2009 Story of the Year Winners

co-sponsored by the American Society of Newspaper Editors

 

Diversity

First Place
Jeremy Bleeke, Nina Oberman
Globe, Clayton HS, Clayton, Mo.

Judge’s comments: An honest and sensitive rendering of the achievement gap between black and white youth, backed by statistics, administrative and teacher perspectives, and thoughtful student voices. The package explores the socio-economic and cultural roots of the academic void, and explores solutions and approaches to close the gap.

Second Place
Eva Crowe
Odyssey, Clarke Central HS, Athens, Ga.

Third Place
Thanh Lu, Herb Wade
The Tam News, Tamalpais HS, Mill Valley, Calif.

Honorable Mention
Hana Kajimura
The Viking, Palo Alto HS, Palo Alto, Calif.

Honorable Mention
Seth Zweifler
The Spoke, Conestoga HS, Berwyn, Pa.

Honorable Mention
Natty Hawley, Amy Rosenberg
Ink, Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School, Santa Cruz, Calif.

 

Editorial/Opinion

First Place
Ashley Heath
The Spartana, Homestead HS, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Judge’s comments: This is a polemic, front and center. The author states the premise – that liberalism has become socialism – in the first breath and goes on to explain how the education system aids and abets this thinking throughout a student’s learning years. Unflinching, direct, controversial and brilliant, this is exactly what an opinion piece should be.

Second Place
Matt Holstein
Tribal Tribune, Wando HS, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

Third Place
Corinne Chin
Oracle, Glenbrook South HS, Glenview, Ill.

Honorable Mention
Elaine Andell
The Prowler, O’Fallon Township HS, O’Fallon, Ill.

Honorable Mention
Roy Lee, Karyn Smoot
The Lowell, Lowell HS, San Francisco, Calif.

Honorable Mention
Adam Zernik
The Viking, Palo Alto HS, Palo Alto, Calif.

 

Feature Story

First Place
Seth Zweifler
The Spoke, Conestoga HS, Berwyn, Pa.

Judge’s comments: A compelling story about the joys and consequences of teen pregnancy. As is the case all too often, the young men involved have walked away and could not be reached for comment. What makes this story compelling is that the teens involved are on the record; one who struggles to finish school at home, another who gave up her infant. The portraits are rounded with statistical data and parental reaction.

Second Place
Malaika Drebin
The Viking, Palo Alto HS, Palo Alto, Calif.

Third Place
Billy Lawton
Spark, Lakota East HS, Liberty Township, Ohio

Honorable Mention
Nikki McGee
The Wolf’s Howl, Timberland HS, Wentzville, Mo.

Honorable Mention
Jennifer Pritchard
Lariat, Cooper City HS, Cooper City, Fla.

Honorable Mention
Mac Douglass, Max Schieble, Sam Mandell
The Tam News, Tamalpais HS, Mill Valley, Calif.

 

Multimedia Package

First Place
Henry Rome
The Spoke, Conestoga HS, Berwyn, Pa.

Judge’s comments: This police ride-along package shows a good understanding of the journalistic applications of Web multimedia tools, including video, mapping and pictures – along with the shorter storytelling that is a hallmark of good online journalism.

Second Place
Fareeha Amir
FHNtoday.com, Francis Howell North HS, St. Charles, Mo.

Third Place
Lauren Burdick, Michelle Hu
The HiLite, Carmel HS, Carmel, Ind.

 

News Story

First Place
Henry Rome
The Spoke, Conestoga HS, Berwyn, Pa.

Judge’s comments: With extensive use of local, state and federal crime and education public records, Rome was able to authoritatively tell the story about how public and private school employees are vetted for employment. The story was prompted by the arrest of an elementary school custodian who was arrested in connection with two bank robberies. The research reflected careful detail, balance and wide-ranging sources. Strong, original reporting.

Second Place
Lauren Parcel, Brittany Hopkins
El Estoque, Monta Vista HS, Cupertino, Calif.

Third Place
Billy Eichenholz
The ReMarker, St. Mark’s School of Texas, Dallas, Texas

Honorable Mention
Jessie Frary
Odyssey, Clarke Central HS, Athens, Ga.

Honorable Mention
Jackie Tortorello, Andrea Perkins
The Correspondent, John Hersey HS, Arlington Heights, Ill.

Honorable Mention
Elizabeth Young
The Viking Longboat, Haslett HS, Haslett, Mich.

 

Sports Story

First Place
Tom Haskin
The Lion’s Roar, Newton South HS, Newton Centre, Mass.

Judge’s comments: This well-sourced story delves into a well-known, but seldom reported aspect of male athletics – homophobia. The words, the actions and the attitudes of athletes – especially in the locker room – drive gay youths to avoid sports. Even when violence is not the fear, the discomfort is there. The author relays anecdotes and talks to coaches, students and gay teachers to fully explore a touchy subject in a complete way.

Second Place
Sam Osborne
Purple Gem, Bowling Green HS, Bowling Green, Ky.

Third Place
Kaitlynn Kerley
Spark, Lakota East HS, Liberty Township, Ohio

Honorable Mention
Nadia Farjood
The Falconer, Torrey Pines HS, San Diego, Calif.

Honorable Mention
Sam Kovzan
The Harbinger, Shawnee Mission East HS, Prairie Village, Kan.

Honorable Mention
Matt Stanley
Round Up, Brophy College Preparatory School, Phoenix, Ariz.