PENNSYLVANIA (special) – For local high school journalists, the quest to become a State Champion commenced once again when the Pennsylvania School Press Association opened up its Sixth Annual State Journalism Contests. On October 31, students from all over central Pennsylvania traveled to Juniata College with hopes of advancing to the State Finals held at Penn State Main on March 25, 2020. 

​PSPA Board member and site coordinator Nate Thompson expressed his appreciation for several aspects about the event. “I am so thankful institutions like Harrisburg Area Community College truly advocate and support journalism in Pennsylvania schools. They have hosted our regional event for the last four years. On behalf of PSPA, I simply must thank Lizabeth Kranzel, Natalie Toma, Brandon Sheppard, Lori Firedlander and all the other staff of HACC who worked to make this all happen."

"I also need to give a shout-out to all our guest presenters: Anna Orso, reporter from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Karissa Tumbusch from Jostens Yearbooks, Sam Miller, founder of Vidjam, and Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz, filmmaker," Sands added. "Because of everyone’s efforts, 16 student journalists from some of our outstanding south-central PA schools have advanced to the State Championships.”

Contests involved literary design, photography, copywriting, sports-writing, editorial cartoon, broadcast media, and poetry talents. Only the top-scoring competitors in each Regional contest category qualified to attend the State Finals. PSPA proudly announces the following students as 2019-20 State Finalists:

• Alivia Melius - Yearbook Caption Writing - Tussey Mountain HS
  
• Karley Miller- Yearbook Copy Writing - New Day Charter School
  
• Lexie Reed - Yearbook Sports Story Writing - Juniata Valley HS
  
• Maggie Parks - Yearbook Spread Design - Tyrone Area HS
  
• Sarah Ambrose - Newspaper News Story Writing - State College Area HS
  
• Sierra Hockenbury - Newspaper Feature Writing - State College Area HS
  
• Troy Walker - Newspaper Sports Story Writing - Bellwood-Antis HS (tie)
  
• Quincy Steidle - Newspaper Sports Story Writing - State College Area HS (tie)
  
• Kaitlin Raifsnider - Editorial Cartoon - Juniata Valley HS
  
• Adrita Talukder - Editorial Writing - State College Area HS
  
• Autumn Hoover - Literary Magazine Poetry - Tussey Mountain HS
  
• Rachel Brubaker - Literary Magazine Artwork - Juniata Valley HS
  
• Auden Yurman - Yearbook Photography - State College Area HS
  
• Lucia Isenberg - Newspaper Photography - Tyrone Area HS (tie)
  
• Lindsey Walk - Newspaper Photography - Tyrone Area HS (tie)
  
• Olivia Zhang - Broadcast News Package - State College Area HS
  
• Ella Simpson - Broadcast Feature Package - State College Area HS

The Pennsylvania School Press Association originated in 1925 and stands as one of the oldest scholastic journalistic organizations in the country. The group presently is headquartered in Manchester, PA and welcomes all to apply for membership. For details, visit www.paschoolpress.org.

​

PENNSYLVANIA (special) – For local high school journalists, the quest to become a State Champion commenced once again when the Pennsylvania School Press Association opened up its Sixth Annual State Journalism Contests. On October 18, 34 students from southwestern Pennsylvania traveled to Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the hopes of advancing to the State Finals held at Penn State Main on March 25, 2020. PSPA President Paul Fantaski expressed his appreciation for several aspects about the event.

“It just amazes me how institutions like The Indiana Gazette and IUP truly advocate and super-support journalism in Pennsylvania schools. On behalf of PSPA, I simply must thank Hastie Kinter from the Gazette and everyone else who met over and over to make this all happen. Because of those efforts, 18 student journalists from outstanding southwestern PA schools have advanced to the State Championships.”

Contests involved literary design, photography, copywriting, sports-writing, editorial cartoon, broadcast media, and poetry talents. Only the top-scoring competitors in each Regional contest category qualified to attend the State Finals. PSPA proudly announces the following students as 2019-20 State Finalists:

• Bailey Hamilton - Yearbook Caption Writing - Kiski Area HS (tie for 1st)
• Rachel Helsel - Yearbook Caption Writing - Kiski Area HS (tie for 1st)
• Chandler McGuire - Yearbook Copy Writing - Kiski Area HS HS
• Eddie Fuhrer - Newspaper Sports Story Writing - Kiski Area HS HS
• Amber McGihon - Newspaper News Story Writing - Franklin Regional HS
• Debra Spaid - Newspaper News Story Writing - Purchase Line Area HS
• Emmet Jamieson - Newspaper Feature Writing - Punxsutawney Area HS
• Luke Rainey - Newspaper Sports Story Writing - Penns Manor Area Jr./Sr. HS
• Brice Hoculock - Editorial Cartoon - Kiski Area HS
• Louise Bennett - Editorial Writing - Punxsutawney Area HS
• Sean Adamski - Literary Magazine Poetry - Kiski Area HS
• Alyssa Poleski - Literary Magazine Artwork - Kiski Area HS (tie for 1st)
• Jack Coleman - Literary Magazine Artwork - Kiski Area HS (tie for 1st)
• Anna Buggy - Broadcast Writing - Penns Manor Area Jr./Sr. HS
• Martina Webb - Yearbook Photography - Kiski Area HS
• Colin Matz - Newspaper Photography - Purchase Line Area HS
• Angelina Pampena - Broadcast Feature - Franklin Regional HS
• Olivia Ciotti - Broadcast News Package - Franklin Regional HS

The Pennsylvania School Press Association originated in 1925 and stands as one of the oldest scholastic journalistic organizations in the country. The group presently is headquartered in Manchester, PA and welcomes all to apply for membership. For details, visit www.paschoolpress.org.