Place: Ashley Stewart, Meagan Hickman, Chelsea LeBrun, Ashley Wieland, i-Mag, Albert Lea HS
Third Place: Kate Fridley, Voices, Eastview HS
Honorable Mention: Rosalind Mowitt, Art and Literature, St. Paul Academy and Summit School

Newspaper Center Spread Design
First Place: Sam Daub, Eyrie, Eden Prairie HS
Second Place: Zoe Hernandez, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Third Place: Miranda Cole, The Hoofprint, Buffalo HS
Honorable Mention: Sam Daub, Eyrie, Eden Prairie HS
Honorable Mention: Christina Xia, Viewer, Mounds View HS

Newspaper Editorial Cartoon
First Place: Lester DiLorenzo, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Second Place: Alex Olevitch, The Echo, St. Louis Park HS
Third Place: Sadie Lanoete, The Anchor, Southwest HS
Honorable Mention: Cassie Ahiers, Viewer, Mounds View HS

Newspaper Editorial/Opinion Column
First Place: Tim Scallon, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Second Place: Elizabeth Rukavina, Talon, Minnehaha Academy
Third Place: William Cramer, The Echo, St. Louis Park HS
Honorable Mention: Leah Sorensen, Rubicon, St. Paul Academy and Summit School

Newspaper Feature Photo
First Place: Joe Szczepanski, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Second Place: Sarah Ramsey, The Hoofprint, Buffalo HS
Third Place: Annie Wachutka, Eyrie, Eden Prairie HS
Honorable Mention: Zoe Prinds-Flash, Southerner, South HS

Newspaper Feature Story
First Place: Molly Hensley-Clancy, Andy Keefe, Southerner, South HS
Second Place: Jenny Kaczynski, Viewer, Mounds View HS
Third Place: Chelsie Luna, Ahlahasa, Albert Lea HS
Honorable Mention: Alana Patrick, Talon, Minnehaha Academy
Honorable Mention: Nadja Leonard Hooper, Rubicon, St. Paul Academy and Summit School

Newspaper News Photo
First Place: Mark Vancleave, Southerner, South HS
Second Place: Adrianna Jackson, The Heights Herald, Columbia Heights HS
Third Place: Meagan Hickman, Ahlahasa, Albert Lea HS

Newspaper News Story
First Place: Sam Daub, Brie Kelly, Eyrie, Eden Prairie HS
Second Place: Anthony Sicoli, Talon, Minnehaha Academy
Third Place: Maddie Butler, Rubicon, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Honorable Mention: Brigid Kelly, Talon, Minnehaha Academy

Newspaper Page One Design
First Place: Mitch Baker, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Second Place: Mitch Baker, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Third Place: Brad Palmer, Joel Morehouse, The Hoofprint, Buffalo HS
Honorable Mention: Clara Bergene, The Heights Herald, Columbia Heights HS

Newspaper Review
First Place: Joey Johnson, Quill, Robbinsdale Cooper HS
Second Place: Zach Pressman, Rubicon, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Third Place: Jared Jensen, Ahlahasa, Albert Lea HS
Honorable Mention: Erin Byrne, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Honorable Mention: Anthony Sicoli, Talon, Minnehaha Academy

Newspaper Single-page Design
First Place: Emily Schrivuar, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Second Place: Mitch Baker, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Third Place: Nick Veazie, The Echo, St. Louis Park HS
Honorable Mention: Sam Daub, Eyrie, Eden Prairie HS
Honorable Mention: Nick Veazie, Hannah Daly, The Echo, St. Louis Park HS

Newspaper Sports Photo
First Place: Ian Jentz, The Anchor, Southwest HS
Second Place: Noah Christopherson, Ahlahasa, Albert Lea HS
Third Place: Maggie Lane, Eyrie, Eden Prairie HS
Honorable Mention: Lauren Dezenski, Eyrie, Eden Prairie HS
Honorable Mention: Dan Hanson, The Hoofprint, Buffalo HS

