Bob Jones journalists nab volumes of press association awards
Bob Jones publications, “Patriot Pages” and “The Eclectic,” received All-Alabama status at the Alabama Scholastic Press Association convention. (CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – The Alabama Scholastic Press Association (ASPA) recently lauded students in creative writing, multimedia design and multimedia publications at Bob Jones High School.
“Patriot Pages,” Bob Jones’ newspaper and website (bjhspatriotpages.com), and “The Eclectic” literary and arts magazine were named All-Alabama, the top award.
Teacher Brandy Panagos and students attended the ASPA convention at the University of Alabama.
ASPA recognizes excellence in newspaper, online news, literary magazine, broadcasting and yearbook. Officials review entries both before and at the competition (aspa.ua.edu).
Mary Butgereit received first-place honors in both poetry and short story. Kristie Martins won first place in feature writing, the Rick Bragg Feature Writing Scholarship and second place for interactive web element.
Nkechi Nnorom earned first places in sports writing, spot news coverage and interactive web element and third place in onsite sports writing. Other first-place winners were Casey Marley, news writing, and Ben Ewing, column editorial.
Emily Bohatch earned first place for logo and homepage design. Also in first place, Holly Morgan was recognized for drama and Alyssa Kennedy for creative nonfiction.
Second-place credit went to Sascha Kirkham, column editorial; Megan McDowell, editorial cartoon; Yvonne Bowman, short story; Daniel Lang, essay; Jessica Gallagher, photography portfolio; and Madelyn Wong, Lauren Askins and Julie Bartlow, theme development.
In third place, Lauryn Rody entered in onsite poetry and Nick Akins in creative nonfiction. Jon Harper received honorable mention for humor.
Panagos said the contest benefits students by receiving professional critiques and scholarship possibilities.
“‘Patriot Pages,’ as it exists now, is a relatively young publication,” Panagos said. “Last year was its first year as an online publication. This year, we got our footing.”
Panagos acknowledged online publications by Sparkman High School and the Birmingham suburbs. “We do a good job with social media and multimedia,” she said.
In multimedia design and publications, Bob Jones students use HTML/CSS and page builders like WordPress. “The technology is only part of it,” Panagos said. “We want our students to be critical thinkers and effective communicators; we emphasize those skills.”
