1. Tribal Tribune, Wando HS, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

2. The Red & Black, Hillsborough HS, Tampa, Fla.

3. Panther’s Tale, Derby HS, Derby, Kan.

4. Marquette Messenger, Marquette HS, Chesterfield, Mo.

5. Hawkeye, Mountlake Terrace HS, Mountlake Terrace, Wash.

6. The Talon, Staley HS, Kansas City, Mo.

7. Blueprint, Columbus North HS, Columbus, Ind.

8. The Bear Facts, Lake Braddock HS, Burke, Va.

9. The Northwest Passage, Shawnee Mission Northwest HS, Shawnee, Kan.

10. Eagle’s View, Liberty North HS, Liberty, Mo.

Judge’s Comments: “The top special editions were timely and relevant, ranging from coverage of the Charleston shootings to changes in administration and policies and opening of school. Overall, the depth and breadth of the stories and the strength of writing were impressive, as were the photography and creativity of design.”

1. The Kirkwood Call, Kirkwood HS, Kirkwood, Mo.

2. North Star, Francis Howell North HS, St. Charles, Mo.

3. JagWire, Mill Valley HS, Shawnee, Kan.

4. West Side Story, Iowa City West HS, Iowa City, Iowa

5. The Triangle, Columbus North HS, Columbus, Ind.

6. Uncaged, Freedom HS, South Riding, Va.

7. The Roar, Whitney HS, Rocklin, Calif.

8. Le Journal, Notre Dame de Sion Prep School, Kansas City, Mo.

9. Central Focus, Francis Howell Central HS, St. Charles, Mo.

10. The Highlander, Homestead HS, Mequon, Wis.

Judge’s Comments: “The best newsmagazines combined in-depth and diverse coverage with clear, uncluttered design and attention-getting artwork and photography. The top winners all had at least one powerful story about a national issue localized for their audience and solid coverage of school events and students.”

1. Vibrato, Hockaday School, Dallas, Texas

2. The Rambler, Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif.

3. Shadows, Cactus Shadows HS, Cave Creek, Ariz.

4. Seeds, Dreyfoos School of the Arts, West Palm Beach, Fla.

5. First Flight, Torrey Pines HS, San Diego, Calif.

6. One Blue Wall, duPont Manual HS, Louisville, Ky.

7. The Muse, Northview HS, Johns Creek, Ga.

8. Apotheosis, Benilde-St. Margaret’s School, St. Louis Park, Minn.

9. The Lost Art, McKinney HS, McKinney, Texas

10. PenSoul, Bismarck HS, Bismarck, N.D.

Judge’s Comments: “A great variety of literary art magazines in the contest this convention. The strongest publications had strong writing, strong art and photography and a design that leads the reader to explore the content without getting in the way. But remember that white space is our friend and that a little leading can really open up the magazine.”

1. The Scroll, The American School in London, London, England

2. The Spectrum, Harvard-Westlake MS, Los Angeles, Calif.

Judge’s Comments: “Winning entries did an exemplary job of covering their schools with these first of the year editions. Strong writing/coverage were evident as well as some good layouts/designs.”

Junior High Yearbook

1. Stampede, Maize South MS, Wichita, Kan.

2. The Scrapbook, Westfield MS, Westfield, Ind.

3. Jamboree, Toby Johnson MS, Elk Grove, Calif.

4. Eagle Eye View, Sierra MS, Parker, Colo.

5. The Nighthawk, Rocky Heights MS, Highlands Ranch, Colo.

6. Sentry, Robinson MS, Fairfax, Va.

Judge’s Comments: “The winning entries combined good writing with intriguing design and some outstanding photography. Inclusion was evident as the books were full of quick reads featuring quotes from a multitude of students. These books are a true keepsake for the middle schoolers who attend these schools.”

1. Southwest Shadow, Southwest Career and Technical Academy, Las Vegas, Nev.
http://www.southwestshadow.com

2. Wingspan, West Henderson HS, Hendersonville, N.C.
http://www.wingspanonline.net

3. The Eagle, St. Thomas HS, Houston, Texas
http://theeagle.sths.org

4. The Fourcast, Hockaday School, Dallas, Texas
http://hockadayfourcast.org

5. Le Journal Live, Notre Dame de Sion Prep School, Kansas City, Mo.
http://lejournallive.com

6. The Chronicle, Harvard-Westlake School, North Hollywood, Calif.
http://hwchronicle.com

7. Mill Valley News, Mill Valley HS, Shawnee, Kan.
http://www.mvnews.org

8. The Muse, Dreyfoos School of the Arts, West Palm Beach, Fla.
http://themuseatdreyfoos.com

9. Hoof Prints, Buffalo Island Central HS, Monette, Ark.
http://bichoofprints.com/

10. The Communicator Online, Community HS, Ann Arbor, Mich.
http://chscommunicator.com/

Judge’s Comments: “Winning entries featured strong, dynamic visual content and appropriate multimedia elements seamlessly integrated with textual content. Interactivity (via quizzes, polls, slideshows, etc.) were well received. Notable sites also offered a variety of stories and placed an emphasis on news that impacts the student body. Many sites followed the same design template, so those that broke from that provided something new and generally more engaging.”

