Three Central students win events at PSPA competition
- Marita Blake & Marissa Marsh
- May 19, 2017
- 3 min read
Students coming from school districts all over Pennsylvania were eyeing a prize in the 2017 Pennsylvania State Press Association competition. With a crowd of over 100 students, many of whom were competing, the air was thick with tension. Many wanted to win, and only one person in each category would take home the prize.
Central York High School students, Kate Moyer, 17, and Grace Miller, 17, won state title at the 2017 Pennsylvania School Press Association competition, held at Penn State University on Wednesday, March 29, was offering awards for student-run yearbooks and newspapers. The competition groups ranged from editorial cartoons to yearbook layout and design to newspaper sports writing.
Miller, a junior, said, “It was a really unique experience for sure. The vibe was really cool because everyone was gathered there to do something they love, and we were all kind of together. While we were competing against each other, I think we were all kind of rooting for each other because we were all there because we love journalism, because we love photography, because we love yearbook.”
“I learned a lot; it was great to practice in a stressful environment. It was realistic to have such short deadlines,” sophomore Dan Risser said on competing for broadcast writing, in which he placed fourth.
Moyer, a senior, competed for sports feature writing and placed first.
“I’ve always liked writing and [have] done well in English classes, but never did I think I’d win anything for my writing. It was actually kind of funny that I won because my yearbook teacher [Lisa Sands] always likes to give me a hard time, but as it turns out I won states for her,” said Moyer.
While many schools came very prepared with pre-formulated questions and strategies, Central did the opposite. Students came up with questions while in the press conference and figured out their angles while in competition. The benefits of reporting more spontaneously and creatively showed in awards.
“I’ve been in journalism all year and I’ve been feature writing since I started. It’s something I’m really passionate about and that I like to practice on my own, whether it’s for school or not,” said Miller.
“Honestly, I did nothing to prepare; I kept telling Mrs Sands my natural ability would help me win but never was I being serious or thought that to be true. I always have to write stories for yearbook spreads though, so I guess those count as practice,” said Moyer.
With the short time limits competitors were given to finish their articles, mistakes were bound to happen. Participants were allowed to have an AP Style book, dictionary, a personal device and the notes that you took, as well as a recording of the hour-long press conference.
“I would better plan out my article before I wrote it, granted it’s difficult because of the 50-minute time limit, but there were some things I could definitely improve upon,” said Miller.
“[The only thing I’d change from that day is that] I should’ve gotten a milkshake at The Creamery. I would love to be able to go back to Penn State and win again and then buy myself a varsity jacket for yearbook,” said Moyer.
“I felt that the pressure was insane because I was so scared that I wasn’t going to get it, or I wasn’t going to take the right notes, but then I just remembered that I’m here for the experience,” said Miller.
Miller and Moyer both sublitted writing pieces, unlike Holtzinger.
The photography competetiors had to submit seven photos from the following categories: Depth of field, framing, repetition, emotion, action, angle and best-in-show shots.
Photography comeptitors had to wait an extra three days before receiving results. After much anticipation, Nate Holtzinger’s photo portfolio placed first, bringing home the gold for Central.
