The Dispatch and Lone Star Yearbook both attended the NSPA convention in DC

Awaiting the awards and honors the journalism team headed out to DC to attend the national journalism convention, with high hopes of returning with many awards. Twice a year both the Bowie Dispatch and the Lone Star Yearbook take a trip to attend the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association (JEA/NSPA) convention that was held in Washington, D.C in fall of this year.

The journalism team flew to D.C for the convention that was held November 21 to 24, where both the Bowie Dispatch and the Lone Star Yearbook were up for nationally recognized awards. At the convention on-site competitions are available for students to enter, as well as a variety of educational sessions that were offered to teach students important journalism strategies and information.

Although many of the students who entered individual competitions placed on a national level, both the newspaper and yearbook won very prestigious awards for the publications themselves. The Dispatch won a Pacemaker which is an award comparable to a Pulitzer Prize for scholastic publications that only 19 newspapers across the country received in 2019. In addition, The Dispatch entered second issue of the year and received First Place Best in Show for Newspaper Broadsheets.

“I learned a substantial amount of skills and journalism techniques from the convention. I think one of the most interesting things I learned was a new 5-step plan for generating story ideas,” managing editor Cade Spencer said. “I was shocked by all of the story ideas I overlook every day. With the new plan, we could have new and intriguing story ideas.”

Among the individual contestants, Peter Dang received an Excellent in Sports Writing and Amelie Hayne got excellent in Commentary Writing. The Dispatch was able to return with two honorable mentions won by Marisa Salazar in Editorial Writing and Amanda Zinni in News Editing/Headline Writing/Current Events. Cade Spencer won the newspaper’s first-ever Superior Award in News Writing, which means he placed at the top out of everyone in his category.

“I have always had a love for writing and it was really cool to win recognition for my writing. I think the awards are an amazing way to develop pride in your own work and the work of your program,” Spencer said. “However, winning the award also made me feel really grateful for my English teachers, my parents, and Mr. Reeves for all helping me develop my writing skills.”

In the on-site contests, there were over 2,100 students who competed, and around 100 or more students competing in each category. There were only 144 superiors awarded to students, spread out among 43 categories.

“The contest and convention made me feel that journalism could definitely be a career option for me,” Spencer said. “The theme of the weekend was that journalism matters now more than ever. In a world where journalism is needed, I feel it would be amazing to be a journalist and help in the sharing of news and the truth.”

The Lone Star Yearbook also came home with a big award for having the best yearbook spread of the year which was designed by 2018 graduate Mia Moore and senior Logan Dorsey. There were 1,134 designs submitted from 32 different states, that judges narrowed down to 100 finalists for the National Scholastic Press Association 2019 Design of the Year competition.

“I remember when they were announcing my category and they were counting down to the number one place and after the second one wasn’t me, I lost my mind and my heart immediately dropped and I just couldn’t believe I won on such a national level award,” Dorsey said.

At the convention, the yearbook also received an honorable mention for their Social Media Promotion. Individually Emma Wake received an honorable mention for Student Life Yearbook Copy/Caption, Logan Dorsey received an honorable mention for Advertising Infographic, and Reagan Zuniga received honorable mention for her Sports Portfolio.

“Winning spread of the year and being top-10 for social media promotion account was really exciting and to have three of our staff place in their on-site contests, it was a strong showing for the staff,” yearbook adviser Lindsey Shirack said.