Fremd's copy right at state

Those who say teenagers aren't interested in newspapers weren't at Eastern Illinois University this weekend.

Students from Fremd High School topped their peers from across the state to take home this year's IHSA state journalism championship.

Fremd newspaper adviser Jennifer Meils said she was very proud of her students and believes the work done at the state tournament was indicative of what they produce every day.

"I think they love the hard work," she said.

Fremd senior Sean Leahy, who will attend the journalism school at the University of Missouri next year, said being part of a state title team will give him a lot of confidence when he heads off for college.

"Next year I'll know that I can do something under pressure, whether it's on deadline or at a state tournament," he said.

Students from nearly 70 schools throughout the state gathered at the college for this year's third annual state journalism competition.

Bartlett High School finished in 10th place. Other area schools in the top 10 were Naperville Central, Glenbrook South Naperville North and Huntley.

Students competed in specialized categories that incorporated aspects of reporting and writing, advertising, graphics, design, headlines, photography, arts criticism and yearbook production.

In the writing categories, reporters are given information to base a story on, including relevant statistics and quotes.

They then write a story, including the information they deem most important.

Scores are based on story organization, use of proper Associated Press style guidelines, grammar and punctuation and if the story answers the key "who, what, when, where and why" questions.

Bartlett High School English teacher and newspaper adviser Jill Flanagan said her school's top 10 finish was a great accomplishment, considering that just two years ago it finished last in the sectional competition.

"They worked so hard to make this much progress," Flanagan said.

The Bartlett students, Flanagan said, used the feedback from the judges the previous two years to make themselves better journalists.

"We tried to use that to turn them into reporters who were more conscious of what they are doing and what they are writing," she said.

Several local students also earned individual state titles, including Elk Grove High School sophomore Julie Blindauer, who was crowned state champion in Info Graphics.

Alissa Calabrese, newspaper adviser at Elk Grove, said it was so exciting to see Blindauer's reaction when she found out she won.

"I couldn't be prouder," Calabrese said. "The look on her face was priceless."

Three Fremd students also earned top honors in two different yearbook categories

Fremd senior Neha Awati finished first in the Yearbook Copy Writing division, while seniors Stephanie Calabrese and Nicole Thompson took home the state title in Yearbook Theme Development.

For a complete list of winners and finalists, visit www.ihsa.org/activity/jrn/index.htm.