a cut above
The Best of the Best from the 2005-2006 Individual Category Yearbook Contest Michigan Interscholastic Press Association
The Cover Photo
Grossed out and interested looks filled the faces of Stephanie Jewell and Amanda Michael as they dissected sheep’s eyeball in biology class. Photo taken by Kyle Dopke, Inland Lakes HS, First Place Winner, Academic Photo Category.
Published by Michigan Interscholastic Press Association 305 Communication Arts Building Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824 Phone: (517) 353-6761 Fax: (517) 355-7710 E-mail: mipa@msu.edu Web site: mipa.jrn.msu.edu
January 2007
Dear Friends of Journalism:
T
his is the eleventh issue of Michigan Interscholastic Press Association’s A Cut Above, which contains the best of high school journalism in Michigan. The purpose of this booklet is twofold: 1) to showcase the first-place winners in the MIPA Individual Category Yearbook Contest and 2) to act as a guide for students and advisers preparing contest entries for the 2006-2007 compe-
titions. In the following pages you will find stories and art by first-place winners among the four divisions (Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4) for yearbook. We have included category descriptions and judging criteria for each category. This is how we determine divisions: We look at the number of students from each school that enters the contest. We use the numbers from the Michigan High School Athletic Association Directory. We put schools in order from the largest down to the smallest. Division 1 contains the largest schools, and Division 4 contains the smallest. We try hard to put nearly the same number of schools in each division. We are proud of all the winners and wish we could have published all of them, but size and space dictated how many, and in some cases, which ones, were printed. Since all the winning entries were retyped to fit the format, we apologize if any errors were made in the stories. Please remember these are just a sampling of the stories. If you would like to help judge the 2006-2007 entries for the Individual Category Newspaper and Yearbook contests, please e-mail mipa@msu.edu. Judging will take place on March 3, 2007, at the MSU School of Journalism. We need you! I’d like to thank Julie Price, the current newspaper chairperson, and Lynn Strause, the current yearbook chairperson, who both did a fantastic job of pulling off last year’s judging. This is a huge project, and we all owe them a round of applause! I’d also like to thank Penney Aiken and Amy Brandt for laying out the pages, taking photographs, and scanning images and adding the documents. These two MIPA employees work hard for all of us! Finally, I’d like to thank all the wonderful advisers, the MIPA executive board, The State News staff members and School of Journalism faculty for giving up a chunk of your Saturday to come to MSU to help judge. Without you, of course, there would be no winners! For complete information about all of the contests, please check out the MIPA Web site at http://mipa.jrn.msu.edu. All forms are available as PDF files, which you can download and print out. Sincerely, Cheryl M. Pell MIPA director 305 Communication Arts Building Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824 PHONE: (517) 353-6761 FAX: (517) 355-7710 E-MAIL: pell@msu.edu
Feature Writing: Student Life
Ionic Individuals Bonding Together By Doris Swarn Covert High School Quizzical faces streamed the halls when it was announced that there would be no Senior Class VicePresident, Treasurer, or even a president. Many were asking why this change occurred while others were thinking “It’ about time,” The Senior Class has put on various events, such as the Senior prom and Homecoming activities, but many agree that the festivities were not done to the best of their abilities. As the Senior Class Advisor, Mr. Patrick Burrage had many reasons for his new approach to the Senior Class Officers. “I made the change, because I felt they (the officers) were more affective as a group. Each of them have had some leadership qualities, but none more dominant than others. Each have collectively
given great ideas,” Even though Mr. Burrage and the majority of the Senior’s felt that a group rather than one individual leader would have a better affect the majority of the seniors still felt that they needed a leader. “I fell as if we need a president to lead us and give us some direction,” said senior Birgit Lauderdale. The senior’s seemed to confuse everyone when they opposed of Mr. Burrage’s new concept as well as the leader they chose. “We need a president when will actually raise some money,” said Kenny Braziel. Within the Senior Class no one was willing to step up, but Kayla Perry to get her class to go somewhere. The new officers worked together to raise money for their class as well as involve the community. Although there we no longer titles the senior class still worked to the best of their abilities throughout the year.
Feature Writing: Student Life
Feature writing and reporting on school and community from the student life section of the book.
