This past week, Westside journalism has been named the 2013 Class A1 State Journalism Champions. The competition was determined first by a preliminary sweepstakes where place-winners in each category received points for their school. First place received three points, second place received two points, and third place received one point.

“I was really excited…I was gunning for it a little bit more this year and was hoping we could pull it out,” said Newspaper and Yearbook instructor Rod Howe who is retiring this year, “It’s a good way to go out.”

Westside dominated the competition winning with 41 points. Millard West was the runner-up with only 27 total points. Place-winners in written and spread design categories are qualified for the state individual competition on May 13 in Lincoln.

“We had contributions in terms of place-winning from magazine, newspaper, and newspaper. There have been years where it is heavily newspaper because there are more categories for newspaper, but it was fun that this year it came from all of the journalism productions,” said Howe.

Below are the categories and students who have placed for each.

Advertising: Eva Phillips, third place

Editorial Writing: Tom Schueneman, first place; Joe Hack, second place

Graphic Illustration: Eva Phillips, first place; Samantha Steed, second place; Allie Laing, third place

In-Depth Newspaper Coverage: (Eva Phillips, Emma Johanningsmeier, Aren Rendell, Kellie Wasikowski, Joe Hack, Samantha Steed), Climate Change, first place; (Joe Hack, Aren Rendell, Andrew McVea, Kellie Wasikowski, Zane Fletcher, Sophie Goldberg), Concussions, third place

News Writing: Emma Johanningsmeier, third place

News/Feature Photography: John Ficenec, second place; Clair Selby, third place

Newspaper Layout: Eva Phillips, first place; Goldberg, second place

Photo Illustration: Sophie Goldberg, third place

Sports Feature Writing: Aren Rendell, second place

Sports News Writing: Aren Rendell, third place

Sports Action Photography: Amy Elliot-Meisel, first place

Yearbook Layout: Sonia Schrager, second place

Yearbook Sports Feature Writing: Sonia Schrager, first place

Yearbook Theme Copy Writing: Sonia Schrager, first place

Newspaper Feature Writing: Kellie Wasikowski, third place