It’s not just taking pictures on the sideline and putting it into the yearbook, there’s more to it that students don’t see. The journalist students in A201 have been accomplishing great things and winning points in the past month from their dedication towards their pictures and stories.
Competition season is just heating up for UIL, but journalism students have been in competitions since the fall season.
From many contests, over 20 wildkat media students have placed in competitions winning points to their all state journalism. That is including Victoria Medina who has reached her goal of getting all state journalism three times.
“When I was taking pictures at graduation I knew I wanted to take pictures of my friend Melissa,” senior Victoria Medina said. “I really liked the lighting on the stage and the greenery so I thought the picture had potential to win something since not a lot of people submit graduation photos. When looking through my pictures to submit for the contest I thought it was a perfect example of a portrait, and just something different from the typical sports photography.”
For it only being his first year in journalism, Nolan Paugh has already achieved great things to get him going.
“It feels great considering that this is my first year in newspaper and first year taking pictures,” sophomore Nolan Paugh said. “I underestimated the photo in the moment because that was my very first time taking pictures at a game and I really didn’t think that much about it in the moment.”
Meet after meet, the journalist students continue to grow one after the other.
“I was ecstatic when I saw I placed in the Centex meet, especially since I didn’t place last time,” sophomore Kaylah Crabdree said. “It was a big surprise because I didn’t think I was going to place in any category. I’m really grateful for it so I can earn my all state journalism points.”
Getting so close to a goal only makes these journalists try even harder. They work for everything they have achieved while fighting through all the failures that have eventually paid off.
“Almost meeting my goal for all state journalism staff only makes me even more eager for the upcoming events/competitions that allow me an opportunity for more points,” junior Ashtyn King said. “Getting into Wildkat Media is the best decision I could’ve made for myself, as it has allowed me to explore and flourish in new activities that I didn’t know interested me. I’ve had the best time getting to build so many relationships, and I will be devastated to leave next year.”
Journalist teacher, Emily Meachen, expresses the gratitude she feels towards her students.
“We work really hard every day to tell the stories of every Wildkat,” Emily Meachen said. “The newspaper and yearbook staff is filled with a lot of talented writers and photographers. I am so proud they are being recognized on a state and national level for their talent. A lot of times journalism students are on the sidelines or behind the scenes. It is fun to see their reaction when they find out they are winning prizes for just telling stories and persevering memories.”
