Highlander Publications staffers jet to Denver

Bella Stechschulte, Photographer|April 21, 2015

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After the Highlander news magazine did not place at the fall JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention (NHSJC) in Washington D.C., the staffers knew what they needed to do to place the next time around.

And they did just that.

The journalists took home eighth place in Best of Show for the winter trimester newsmagazine.

On Wednesday, April 15, eight publication staffers and Mrs. Rachel Rauch, adviser, traveled to Denver, Colo., for the spring NHSJC. The convention was held at the Sheraton Downtown Denver and proved successful for the journalists.

The team consisted of many veterans, along with some new faces as well. “Having the opportunity to attend three national conventions has been both inspiring and motivating. I have gained invaluable knowledge and am excited to apply it both in the classroom and in life,” Nicole Martin, senior, said.

During the day, the journalists attended classes in hopes of learning how Highlander Publications can further improve its designs, writing, and photography.

“Whenever I attend a journalism convention, I always take away something new. Each class I go to inspires me with new ideas and shows me different perspectives,” Katya Mikhailenko, sophomore, said.

Nights were filled with lots of food, photos and shopping, with the group exploring bustling 16th Street and Larimer Square.

“Denver is one of the most unique places that I have ever traveled to,” Molly Riebau, junior, said. “It’s a mix of modern and traditional.”

All eight of the members participated in contests at the convention and six of them walked away with awards. Riebau won the Superior award in Newsmagazine Layout Design, while Excellent awards were given to Elizabeth Huskin, junior, in Yearbook Cover and Endsheets and Bella Stechschulte, senior, in News Writing. Honorable mentions went to Sydney Roeper, junior, in Graphic Design: Photo Illustration, Anna Kreynin, junior, in Feature Writing and Emily Hannemann, senior, in Sports Writing.

The convention reassures that the Highlander Publications staff is one of the best in the nation and that it is only getting better from here.

According to Mrs. Rauch, “The results affirm that we are on the right track and starting to compete against powerhouse programs that have been doing this for decades.”

Anna Kreynin, junior, excitedly holds her honorable mention award for feature writing at the 2015 Spring National High School Journalism Convention on Sunday, April 19. Kreynin also won honorable mention for feature writing at the fall convention in Washington DC. “I am happy with my award, but I know what I need to do next time to hopefully win a better one,” Kreynin said.
Bella StechschulteAnna Kreynin, junior, holds her Honorable Mention award for Feature Writing at the 2015 spring National High School Journalism Convention on Sunday, April 19. Kreynin also won Honorable Mention in Feature Writing at the fall convention in Washington DC. “I am happy with my award, but I know what I need to do next time to hopefully win a better one,” Kreynin said. 

