Journalism students bring home top awards

Students from the high school journalism class show the awards they won at the state conference.

Fifteen Mountain Home High School students garnered awards at the annual state journalism conference held Feb. 1 and 2 at Idaho State University in Pocatello.

Earning first place and taking home gold medals were Emily Crighton for sports photography, Kaylee Buckley for newspaper layout, Katelyn Ackley for yearbook academic writing, Valeria Juarez for yearbook club writing and Katie Urquidi for yearbook layout.

Taking second-place awards were Erika Cook for feature writing, Emily Stephens for editorial writing, Felicity Walters for news writing, Kaitie Blalock for sports writing, Chad Schrader for student life photography and Megan Heinen for photo illustration.

Third place winners were Marly Olaso for yearbook student life writing, Marion DeVore for review writing, Mike Parkinson for yearbook photography and Justin Schmidt for broadcast news story.

While at the conference, the students also attended workshops in newspaper and yearbook writing, design and photography.

"I was really pleased with the individual awards," said newspaper adviser Travis DeVore.

"Everyone that competed placed in their category, which showed how hard they worked to prepare for this event."