Guidelines
• clear, relevant, engaging angle • solid lead that draws reader into story •meaningful student quotes that enrich story and reflect effective interviewing • evidence of adequate research • adheres to rules of good journalism including: short paragraphs, effective transitions and use of active voice; freedom from editorial comment; careful editing and proofreading to eliminate mechanical errors; correct use of grammar
First place winners by division 1 Kevin Edwards Stevenson
2 Brianna White Waterford Kettering 3 Ali Kelly & Zach Jarou Fenton 4 Doris Swan Covert
A Cut Above
Sports Reporting Sports Reporting
Sports reporting for any season that makes the reader feel that he/she is reliving the season.
Guidelines
• solid lead that draws reader into story • meaningful student quotes that enrich story and reflect effective interviewing •evidence of adequate research • story gives reader a clear picture of season highlights and outcome with relevant player comments • adheres to rules of good journalism including: short paragraphs, effective transitions and use of active voice; freedom from editorial comment; careful editing and proofreading to eliminate mechanical errors; correct use of grammar
First place winners by division 1 Carla Morabito Novi
2 Eric Rosenbloom North Farminton 3 Kyle Keck Haslett 4 Ashley Smith Goodrich
A Cut Above
Lead By Example A loss in a double overtime cut a winning season early By Eric Rosenbloom North Farmington High School From opening tip-off to the final ticking seconds, North Farmington Varsity Basketball is rolling over opponent after opponent. “We play a smart brand of basketball. We hustle after every loose ball. That’s how we win games,” junior forward Mark Moundros said. Senior point guard Matt Leach said part of the team’s overall success is their attitude. “The team is flat out unselfish. It’s definitely team first, individual second. It’s all about the team,” Leach said. “We’re just working together, playing heard,” Moundros said. “We don’t have that one star guy, but everyone contributes.” The Raiders may not have one superstar player, but they do have several intricate puzzle pieces, all of whom bring something different to the table. The core of the team begins with the three captains, floor general Matt Leach and big men Sean Mackler and Darrin Rawls. All three are four-year varsity players who bring leadership and experience to the table. Rounding out the starting five are swingman Mark Moundros and
senior forward Jon Marshall. Senior Ryan Taylor, juniors Kevin Blazaitis, Eric Hendrickson, Mychal Cocke, and Adam Greenberg, sophomore Jeff Young, and freshman Taylor Gray all provide pivotal moments off the bench. Calling the shots for the team is Coach Tom Negoshian. “[The Coaches] have a reputation of being really hard and they go crazy on the bench. They really care about us and they flat out know the game. Coach Negoshian has forgotten more about basketball then we will every know,” Leach said. The season has seen substantial victories, including wins over cross town rivals Harrison and Farmington. Despite the team’s success both on and off the court, the season did not end as well as everyone hoped. After beating Groves twice in the regular season, the team played a hard game, going into double overtime before losing to Groves. “It is the hardest to beat a team three times, regardless of their skill level,” Mackler said. “The double overtime loss against [Birmingham] Groves was such an emotional rollercoaster. We were so disappointed drained, and upset. We had a good season but it ended way too early,” Hendrickson said.
Sports Feature Writing
Hit and Run
Jv and Frosh Players Slide to the Top By Jennifer Orlando & Lexie Tomsek Grand Ledge High School ”Eat, sleep, breathe, and play baseball” are words that freshman Danny Bashorre lives by on and off the field. This is not only true for Bashore but for the JV and Freshman teams as a whole. To achieve excellence they boys know that they have to give it their all during the season and in the off season. Dedication is the single most important ingredient
in the recipe for success. “I would walk through Hell with a gasoline suit just to play baseball,” said freshman Mike Freund. “I would jump into a pool of sharks just to guarantee my team a win. It feels so good knowing you left everything on the field and you got a ‘W’,” said Bashore. The determined attitude of the players will help prepare them for the next level of play; earning a letter on the varsity team.
Sports Feature Writing
Any topic that spotlights an unusual aspect of any event, a coach, a player or any controversy.
Guidelines
• clear, relevant, engaging angle • solid lead that draws reader into story • meaningful student quotes that enrich story and reflect effective interviewing • evidence of adequate research • story meaningfully adds to sports coverage • adheres to rules of good journalism including: short paragraphs, effective transitions and use of active voice; freedom from editorial comment; careful editing and proofreading to eliminate mechanical errors; correct use of grammar
First place winners by division 1 Jennifer Orlando & Lexie Tomsek Grand Haven 2 Marissa Servinsky North Farmington 4 Hayley Harkness & Mary Beth MacDonald Ithaca
A Cut Above
Academic Writing Academic Writing
Any copy which features a department, a subject or unusual academic direction but not a personality profile of a teacher.