Emily Hannemann, senior, holds her certificate after winning honorable mention in sports writing at the 2015 Spring National High School Journalism Convention. This was Hannemanns first convention and proved successful for the budding writer. “I wasn’t expecting to win anything but was so surprised, thrilled and proud that I did,” Hannemann said.
Bella Stechschulte
Emily Hannemann, senior, holds her certificate after winning Honorable Mention in Sports Writing at the NHSJC. This was Hannemann’s first convention and proved successful for the aspiring writer. “I wasn’t expecting to win anything, but was so surprised, thrilled and proud that I did,” Hannemann said.
Molly Riebau, junior, smiles happily with her medal and certificate after winning the superior award for Newsmagazine: layout. This was Riebaus third convention but first time she won a superior. “Winning the superior award for magazine design is the first thing I have ever won on my own, not on a team. It’s cool to be recognized as an individual for the work that I did,” Riebau said.
Bella Stechschulte
Molly Riebau, junior, smiles with her medal and certificate after winning the Superior award for Newsmagazine: layout. This was Riebau’s third convention but first time winning a Superior. “Winning the Superior award for magazine design is the first thing I have ever won on my own, not as a team. It’s cool to be recognized as an individual for the work that I did,” Riebau said.
Elizabeth Huskin, junior, poses with her certificate after winning Excellent in the category of yearbook cover/endsheets. Huskin designed a yearbook cover along with endsheets before Highlander Publications traveled to Denver, CO. “I was very surprised when I won and I am super proud of my work,” Huskin said.
Bella Stechschulte
Elizabeth Huskin, junior, poses with her certificate after winning Excellent in the category of Yearbook cover/endsheets. Huskin designed a yearbook cover along with endsheets before Highlander Publications traveled to Denver, CO. “I was very surprised when I won and I am super proud of my work,” Huskin said.
Sydney Roeper, junior, holds her certificate after winning Honorable Mention in the category of Graphic Design: Photo Illustration at the 2015 Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Denver, CO. Roeper went to Washington DC for the fall convention as well. “I was so excited when my name was called for honorable mention. I worked really hard on my design and it paid off,” Roeper said.
Bella Stechschulte
Sydney Roeper, junior, holds her certificate after winning Honorable Mention in the category of Graphic Design: Photo Illustration. Roeper went to Washington DC for the fall convention as well. “I was so excited when my name was called for honorable mention. I worked really hard on my design and it paid off,” Roeper said.
Bella Stechschulte, senior, poses after winning Excellent for feature writing. This was Stechschulte's first convention. "During the write off I thought I would never win an award because writing the article was so hard. When my name was called I was shocked but also very excited," Stechschulte said.
Elizabeth Huskin
Bella Stechschulte, senior, poses after winning Excellent for News Writing. This was Stechschulte’s first convention. “During the write off I thought I would never win an award because writing the article was so hard. When my name was called I was shocked but also very excited,” Stechschulte said.
The girls enjoyed walking the streets of Downtown Denver. Larimer Square was a frequented location that provided many fun things to do. “We loved this street because of the awesome lights and flags hanging above it and on one end of the road you could see the mountains in the distance,” Nicole Martin, senior, said.
Bella Stechschulte
The journalists enjoyed walking the streets of downtown Denver. Larimer Square was a frequented location that provided many fun things to do. “We loved this street because of the awesome lights and flags hanging above it and on one end of the road you could see the mountains in the distance,” Nicole Martin, senior, said.
Molly Riebau, junior, shows her excitement after the Highlander Newsmagazine places 8th Best of Show at the 2015 Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Denver, CO. After the news magazine did not place at the Fall National Convention, the staff tweaked some work. “Winning Best of Show as a first year magazine was incredible, and it was great to achieve my goal of placing at the Denver convention,” Riebau said.
Bella Stechschulte
Molly Riebau, junior, shows her excitement after the Highlander Newsmagazine places 8th Best of Show at the 2015 Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Denver, CO. After the news magazine did not place at the Fall National Convention, the staff tweaked some work. “Winning Best of Show as a first year magazine was incredible, and it was great to achieve my goal of placing at the Denver convention,” Riebau said.
The Highlander Publications certificate for 8th place Best of Show Newsmagazine. The staff recieved this award at The Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Denver, CO. “When we saw two amazing Missouri schools place 9th and 10th we thought that we didn’t have a chance of winning, so when our name was called for 8th everyone screamed and we were all so happy,” Sydney Roeper, junior, said.
Bella Stechschulte
The Highlander Publications certificate for 8th place Best of Show Newsmagazine. The staff recieved this award at The Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Denver, CO. “When we saw two amazing Missouri schools place 9th and 10th we thought that we didn’t have a chance of winning, so when our name was called for 8th everyone screamed and we were all so happy,” Sydney Roeper, junior, said.
Tattered Cover Bookstore is a local bookshop in Downtown Denver. Four journalists, Katya Mikhailenko, sophomore, Anna Kreynin, junior, Nicole Martin, senior, and Bella Stechschulte, senior, participated in team storytelling at the Spring National High School Journalism Convention and wrote a story on the shop. “It was really fun to be able to explore Downtown Denver and find a local store with such a cool story,” Kreynin said.
Bella Stechschulte
Tattered Cover Bookstore is a local bookshop in Downtown Denver. Four journalists, Katya Mikhailenko, sophomore, Anna Kreynin, junior, Nicole Martin, senior, and Bella Stechschulte, senior, participated in team storytelling at the Spring National High School Journalism Convention and wrote a story on the shop. “It was really fun to be able to explore Downtown Denver and find a local store with such a cool story,” Kreynin said.
Katya Mikhailenko, sophomore, and Anna Kreynin, junior, explore Downtown Denver at the Spring National High School Journalism Convention. When classes ended the girls were able to get a feel of the cities. “Denver was such a cool place to have the convention, there were so many fun things to do and everything was close together,” Mikhailenko said.
Katya Mikhailenko, sophomore, and Anna Kreynin, junior, explore Downtown Denver at the Spring National High School Journalism Convention. When classes ended the girls were able to get a feel of the cities. “Denver was such a cool place to have the convention, there were so many fun things to do and everything was close together,” Mikhailenko said.
Highlander Publication staffers, Anna Kreynin, Bella Stechschulte, Molly Riebau, Elizabeth Huskin, Sydney Roeper, Katya Mikhailenko, Nicole Martin, and Emily Hannemann all pose for a picture during a night on the town. The team traveled to Denver, CO for the Spring National High School Journalism Convention. "Spending time with other staff members outside the classroom really helped us all become closer," Martin said.
Highlander Publication staffers, Anna Kreynin, Bella Stechschulte, Molly Riebau, Elizabeth Huskin, Sydney Roeper, Katya Mikhailenko, Nicole Martin, and Emily Hannemann all pose for a picture during a night on the town. The team traveled to Denver, CO for the Spring National High School Journalism Convention. “Spending time with other staff members outside the classroom really helped us all become closer,” Martin said.