Hays High School qualified 16 students for state after taking 23 awards in 19 events at the regional journalism competition on Feb. 25 at Fort Hays State University.
The annual contest featured schools from throughout Kansas ranging from 1A-6A. Although Hays students competed at Fort Hays, they were in fact competing against other 5A/6A schools from the “Ad Astra Regional.” It was one of six 5A/6A contests that took place.
Schools competing for state qualifications with Hays were Maize, Wichita Northwest, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, Pittsburg, Andover Central, Wichita South and Derby.
In order to qualify for state, students had to place first, second or third in any event or receive an honorable mention. Up to three honorable mentions were awarded in each category.
Those who participated in digital entries could place in a variety of categories: Academics Photography, Advertising, Headline Writing and Design, Infographics, News Page Design, Photo Illustration, Sports Photography, Student Life Photography, Yearbook Layout and Yearbook Theme and Graphics.
On-site contests included Copy Editing, Sports Writing, Editorial Cartoon, Yearbook Copy Writing, Feature Writing, News Writing, Cutline Writing, Editorial Writing and Yearbook Sports Writing.
This is the first year since 2014 that Hays has competed at the 5A/6A level. During the last four years, Hays competed in the 3A/4A division and enjoyed considerable success, winning three state championships and placing second once.
“The competition gets much tougher in 5A/6A, simply because of the size of the schools and the number of students those schools have to pick from for their journalism programs,” adviser Bill Gasper said. “I’m so pleased with how our students performed in our regional. They worked hard to prepare for the contest and I know they are determined to do well at state. I have great students who are really dedicated and who want to produce award-winning contest entries and publications.”
Hays will travel to Lawrence on May 4 for the state competition, where they will face off against winners from the other five regionals.
Regional results:
Contest A: Copy Editing
Third place: senior Isabelle Braun
Contest C: Editorial Cartoon
First place: senior Scout Perryman
Honorable mention: sophomore Levi Weilert
Contest D: Yearbook Copywriting
Second place: sophomore Caitlin Leiker
Honorable mention: senior Alyssa Underwood
Contest E: Feature Writing
First place: sophomore Allison Brooks
Third place: junior Allison Hillebrand
Contest G: Cutline Writing
Honorable mention: seniors Alyssa Underwood and Emily George
Contest H: Editorial Writing
First place: sophomore Alicia Feyerherm
Honorable mention: senior Isabelle Braun
Contest J: Yearbook Sports
Honorable mention: sophomore Anna Brull and senior Jacob Maska
Contest K: Academics Photography
Third place: senior Kaitlyn Brown
Contest N: Headline Writing and Design
First place: senior Isabelle Braun
Honorable mention: sophomore Anna Brull
Contest P: Infographics
Third place: senior Brittani Park
Contest Q: News Page Design
Honorable mention: senior Isabelle Braun
Contest R: Photo Illustration
First place: junior Paige PolifkaDenson
Contest S: Sports Photography
Third place: senior Jacob Maska
Contest U: Yearbook Layout
Third place: senior Emily George
Honorable mention: senior Alyssa Underwood
Contest V: Yearbook Theme and Graphics
Third place: junior Emma Pfannenstiel
— Submitted