Dare to Prepare
Diverse Forms of Preparation Linked to ACT Success By Claudia Jedrzejas Fenton High School
Guidelines
• clear, relevant, engaging angle • solid lead that draws reader into story • meaningful student quotes that enrich story and reflect effective interviewing • evidence of adequate research • story goes beyond simply reviewing what happens in classroom • adheres to rules of good journalism including: short paragraphs, effective transitions and use of active voice; freedom from editorial comment; careful editing and proofreading to eliminate mechanical errors; correct use of grammar
First place winners by division
1 Jenny VanSparrentak & Sara Qamar Stevenson 2 Amber Collias Waterford Kettering 3 Claudia Jedrzejas Fenton 4 Amber Cooley Inland Lakes
A Cut Above
Skimming through preparation books, cramming the day before and trying to maintain concentration throughout a four hour test were only small parts of taking the ACT. “To prepare for the ACT, I bought a huge book that included an educational CD ROM inside,” senior Lindsay Yurk said. “The book had all of the subjects featured on the ACT test. I did all of this prep work because I expected I would not have enough time when I took the actual test. I also thought that the test would be a lot harder that it actually was. I was not very nervous at all when taking the test. I was just really stressed out beforehand.” Others allowed their knowledge and practice from previous tests, such as the MEAP, mold their expectations about the ACT. “I thought that the MEAP test was going to be exactly like the ACT,” senior Allen Hawks said. “It was a correct hypothesis until I got to the science portion. The questions were very long, and I had a hard time paying attention. I found that the science questions were also more difficult on the ACT than they were on the MEAP test.” Finding herself in the same position as Hawks, senior
Amanda Todd was sidetracked briefly after the first section of the test was completed. “I assumed that the ACT was going to be a lot harder than it actually ended up being,” Todd said. “I did not get really sidetracked until the very end, and I never really got myself back completely on track. I had to start trying to concentrate on each problem to complete them on time.” After a four to six-week wait, the hours of preparation and test taking led up to discovering the results of the test. “I earned a 22 when I took the ACT,” Yurk said. “I did not have time to complete the whole first section, and because of this, I ended up rushing through the rest of the test. I could have done better if I retook the test, but this score will get me where I want to go. If I did retake the rest, I would relax and take my time instead of rushing. I would also concentrate more on each individual problem and if my time ran out for the section, I would bubble in the rest of the answers. This is a better technique because you are not penalized for guessing on the ACT, only on the SAT.” Regardless of the techniques that they used during the rest, those who made it through the four hour trial walked away with tips and ideas to pass along or use if they decided to retake it for a higher score.
Organizations Writing
Summer Commitment This one time, at band camp... By Ashley Smith Ithaca High School One of the biggest rewards, but yet the biggest commitments for band students, was when summer time rolled around and it was time for a lot of students’ favorite season—band camp. “I was excited about band camp, but I was also nervous because I heard stories about it from my older brother, but it turned out to be really fun,” said freshman Trenton Barnes. “I’m anxious to go back this summer.” Band students practiced about seven hours on the
field each day, learning they performance and 2-3 hours of sectionals, tweaking the music. In between each practice students could swim, have water fights play basketball pass around a football, golf, or just hand out in their cabins and SLEEP! “I’m really going to miss band camp. It was a lot of fun, especially senor year because we got to sing to the underclassmen and stay up after the dance and eat pizza when they were sleeping,” said senior Melanie Gibbs. “I want to come back and be a counselor after I graduate.” Band camp’s more than hard work, commitment, and water fights, though; it’s five days of friendship and memories.
Organizations Writing
Writing that gives the reader a fresh view of the organization.
Guidelines
• solid lead that draws reader into story • meaningful student quotes that enrich story and reflect effective interviewing • evidence of adequate research • story does not center on purpose of group or simply review their activities • adheres to rules of good journalism including: short paragraphs, effective transitions and use of active voice; freedom from editorial comment; careful editing and proofreading to eliminate mechanical errors; correct use of grammar
First place winners by division 1 Ashlee Gray Grand Ledge
2 Jordan Angott Waterford Kettering 3 Megan Crawford Fenton 4 Ashley Smith Ithaca
A Cut Above
Personality Profile Personality Profile
Writing featuring a teacher, staff member or student that makes the character three dimensional.
