On Thursday, Oct. 24, 23 yearbook and online publications students traveled to the University of Iowa to experience the Iowa High School Press Association (IHSPA) fall conference.
With roughly 700 student journalists, the IHSPA fall conference starts with an opening ceremony, where each school is introduced, which is then followed by a keynote speaker. Students then break out into sessions they choose to best represent their interests/needs.
At the end of the conference, all present news teams participate in the award ceremony. During said ceremony, multiple things are announced such as yearbook awards and the All Iowa News Team of the Year award.
The IHSPA judges select the News Teams of the Year from a field of finalist schools, all of which are determined by calculating points from the various contests throughout the year. Wahawk Insider was one of the five winning teams, along with our Yearbook team who took home 22 awards.
“It’s like the Superbowl of student journalism in Iowa,” says Wahawk Insider Print Editor-in-Chief, Jacy Gomez, “when we won it last year I thought ‘Wow, I want to be a part of that.'”
Gomez is a part of the Wahawk Insider editorial board consisting of herself and three other students: Kaylynn Crawford, Karma Goodson and Eli Johnson.
Gomez also shares that legacy plays such an important role in the excitement felt when awarded with News Team OTY. She states “What made it special was the legacy that the people made before us.”
Returning members of the Wahawk Insider team are not the only people who are excited about this honor. Senior Knya Dellit, a first-year reporter, shares that even though it is her first year on staff, she was immediately interested.
“I think being a senior and being able to share this moment with one of my best friends, Kaylynn, really helped make this so special,” Dellit shares “I was really proud of everyone because I see the effort everyone puts in inside and outside of class – I think there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes unappreciated.”
Journalism is something she is very passionate about, with hopes to pursue it after high school. “This is the first time I have ever been surrounded by people who love something as much as I do.”
Wahawk Insider has such a bright future ahead. Adviser Nicole Goodman says “I don’t think I can put into words just how proud I am of our student journalists. Our student newspaper was non-existent just three years ago. Through the passion and hard work of our reporters, our group has been able to make something great that will make an impact beyond our classroom.”
Goodman has hopes that the program will only grow from here. With a staff
of 13, it is difficult to cover the stories of 1,800 students. Along with the hope to expand, she wants to deepen the roots of the program, increasing in skill level along the way.
Goodman shares that her “heart was filled with so much joy” when Wahawk Insider was announced as one of the winners.
“One student has their jaw dropped practically on the floor, one was sobbing, one was jumping out of their seat. They were so excited and so was I. To see their pride for their work and school served as a good reminder as to why we do what we do,” Goodman says.
Sitting next to her was Dr. Andy Miehe, West High’s principal, who came along to be awarded the ‘Admin of the Year’ award. “I could feel the pride radiating off of him as well.”
If you see a member of the Wahawk Insider or Yearbook, make sure to congratulate them and thank them for all they do.