1. The Spoke, Conestoga HS, Berwyn, Pa.
http://spoke.news/

2. MyJagNews, Johnson HS, San Antonio, Texas
http://www.myjagnews.com

3. The Rider, Legacy HS, Mansfield, Texas
http://www.therideronline.com

4. The Kirkwood Call, Kirkwood HS, Kirkwood, Mo.
http://thekirkwoodcall.com

5. Odyssey, Clarke Central HS, Athens, Ga.
http://www.odysseynewsmagazine.net

6. BVNW News, Blue Valley Northwest HS, Overland Park, Kan.
http://www.bvnwnews.com

7. The Harbinger, Shawnee Mission East HS, Prairie Village, Kan.
http://www.smeharbinger.net

8. Manestreamnews.com, McKinney HS, McKinney, Texas
http://manestreamnews.com

9. FHCtoday.com, Francis Howell Central HS, St. Charles, Mo.
http://www.fhctoday.com

10. Featherduster Online, Westlake HS, Austin, Texas
http://www.westlakefeatherduster.com

Judge’s Comments: “Winning websites were current and featured a range of news stories about in-school and community events and issues. Design established a clear hierarchy and provided visual variety. Writing was solid and engaging. Multimedia complemented traditional news stories.”

1. NTV-North Television, McKinney North HS, McKinney, Texas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71W_ykv2xAw

2. MHS1, McKinney HS, McKinney, Texas
http://manestreamnews.com/8714/mhs1/mhs1-10-30-15/

3. Wave TV, Summerville HS, Summerville, S.C.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OPBHD6kGNQ&feature=youtu.be

4. Jag News Net, Joseph Gregori HS, Modesto, Calif.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VCsCtXsSlU&feature=youtu.beyoutu.be/8VCsCtXsSlU

5. TigerCast, Roseville HS, Roseville, Calif.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZvijVxvK54

6. Tribe Talk, Wando HS, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky69SkISORg

7. Husky Headlines, Blue Valley Northwest HS, Overland Park, Kan.
vimeo.com/145178896

8. KCBY-TV, Coppell HS, Coppell, Texas
http://www.useducationtv.com/default.aspx?sid=11316

9. BNN-Bull Dog News Network, Columbus North HS, Columbus, Ind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlYBUte57JI&feature=youtu.be

10. Central Intelligence, Central HS, Springfield, Mo.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzOv8K8ZwGiibFlnSUtnVzAtUFU/view?usp=sharing

Judge’s Comments: “Strengths of winners:
1. Proper framing
2. Consistent audio
3. Organizing show with newsworthy content first
4. Upbeat, professional anchors transitioning from story to story”

1. The Chronicle, Harvard-Westlake School, North Hollywood, Calif.

2. Central High Register, Central HS, Omaha, Neb.

3. Talisman, Rutherford B. Hayes HS, Delaware, Ohio

4. Northern Lights, North Central HS, Indianapolis, Ind.

5. Eye of the Tiger, Roseville HS, Roseville, Calif.

6. Prospector, Prospect HS, Mount Prospect, Ill.

7. The Rock, Rock Bridge Sr. HS, Columbia, Mo.

8. The Lion, Lyons Township HS, La Grange, Ill.

9. The Crimson Crier, Sparkman HS, Harvest, Ala.

10. The Newsstreak, Harrisonburg HS, Harrisonburg, Va.

Judge’s Comments: “The Best of Show recipients distinguished themselves with thoughtful, in-depth news coverage on topical issues such as gender identification, diversity in the classroom and controversies surrounding Planned Parenthood. The best of the best incorporated infographics, pullouts/sidebars and student comments to create appealing and engaging layouts.”

1. The Echo, St. Louis Park HS, St. Louis Park, Minn.

2. Hi-Lights, William R. Boone HS, Orlando, Fla.

3. Inklings, Crown Point HS, Crown Point, Ind.

4. Image, Lafayette HS, Wildwood, Mo.

5. The Orator, Bryan HS, Omaha, Neb.

6. Crier, Munster HS, Munster, Ind.

7. The Blue Print, Hagerty HS, Oviedo, Fla.

8. The Red & Black, Hillsborough HS, Tampa, Fla.

9. The Central Times, Naperville Central HS, Naperville, Ill.

10. The Precedent, Perry HS, Gilbert, Ariz.

Judge suggestions:

• Opinion pages should have no ads, and opinion in writing should only be on opinion pages.
• Avoid multiple banner headlines on a page.
• Headlines should be over the story, not separated by a photo or graphic.
• Shorter stories are “in” unless it is a captivating story—less is more—gray pages scare readers away.
• Avoid pages that are all ads.
• Pages need a dominant image. Winners did a great job with this!
• Internal margins and folios need to be consistent.
• Avoid bumping headlines.
• Winners used alternative copy and used it well.
• Modular design is still relevant.
• White space should be planned.
• Editorial content should extend beyond school walls.
• Leads should follow journalistic style.