Newspaper Sports Story
First Place: Harrison McLean, Stephanie Ritchie, The Echo, St. Louis Park HS
Second Place: Walker James, Viewer, Mounds View HS
Third Place: Chelsey Falzone, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Honorable Mention: Demtria Dyer, The Heights Herald, Columbia Heights HS

Web Site General Excellence
First Place: Buffalo High School, The Hoofprint, Buffalo HS

Yearbook Academic/Clubs Copy
First Place: Jake Dooley, Tom Polzine, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Second Place: Minnie Ostvig, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Third Place: Joe Buccholz, Sam Schaust, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Honorable Mention: Alana Patrick, Antler, Minnehaha Academy

Yearbook Feature Copy
First Place: Monica Schoberg, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Second Place: Joel Morehouse, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Third Place: Linda Neblett, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Honorable Mention: Jessica Kramar, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Honorable Mention: Stefanie Lim, Antler, Minnehaha Academy

Yearbook Feature Photo
First Place: Liga Krievans, Antler, Minnehaha Academy
Second Place: Anna Bees, Ibid, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Third Place: Noah Christopherson, Tiger, Albert Lea HS
Honorable Mention: Sarah Ramsey, Tatanka, Buffalo HS

Yearbook Sports Copy
First Place: Sophie Jundt, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Second Place: Dave Mylrea, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Third Place: Gabbi Stienstra, Antler, Minnehaha Academy
Honorable Mention: Meera Goswitz, Antler, Minnehaha Academy

Yearbook Sports Photo
First Place: Michael McNelly, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Second Place: Joel Morehouse, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Third Place: Matt Ebeling, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Honorable Mention: Katie Sauer, Antler, Minnehaha Academy
Honorable Mention: Liga Krievans, Antler, Minnehaha Academy

Yearbook Spread Design
Second Place: Dani Krolak, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Third Place: Ashley Loeffler, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Honorable Mention: Amanda Squire, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Honorable Mention: Jill Jensen, Tiger, Albert Lea HS

Yearbook Theme Copy
First Place: Ashley Loeffler, Amanda Squire, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Second Place: Lindsay Olson, Antler, Minnehaha Academy

Yearbook Theme/Concept Package
First Place: Chelsea LeBrun, Ashley Wieland, Tiger, Albert Lea HS
Second Place: Ashley Loeffler, Leah Olson, Katie Potvin, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Third Place: Katie Sauer, Antler, Minnehaha Academy

The 2009 MHSPA State Convention is Oct. 20 at Coffman Memorial Union on the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus. Registration begins at 8 a.m. The day concludes by 2 p.m. Join us to keep the year heading in the right direction!

Our line-up of professional speakers includes professionals who have worked in newsrooms around the nation; members of the faculty at the University of Minnesota’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication; yearbook publishing professionals; and experienced Minnesota media advisers.

Information for the state convention was mailed to MHSPA members and recent members in August. The deadline for the reduced rate of $10 per delegate at the MHSPA State Convention is Oct. 13. After that, rates will increase to $15 per delegate. Non-members pay $20. Registering for the convention obligates your publication to pay for the number of students registered (no refunds, but substitutions are OK). We have some fantastic local journalists lined up, including keynote speaker Jason DeRusha, a reporter for WCCO-TV, who is active on Facebook, Twitter, his blog and Web cam. We’ll also announce the state winners of best publication and the winners of MHSPA Gold Medallions.

Download the registration forms:

2009 State Convention Flyer

2009 State Convention Registration Form

Let’s kick off the school year! Whether your classes have started or are about to, you need a break. Come learn more about plans for this school year and meet your peers at the “Welcome Back” no-host social on Sept. 3.
Who: Minnesota journalism educators
What: A chance to network and relax before the school year gets too crazy
When: Sept. 3, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Psycho Suzi’s
Why: To build a network and share ideas
How: Food, beverages and conversation

Directions, menus and more are at the Psycho Suzi’s Web site.

Please RSVP with Emily Griesser at emily(at)studentpress(dot)org. At Psycho Suzie’s ask for Logan Aimone, or look for the group of journalism people having fun. Call Logan at (612) 770-2266 if you get lost.

