Highlander Publications paces its way to success in Washington

Aaron Glazer, Editor-in-Chief|November 17, 2014

The Highlander Publications team is all smiles after winning the Newspaper Pacemaker Award for The Highlander at the National High School Journalism Convention in Washington, DC. This was the third national convention that Highlander Publications has attended. “It was an amazing, educational experience, and I learned so much from all the other aspiring journalists in the country,” Molly Riebau, junior, noted. Students who attended the trip include (back row): Kate Daniels, Aaron Glazer, Gaby Geiger, Anna Kreynin, Rachel Novak, Emma Wade, Katya Mikhailenko (front row): Kelly Allen, Molly Riebau, Adviser Rachel Rauch, Sydney Roeper, Emma Zander (not pictured): Sydney Crivello, Beth Emery.

Continuing to demonstrate prowess at the national level, the Highlander Publications team won the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) Newspaper Pacemaker Award on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014 at the Fall National High School Journalism Convention at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. This award reflects the highest mark a publications program can achieve in the realm of scholastic journalism.

Anna Kreynin, junior, also won an Honorable Mention award in the category of Feature Writing. “It was a new experience to write under such pressure, but I learned a lot and was happy with the result,” Kreynin said.

While in Washington, the 13 students attended sessions specializing in design, yearbook, writing, broadcast, editorship and photography.

“Going to all the sessions allowed me to see different perspectives on a lot of the things I do every day, and learning so many new things really inspired me,” Katya Mikhailenko, sophomore, said.

The staffers also visited many traditional D.C. landmarks, such as the United States Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and the Newseum.

Overall, the trip affirms Highlander Publications as one of the nation’s elite journalism programs. “Publications is one of the most informal indicators of the success of a school, and when you have dedicated students, a committed teacher and an abundance of creative enthusiasm, Highlander Publications represents the type of excellence that we at Homestead strive for,” Mr. Brett Bowers, principal, said.