Guidelines
• clear, relevant, engaging angle that makes story worthy of inclusion • solid lead that draws reader into story • meaningful student quotes that enrich story and reflect effective interviewing • evidence of adequate research • story goes beyond superficial coverage to give a total perspective and feel for the subject • adheres to rules of good journalism including: short paragraphs, effective transitions and use of active voice; freedom from editorial comment; careful editing and proofreading to eliminate mechanical errors; correct use of grammar
First place winners by division 1 Bridgett Arms Stevenson
2 Brianna White Waterford Kettering 3 Will Hunter Fenton 3 Lisa Wallace & Nicole Whitmore Inland Lakes
10 A Cut Above
To Be or not to Bee
The question many people ask and hardly any can answer By Brianna White Waterford Kettering High School As he utters the two words that define his identity; sophomore Bee Yang braces himself for the upcoming reaction. The impact of such a short sentence is astounding, and awaiting a response can be nerveracking. Letting an anxious feeling subside and one of courage take its place, Yang is able to say part of what makes him an individual in just one powerful phrase: “I’m gay.” The first time Yang opened up to someone, he was able to overcome a great deal of nervousness. “The first one to know was a good friend of mine when we were in the seventh grade,” he said. “I was extremely scared, I didn’t know if she was going to accept me or not. I guess what I was most worried about was just the way she was going to handle it.” His friends reaction was not only one of acceptance, but one that gave him the courage to continue voicing what makes him such a defined person. Although Yang has confidence in the person he has become, he didn’t always have such a strong level of self esteem. “The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do
was accept who I was,” he said. “I was almost ashamed of myself. Why was I the way I was? Since everyone around me was so against homosexuality, I was just so afraid of being hated.” Silence filled the air before Yang continued. “Coming to terms with myself and being proud of who I am is something that is very important to me.” Yang has an extremely high level of pride in his convictions, and can get very defensive when people judge him based on his life style, as many people do when they are offended. “I’m not going to change myself in order to make other people happy; this is who I am, and this is who I’m going to be,” he said. “People judge me every sing day, but they don’t even know me. They don’t know the kind of person I am. I mean, all people are created equal, why can’t everyone just see that?” With his head bent down, and his elbows resting quietly against his knees, a sigh of frustration was released towards those who don’t accept him. “I want to defend who I am,” he says, as he lifts his head. “I want others to see that gay people have red blood, that gay people breathe air too, and that gay people live the same as everybody else. Most of all, I want people to realize that gay people are human.”
Sidebar Writing Sidebar Writing
Any article on a topic that adds to spread coverage.
Guidelines
• solid lead that draws reader into story • meaningful student quotes that enrich story and reflect effective interviewing • evidence of adequate research • story enhances spread coverage by adding meaningful information and/or insights • adheres to rules of good journalism including: short paragraphs, effective transitions and use of active voice; freedom from editorial comment; careful editing and proofreading to eliminate mechanical errors; correct use of grammar
By Kendel Goonis, Stevenson High School
First place winners by division 1 Kendel Goonis Stevenson
2 Amanda West Waterford Kettering 4 Ashley Smith Ithaca
A Cut Above 11
Headline Writing Headline Writing
Include at least three examples, including secondary and primary headlines. Do not submit label or one-word headlines.
Guidelines
• clever/imaginative, engaging the reader • draws reader into copy • contents of headline establishes visual/verbal connection between photos and copy • headline/subhead makes spread content clear • adheres to rules of good journalism including: avoiding label headlines; freedom from editorial comment; careful editing and proofreading to eliminate mechanical errors; correct use of grammar
First place winners by division 1 Nicole Ridenour Stevenson
2 Kacie Dittenber Holt 4 Mary Beth MacDonald, Jessie Thoma & Betsy Hirschman Ithaca
12 A Cut Above
By Kacie Dittenber, Holt High School
Caption Writing Caption Writing
Captions which have been written for three photographs, one of which must be for a minor sport.