Welcome Back 09 Flyer

We know one of the most significant factors in the success of student journalists is the adviser working with them. Good training and resources are vital. That’s why MHSPA, the Journalism Education Association and its state affiliate, the Journalism Educators of Minnesota, have combined for a special offer. New or returning members to JEA can qualify for a 50 percent discount on membership dues — a savings of $25. Download the attached flyer, complete it and return with payment.

Who qualifies:

• Teachers advising scholastic student media at a Minnesota high school or middle school/junior high school in 2009-10
• Can not have been JEA member at any time during the 2008-09 school year (prior years OK)

If you qualify, complete the form at the right. Send the form with your $25 check (payable to JEA) to:
Logan Aimone
MHSPA
2221 University Ave., Suite 121
Minneapolis MN 55414

We’ll take care of the other half of your membership fee and send it all to JEA. Direct any questions to logan(at)studentpress(dot)org or (612) 625-7359.

Act quickly, because this offer is limited to the first 25 qualified people who apply. Help us reach our goal of 25 more members in 2009-10!

JEA-MHSPA new member deal 09-10

The Minnesota High School Press Association is proud to present its 2009 Journalism Educator of the Year honor to Nick Fornicoia of Eastview High School in Apple Valley and adviser to the Flash and 4Cast broadcast programs. Fornicoia was honored at the broadcast department’s end-of-the-year banquet at the school on May 31, 2009.

Few scholastic broadcast organizations are as accomplished as Eastview’s and few also demonstrate as much journalistic excellence. It takes a committed educator to establish the expectation for both quality production and journalism. As a result, the Eastview Flash and 4Cast have been among the top-recognized programs in Minnesota and nationally:
•    17 Regional Emmys
•    Awards from Student Television Network and Channel One
•    Winners in MHSPA broadcast contests with Minnesota Wild
•    MHSPA Gold Medallion winners
•    Featured on Web sites and broadcasts locally and nationally
•    More than 250 students participating in broadcast journalism this year
•    Dozens of students earning high honors and pursuing careers in broadcast journalism

His colleague in the broadcast department, Dr. Tyler Krebs, says Fornicoia is “a tireless worker and is well admired by our faculty, administration and all of his students. He has the unique ability to use his humor and intelligence in the classroom and in the athletic arena to relate to a wide ability range of students.”

This past February, the deadline for the Journalism Education Association’s Journalist of the Year competition came and went without any portfolios being received in our state. Therefore, no Minnesota student was represented at the National High School Journalism Convention in Phoenix. MHSPA and Journalism Educators of Minnesota are offering one more chance to submit portfolios to be recognized for exemplary work. Participants must be seniors planning on majoring in journalism and/or mass communications and whose advisers are members of the Journalism Education Association.

The winner will receive a $300 scholarship from Journalism Educators of Minnesota. Entries must be received by May 15. The portfolio must fill the requirements listed on the flyer, which can be downloaded here: Updated Journalist of the Year Flyer

Download the official entry form: Journalist of the Year Application

Mail entries to:

Laurie Hansen
Stillwater Area High School
5701 Stillwater Blvd. N
Stillwater, MN 55082

Journalism is changing, and successful students and advisers know the value of attending a summer workshop designed to train, motivate and inspire for the challenges of what comes next. Producing quality publications means staying ahead of the curve and on top of new skills. Join us in Minneapolis this summer for some intense journalism and learn to produce content under pressure!

NSPA offers discounts for bringing groups of 5 or 10. Scholarships are available.

Get the brochure with registration form.

Workshops:
Redesign for the 21st Century (Bernadette Tucker Cranmer, California): Refresh your newspaper or yearbook pages with new ideas.

Photojournalism and Multimedia (Tim Morley, Michigan)
Capture stunning images then package them with multimedia.

Advanced Writing (Jim Streisel, Indiana)
Go beyond the inverted pyramid and add heart to your stories.

Editorial Leadership (Lori Keekley, Minnesota)
Learn to lead your newspaper or yearbook staff effectively.

