“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.