Guidelines
By Cydney Seigerman, Orchard Lake Middle School
• begin with strong leads, not name or title • contain at least two sentences that answer all reader’s questions without stating the obvious • evidence of adequate research which provides information that adds to reader’s understanding of event or situation • clearly identifies all people in photo with both first and last (sports captions should also identify names of players on opposing team) • adheres to rules of good journalism including: short paragraphs, effective transitions and use of active voice; freedom from editorial comment; careful editing and proofreading to eliminate mechanical errors; correct use of grammar
First place winners by division
1 Walker McIntyre, Alyson King & Julie McElroy Waterford Mott 2 Adrianna McIntyre Utica 3 Cydney Seigerman Orchard Lake MS 4 Jessica Kilgore, Alyssa Roehm & Jessica Merchberger Goodrich
A Cut Above 13
Cover and Endsheet Design Cover and Endsheet Design Theme selection and development. Entry should include coverdesign, endsheets, introduction, division pages and closing. Entry must include actual cover and both front and back endsheets. Do not submit stock endsheets.
Guidelines
• cover/endsheet introduces unifying concept visually/verbally • design is fresh and contemporary • cover creates favorable impression through use of type/color/ materials • book name and year appear on cover and spine • Spine also includes school name, city, state and yearbook volume number • endsheets are attractive and either plain or contain illustrative/informative content with solid design
First place winners by division
1 Kellie Giaier & Christine Alexander Clarkston 2 Staff Holt 3 Jessi brooks & Alexis Bunka Fenton 4 Staff Inland Lakes
14 A Cut Above
By Staff, Inland Lakes High School
Opening and Closing
By Jessica Merchberger, Goodrich High School
Opening and Closing
The introductory and closing spreads.
Guidelines
• designs are fresh and contemporary, setting them apart from standard designs but are similar to each other •photos, copy, captions, headlines and white space are arranged to help reader
begin and end story of year • designs carry elements of theme concept • while designs may be innovative, they adhere to journalistic guidelines and show evidence of careful planning
First place winners by division
1 Kellie Giaier & Christine Alexander Clarkston 2 Heather Norton Bay City Central 3 Samantha Breaux Traverse City East Jr.H 4 Jessica Merchberger Goodrich
A Cut Above 15
Division Division
One set of all division pages in yearbook.
Guidelines
• designs are fresh and contemporary, setting them apart from standard designs but are similar to each other • photos, copy, captions, headlines and white space are arranged to introduce reader to contents of section • designs carry elements of theme concept • while designs may be innovative, they adhere to journalistic guidelines and show evidence of careful planning
First place winners by division 1 Chelsea Spata-Merrill, Kelsey Guyselman & Kelsey O’Neil Grand Ledge 2 Olivia Wolak Utica 3 Samantha Breaux, Jamie Chapman & Katie Kruger Traverse City East Jr.H 4 Jessica Merchberger Goodrich
By Chelsea Spata-Merrill, Kelsey Guyselman & Kelsey O’Neil, Grand Ledge High School
16 A Cut Above
Student Life Spread Student Life Spread One spread from student life section.
Guidelines
By Whitney Chadwick, North Farmington High School
• designed as two-page visual unit, arrangement of photos, headline, copy, captions and white space invite reader onto spread and show careful planning • dominance is established and other elements are arranged in such a way as to lead reader’s eye around spread • adequate external margins provide frame for spread contents and are defined by at least one element on each side • photos effectively cropped, of various size, shape and content; content concentrates on action photos • no center of interest in photo is trapped in gutter; action and faces in photos do not face off spread • non-rectangular photos, tilted photos and other special treatments are used sparingly and effectively to enhance overall design • graphics and typography enhance readability and attractiveness of design • headlines has contemporary design and establishes visual/ verbal connection • copy and captions are readable size and use readable font • captions touch photos to which they refer. for group or clustered captions attention has been paid to making them accessible to reader • while designs may be innovative, they adhere to journalistic guidelines
First place winners by division 1 Amanda Noll Lake Orion
2 Whitney Chadwick North Farmington 3 Briana Wilkerson & Keiley Baldwin Haslett 4 Betsy Hirschman Ithaca
A Cut Above 17
Sports Spread Sports Spread
One spread from the sports section.