1. Eagle Edition, Episcopal School of Dallas, Dallas, Texas

2. The Harbinger, Shawnee Mission East HS, Prairie Village, Kan.

3. The Fourcast, Hockaday School, Dallas, Texas

4. The Northwest Passage, Shawnee Mission Northwest HS, Shawnee, Kan.

5. Tribal Tribune, Wando HS, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

6. The Oracle, Glenbrook South HS, Glenview, Ill.

7. The Review, St. John’s School, Houston, Texas

8. The Little Hawk, Iowa City HS, Iowa City, Iowa

9. The Lion’s Roar, Newton South HS, Newton Centre, Mass.

10. The Update, H.H. Dow HS, Midland, Mich.

Judge’s Comments: “Best of Show winners in the newspaper tabloid (17+) category exhibited careful attention to design. The best papers were the ones that localized content and made certain it was relevant to the school community.”

1. Le Flambeau, Notre Dame de Sion Prep School, Kansas City, Mo.

2. The Dragon, Johnston HS, Johnston, Iowa

3. Echoes, Wichita East HS, Wichita, Kan.

4. Excalibur, Robinson HS, Tampa, Fla.

5. Aquila, Freedom HS, South Riding, Va.

6. Saga, Parkway North HS, St. Louis, Mo.

7. Silhouettes, Plainfield HS, Plainfield, Ind.

8. Nexus, Inland Lakes Secondary School, Indian River, Mich.

9. The Jungle Book, Andover Central HS, Andover, Kan.

10. Sangraal, Benilde-St. Margaret’s School, St. Louis Park, Minn.

Judge’s Comments: “The winning entries showed a great combination of good photography and creative writing. Strong coverage through all facets—photography, writing, alternative coverage, headline packages—draws readers throughout the book. AP Style and strong proofreading were quite evident in top winners. A great knowledge of current trends helped create interesting publications.”

1. Westwind, West Henderson HS, Hendersonville, N.C.

2. Lion’s Roar, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Nashville, Tenn.

3. Details, Whitney HS, Rocklin, Calif.

4. Saga, Loudoun Valley HS, Purcellville, Va.

5. Westwind, Lewis-Palmer HS, Monument, Colo.

6. Log, Columbus North HS, Columbus, Ind.

7. Legacy, Green Valley HS, Henderson, Nev.

8. The Shadow, Cactus Shadows HS, Cave Creek, Ariz.

9. Paragon, Munster HS, Munster, Ind.

10. Belltower, St. Thomas’ Episcopal School, Houston, Texas

Judge’s Comments: “Strong coverage complements the detailed writing, clean design and quality photography. Understanding dominance in packaging separates the top books.”

1. Wingspan, James C. Enochs HS, Modesto, Calif.

2. Indian, Shawnee Mission North HS, Overland Park, Kan.

3. The Arena, Legacy HS, Mansfield, Texas

4. Summit, Smoky Hill HS, Aurora, Colo.

5. The Lion, McKinney HS, McKinney, Texas

6. Tigrium, Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Melbourne, Fla.

7. The Centaur, Strawberry Crest HS, Dover, Fla.

8. Howelltonian, Francis Howell HS, St. Charles, Mo.

9. Watchtower, Beverly Hills HS, Beverly Hills, Calif.

10. Shield, Thomas Downey HS, Modesto, Calif.

Judge’s Comments: “The top yearbooks demonstrated the yearbook staff’s ability to tell the story of their year. These young editors included a variety of written formats, giving their audience what they wanted and needed: facts and figures in infographics, strong quotations and intriguing lead. Captions recorded the significance of photos representing excellent coverage. Design trends were evident but not overwhelming: Geometric shapes, texture, black and white incorporated into color pages. Strong photo packages and adherence to fundamental use of grid and white space. Photo treatments such as screens and cutouts used sparingly with dominant images.”

1. Legend, William R. Boone HS, Orlando, Fla.

2. Lair, Shawnee Mission Northwest HS, Shawnee, Kan.

3. Cornerstones, Hockaday School, Dallas, Texas

4. Lone Star, James Bowie HS, Austin, Texas

5. Hornet, Bryant HS, Bryant, Ark.

6. El Paisano, Westlake HS, Austin, Texas

7. Hauberk, Shawnee Mission East HS, Prairie Village, Kan.

8. Calumet, Arapahoe HS, Centennial, Colo.

9. Crimson, duPont Manual HS, Louisville, Ky.

10. Pioneer, Kirkwood HS, Kirkwood, Mo.

Judge’s Comments: “Distinctions:

• The inclusion of many students through the use of extensive coverage that concentrates on individuals and topics of interest to students through students’ words and photos.
• Strong photography. Few posed photos.
• Use of type that avoids unreadable reverse or overprinted text.
• Concepts that speak to students personally through relevance and inclusion.
• Varied storytelling formats.”