Each remaining Friday this summer, IWPA’s 3rd Vice President and Professional Contest Chair Ana Mendez will shine a spotlight on some of our 2018 High School Contest Winners. This week’s featured school is Homewood Flossmoor…

Homewood Flossmoor High School : District 233

IWPA’s 2018 High School Contest accepted 113 entries in 23 different categories from students of all genders attending public and private schools across Illinois. This year Homewood Flossmoor High School took first place in five different categories.

  • Single Page Layout “Freshman Tips from Seniors” – Vanessa Pitts
  • Radio Prepared Report “Concussions” – Gabrielle Caldanaro
  • Video Feature Story “Alumni Spotlight”- Francisco Mendoza
  • Video News Story “Why We March” – Nora Ryan & Josie Bachus
  • Video Sports Story – Zac Lueder & Jack Williams

Categories and topics cross genres and mediums to focus on issues these students are passionate about. Yearbooks become mementos, the design of the pages capturing time and aesthetic for students who will look back on moments of youthful happiness. Radio was used to deliver a relevant report on sports-induced injuries, a true concern for any high school athlete. The use of video reporting featured prominently in other winning entries, and we thank Viking Broadcasting  for making these opportunities available to students. Video topics include: an honest piece about the Women’s March in Chicago, a feature that honors a distinguished alumni, and a PSA on the realities of drunk driving.

In addition to the first place acknowledgements, Homewood Flossmoor High School took home the coveted Silver Pen Award for the highest number of winning contest entries overall.

Flossmoor High School’s journalistic integrity shines through the diverse work being created in an open environment that fosters questioning and debate. We congratulate these students, as well as their supportive advisors, for dedicating themselves to developing communications skills across disciplines. As the future of our profession, we have high expectations and openly support your future endeavors.