Results:
Newswriting
Judges comments:
Contestants demonstrated solid writing skills but need more practice with journalistic style. Strong entries demonstrated effective organizations and good use of well-chosen quotes.
Recommendations:
Work on a clear, concise lead that guides the rest of the story and avoid editorializing; especially in the final paragraph.
Honorable mention:
Grace Frunk, Kentlake High School
Nicole Beauvais, Rogers High School
Olivia Poolos, University Place
Shannong Hong, Ingelmoor High School
Excellent:
Lucille Shield, Mercer Island High School
Emma Cooney, Seattle Prep
Editorial writing:
Judges comments:
Good reporting, thoughtful analysis, generally good conclusions, overall impressive work.
Recommendations:
Write tighter and shorter. Less newsy, less reporting. Conclusions that call readers to action.
Honorable mention:
R. Grady Short, Mercer Island High School
Madison Marko, Kentlake High School
Khaleah Nix, Emerald Ridge High School
Megan Munson, Inglemoor High School
Excellent:
Andrew Flury, Puyallup High School
PJ Sills, Auburn Riverside High School
Allie Perez, Anacortes High School
Beatrice Cappio, University Prep
Superior:
Jay Kent, Clevelend High School
News Feature:
Judges comments:
All did well in picking out good quotes and details, good bones. Those who excelled exhibited great narrative structure with strong ledes and closings. Clean copy for all.
Recommendations:
Choose quotes judiciously and set them up well. Lack of time/place references. Nobody described her in a way we could picture her. Work on properly splitting up paragraphs.
Honorable mention:
Walid Cruz-Vanegas, Seattle Prep
Smantha Svikel, Mountlake Terrace High School
Molly House, Cleveland High School
Anna Witt, Anacortes High School
Madison Morgan, Kamiakin High School
Arjun Thomas, Shorewood High School
Excellent:
Anna Ingraham, University Prep
Sophie Poole, Mercer Island High School
Alexandra Kube, Glacier Peak High School
Kaylea Agate, Ingemoor High School
Superior:
Haley Keizur, Puyallup High School
Henry Graham, Nathan Hale High School
Yearbook Feature Writing:
Judges comments:
The best yearbook features provide a keen insight into the subject’s personality as well as giving readers context. Anecdotes and quotes are chosen because they capture the essence of the subject, not because the person said them.
Honorable mention:
Liz Schwartzhoff, Glacier Peak High School
Emily Van Bergeyk, Puyallup High School
Jackson Freund, Mountlake Terrace High School
Sports Feature:
Judges comments:
The best entries in sports feature writing blended timely anecdotes with the attributes of the presenter’s ideals to present an overall vision of the speaker. The very best entries provided color to the story.
Recommendations:
Have a lede that grabs the readers and provide a story that moves beyond the mere listing of quotes.
Honorable Mention:
Jaime Goldberg, Puyallup High School
Ethan Preston, Mercer Island High School
Annika Prom, Mountlake Terrace High School
Excellent:
Aditi Jain, Inglemoor High School
Superior:
Nick Mullineux-Perrault, Glacier Peak High School
Review Writing:
Judges comments:
Overall, well written and on topic, nice use of details showing the five senses and emotion of the film. Good writing style and mechanics.
Recommendations:
Work on showing not telling, using specific observations. Don’t be afraid to tell your opinion in this style of writing and back up with rationale and claims.
Honorable mention:
Marin Nielsen, Lake Stevens High School
Excellent:
Nolan James, Kentlake High School
Isabel Funk, Mercer Island High School
Superior:
Maya Holt, Inglemoor High School
Editorial Cartooning:
Judges comments:
Most entries had a clear message that would resonate with students. Lots of artistic talent.
Recommendations:
Some images could benefit from decluttering. Be sure there is a balance, do not write too much text.
Honorable mention:
Alyssa Shrader, Auburn Riverside High School
Excellent:
Sierra Clark, Mountlake Terrace High School
Rachel Lawson, Inglemoor High School
Superior:
Moses Kent, Seattle Prep
Headline writing/Copy editing:
Judges comments:
Headlines were mostly accurate. Copy editing was generally strong, good eye for details.
Recommendations:
Pay attention to libel! Pay attention to hyphenation rules.
Honorable Mention:
Annika Trebilcock, Puyallup High School
Brandon Tenny, Cleveland High School
Excellent:
Ethan Hosler, Emerald Ridge High School
Audrie Saulters, Inglemoor High School
Superior:
Annika Bhananker, Mercer Island High School
Newspaper Layout:
Judges comments:
Layout generally contained a strong visual center. Good use of infographics and pull quotes, nice to move beyond just text and headlines and photos.
Recommendations:
If you are going to design a double-page/center spread, make sure it crosses the gutter.
Honorable mention:
Ellie Gottesman, Mercer Island High School
Excellent:
Oliver Hopcroft, Inglemoor High School
Yearbook layout:
Judges comments:
All contestants embraced the use of modular design. They also used a variety of formats (Q&A, graphs and polls). Excellent photo selections.
Recommendations:
Use a clearer center of visual interest to draw the reader’s eye. Use white space more effectively. Highlight the most important element by making it bigger.
Honorable mention:
Steven Mai, Cleveland High School
Excellent:
Marianne Nacanaynay, Mountlake Terrace High School
Blake Beltran, Glacier Peak High School
Feature photography:
Judges comments:
Strong entries overall.
Recommendations:
Show us no more than one photo that is very similar to the others (i.e. more variety).
Excellent:
Annie Poole, Mercer Island High School
Superior:
Andrew Aggergaard, Anacortes High School
Akira Copeland, Cleveland High School
Sports Photo (YB&NP):
Judges comments:
Strong moments, excelling timing in many entries.
Recommendations:
Those who gave us the widest variety fared the best.
Honorable mention:
Lydia Sourichanh, Cleveland High School
Excellent:
Asher Gannon, Glacier Peak High School
Superior:
Tina Dang, Cleveland High School