The Warsaw High School student newspaper, The Wildcat, received the Best of Show award at the annual J-Day held on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia on March 26.
The Wildcat, written and produced by the high school journalism class, has received All-Missouri honors for several years; however, this was the first time the staff was singled out as the best newspaper in the small school division. Best of Show is the top award out of all small school newspaper in the Missouri Interscholastic Press Association.
Other schools in the small school competition included: Boonville, East Prairie, Knox County, Lawson, Moberly, Park Hill, Pleasant Hill, Raymore-Peculiar, Richland, Salisbury, St. Teresa’s Academy, Warsaw and West Platte.
“I am very proud of the accomplishments of both my newspaper and yearbook staffs at competition this year,” said journalism teacher Amanda Adler. “Their hard work and dedication to this program has really paid off. Journalism kids are self-motivated, dedicated and goal-driven and being part of publications helps them to practice for the deadline-driven careers that they will someday have.”
In addition to the Best of Show award, the journalism students brought home 22 state awards. Those receiving awards included:
Best of Show: The Wildcat, newspaper overall; Tanna Howe, Sports reporting, “Brewster signs with Missouri State to continue softball career”.
All-Missouri: Amelia Roberts, news feature, “Pink-Out games recognize struggle of those touched by breast cancer”; Heather Terry, sports reporting, “Wrestling team honors 30 years of program”.
Superior: Perspective 2024, Ozark Echoes Yearbook, overall; Haylee Cobb, traditional yearbook package (academic), “AI: Resourceful or Cheating?”; Heather Terry, traditional yearbook package (club/organizations), “Small yet Mighty-marching band”; Amelia Roberts, Academic photography, “Ag Instruction”; Keira Mostaffa, news photography, candidate portrait; Hailey Ferguson, news photography, “Howe brings enthusiasm to athletic events as the ’Voice of the Cats’”; Keira Mostaffa, op/ed, “Student leaders go unheard on Homecoming decision; Heather Terry, op/ed, “Amendment 3 will protect women’s lives and freedom".
Excellent: Aubree Smith, news feature, “In This Together: Some students experience long lasting relationships”; Hailey Ferguson, sports action photography, “QB Keeper”, sports feature photography, “TD Celebration”, student life organization photography, “Witch of the East”; Keira Mostaffa, traditional yearbook package (student life), “A New Spin on Football – Powderpuff”.
Honorable Mention: Hailey Ferguson, news feature, “End is in sight for Class of 2025 as thoughts turn to post-graduation plans”; Brennen Slavens, academic photography, “Business Class Discussion”; Hailey Ferguson, sports action photography, “Running Back Block”; Adison Sherrill, traditional yearbook package (student life), “There’s No Place Like the Stage” – musical; Ashlynn Adams, yearbook writing, “What you make it” – division.
Ratings: Best of Show – top award in the category (only one given in each category); All-Missouri – 450-500 points; Superior – 400-449 points; Excellent – 350-399 points; Honor Mention – 300-349 points; No Award – below 299 points.
“It was a great day at the University of Missouri,” said freshman Amelia Roberts. “We were able to tour the journalism department and learn how to improve our publications.”
WHS journalism teacher Amanda Adler has been The Wildcat and the Ozark Echoes adviser since 2007. Adler is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
