UHS journalism students earn medals at state contest

Uniontown High School journalism students display award certificates they earned at the annual Kansas Scholastic Press Association's State Contest in Lawrence on May 1. Senior Allen Johnson (left) placed first in Editorial Writing and second in News Writing, and sophomore Emily Simpson (center) received honorable mention in Photo Illustration while senior Ithaca Marlier placed third in the same category. (Submitted photo)

UNIONTOWN -- Five Uniontown High School students competed in seven events at the Kansas Scholastic Press Association's State Contest at the University of Kansas in Lawrence on May 1. Three students came home with medals for their efforts.

More than 940 students from 109 Kansas schools competed in the contest at Kansas University. Judges critiqued and ranked 1,150 entries from students who had earned the right to compete at state by winning in one of five regional contests which were held around the state in February.

Uniontown students competed with winners of all the Regional 2-1A contests. Senior Allen Johnson placed 1st in Editorial Writing and 2nd in News Writing. Johnson's 1st place entry will be printed in "Simply Better," a yearly publication of student journalism state winners. Johnson also entered a photo in the academic photo contest.

Senior Ithaca Marlier placed third with her photo illustration for a story about 'senior slump' while sophomore Emily Simpson's entry in the same category received an honorable mention.

Freshman Jennifer Kiser and junior Megan Schnichels also entered photos in the Student Life contest.

During the contests, journalism teachers from around the state attended a meeting where former Uniontown High School Principal Tracy Smith was presented with the Kansas Scholastic Press Association Administrator of the Year Award. UHS Journalism Teacher Janice Fewins nominated Smith by submitting a letter describing Smith's dedication to the following five criteria: support for freedom of the press, financial support of student media, journalism's place in the curriculum, encouragement of academic and professional growth, and personal support and encouragement for the journalism teacher and students.

"This is my last year of teaching journalism because I am retiring, so I wanted to honor someone who I appreciated during my career and to whom I owe a great deal," Fewins said. "And while his duties at Uniontown 235 changed this year, I still wanted to nominate Mr. Smith for the award he so richly deserves. I'm so happy that the KSPA committee chose Mr. Smith. This is a thank you to him from me and all of my students over the past 16 years."