Advising Publications (Laurie Hansen, Minnesota)
Gain strategies for success regardless of your experience level.

MHSPA GOLD MEDALLIONS

MHSPA members may now submit entries for the MHSPA Gold Medallions, which recognize excellence in print, broadcast and online media. New this year is the category for online media, with sub-categories for Web site general excellence and for multimedia package.

All Minnesota high school and junior high school student journalists are eligible for the awards. MHSPA members enter for free. Non-members pay $5 per entry. Entries must arrive (not be postmarked) at MHSPA by Sept. 11, 2009, to be eligible. MHSPA recommends that advisers review all entries prior to submission. Winners will be announced at MHSPA’s Minnesota State High School Journalism Convention in October 2009. Winners will receive award certificates. MHSPA reserves the right to publish winners and submissions on its Web site and in its publications.

All entries must have been published or broadcast during the 2008-2009 school year. Two entries from each school may be entered in each sub-category. Each entry should be submitted as a complete, full-page tear sheet from a newspaper, or a full page/spread of a yearbook or magazine. Entries that are not the whole spread should be outlined in red. Entries in Yearbook Theme/Concept Package should carefully unbind all relevant pages from the book and include just those pages together. Yearbook staffs that do not receive their 2009 book in time for the Sept. 11 deadline may send proofs or computer printouts of their spreads. Broadcast entries should be submitted on DVDs. Online entries should be submitted on a separate sheet of paper with complete URL. Online category is open to any member.

Use the form below and submit to the MHSPA office by Sept. 11, 2009.

2009 Gold Medallion Entry Form

ALL-STATE RECOGNITION

The Journalism Educators of Minnesota and the Minnesota High School Press Association co-sponsor general excellence in print publications (newspapers, newsmagazines, yearbooks and literary magazines). Submit your publication by Sept. 11, 2009, to the address on the form below. Entry fee is $10.

2009 All-State Publication Entry Form

Just in time for spring awards ceremonies, MHSPA is pleased to recognize the scholars and leaders who are also student journalists from around Minnesota. Send in the form by May 8, and we’ll send a certificate. Requirements are below:
All-Minnesota Editors — Two years on a staff, including one year as an editor; 3.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
All-Minnesota Journalists — One full year on a staff; 3.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Distinguished Journalists — Two years on a staff; 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Students may only apply for one of the honors. Advisers must write a brief letter of verification and recommendation. Grade verification is also required.

All-Minnesota Forms

On Feb. 17, about 30 print, photo and broadcast student journalists attended a Minnesota Wild team practice at the Xcel Energy Center. Students met with the MN Wild staff, local professional journalists and player Cal Clutterbuck. Students produced photos, stories and broadcasts and competed for the top spot in each category. The winners this year are Sam Oldenburg from Owatonna High School in the photo category and Elise Butler from St. Paul Academy in the print category. The broadcast winning entry is by Eoin Small and Alex Halfand from St. Paul Academy.

View the winning entries and comments from the judges below.

Link to Elise Butler’s winning story

Print judge comments: “The stories were all quite impressive, but this one stood out for its completeness — the way it hit all necessary points while keeping the narrative flowing and interesting. Another big point in its favor is that it is free of hyperboles that mar some of the other stories. It makes very good use of quotes, balancing them with helpful paragraphs that lead the reader along. The lead and the conclusion are also very well crafted. Overall, it reads like a professional’s story — kudos to this student!”

Photo judge comments: “It shows some real originality in thinking — a ‘portrait without a person’ so to speak. The image also follows some basic photographic principles (rule of thirds, for example). Balance and color are good, too.”

Broadcast judge comments: “This was, in my view, the best use of video story telling.
Strengths were:
1) Story structure: The story gave us a tease early on (the walking interview) about what would be ahead, including an interview with one of the players. The story then built up to that interview.
2) Soundbites: You let the people tell the story and gave us just enough narration to string the story together
3) Visual style: Some interesting camera shots, including the use of two cameras during the player interview, which visually reinforced that this was the big moment … also nice was the high angle, wide shot of the television producer explaining her job.”