Guidelines
• designed as two-page visual unit, arrangement of photos, headline, copy, captions and white space invite reader onto spread and show careful planning • dominance is established and other elements are arranged in such a way as to lead reader’s eye around spread • adequate external margins provide frame for spread contents and are defined by at least one element on each side • photos effectively cropped, of varied size, shape and content; content concentrates on action photos • no center of interest in photo is trapped in gutter; action and faces in photos do not face off spread • non-rectangular photos, tilted photos and other special treatments are used sparingly and effectively to enhance overall design • graphics and typography enhance readability and attractiveness of design • headlines has contemporary design and establishes visual/verbal connection • copy and captions are readable size and use readable font • captions touch photos to which they refer. for group or clustered captions attention has been paid to making them accessible to reader • if team pictures are included on spread, they are not used as dominant element and are arranged to blend with overall design • if scoreboards are involved on spread, they are attractively designed to blend with the overall look of the spread and set in a readable font and size • while designs may be innovative, they adhere to journalistic guidelines
18 A Cut Above
By Lauren Heilborn & Kellie Salliotte, Inland Lakes High School
First place winners by division 1 Jason Willis & Steve Warzecha Stevenson 2 Shelby Booker North Farmington 3 Lauren Heilborn & Kellie Salliotte Jackson Northwest 4 Lisa Wallace, Kyle Dopke & Tyler Perttu Inland Lakes
Academic Spread Academic Spread
One spread from the academic section.
Guidelines
By Aaron Patrick, Goodrich High School
• designed as two-page visual unit, arrangement of photos, headline, copy, captions and white space invite reader onto spread and show careful planning • dominance is established and other elements are arranged in such a way as to lead reader’s eye around spread • adequate external margins provide frame for spread contents and are defined by at least one element on each side • photos effectively cropped, of various size, shape and content; content concentrates on action photos of students engaged in learning, not the teachers • no center of interest in photo is trapped in gutter; action and faces in photos do not face off spread • non-rectangular photos, tilted photos and other special treatments are used sparingly and effectively to enhance overall design • graphics and typography enhance readability and attractiveness of design • headlines has contemporary design and establishes visual/ verbal connection • copy and captions are readable size and use readable font • captions touch photos to which they refer. for group or clustered captions attention has been paid to making them accessible to reader • while designs may be innovative, they adhere to journalistic guidelines
First place winners by division 1 Sara Doelle Lake Orion 2 Kacie Dittenber Holt 3 Laura Hosler & Rachel Le Tourneau Haslett 4 Aaron Patrick Goodrich
A Cut Above 19
Organization Spread Organization Spread
One spread from the organization section.
Guidelines
• designed as two-page visual unit, arrangement of photos, headline, copy, captions and white space invite reader onto spread and show careful planning • dominance is established and other elements are arranged in such a way as to lead reader’s eye around spread • adequate external margins provide frame for spread contents and are defined by at least one element on each side • photos effectively cropped, of various size, shape and content; content concentrates on action photos • no center of interest in photo is trapped in gutter; action and faces in photos do not face off spread • non-rectangular photos, tilted photos and other special treatments are used sparingly and effec tively to enhance overall design • graphics and typography enhance readability and attractiveness of design • headlines has contemporary design and establishes visual/verbal connection • copy and captions are readable size and use readable font • captions touch photos to which they refer. for group or clustered captions attention has been paid to making them accessible to reader • if group pictures are included on spread, they are not the dominant element and are arranged to blend with the overall design of the spread • while designs may be innovative, they adhere to journalistic guidelines
20 A Cut Above
By Anna Michienzi, Lake Orion High School
First place winners by division 1 Anna Michienzi Lake Orion
2 Christina McPike & Enjoli Marks Holt 3 Sean Hastings & Briana Wilkerson Haslett 4 Kayla Green Goodrich
People Spread People Spread
One spread from either student or faculty/administration coverage.
Guidelines
By Anna O’Connor, Haslett High School
First place winners by division 1 Marissa Spokaeski Stevenson
2 Andrea Podob & Marissa Servinsky North Farmington 3 Anna O’Connor Haslett
• designed as two-page visual unit, arrangement of photos, headline, copy, captions and white space invite reader onto spread and show careful planning • dominance is established and other elements are arranged in such a way as to lead reader’s eye around spread • adequate external margins provide frame for spread contents and are defined by at least one element on each side • photos effectively cropped, of various size, shape and content • no center of interest in photo is trapped in gutter; action and faces in photos do not face off spread • non-rectangular photos, tilted photos and other special treatments are used sparingly and effectively to enhance overall design • graphics and typography enhance readability and attractiveness of design • headlines has contemporary design and establishes visual/ verbal connection • copy and captions are readable size and use readable font • captions touch photos to which they refer. for group or clustered captions attention has been paid to making them accessible to reader • mug shots are arranged in panels with names to the outside • while designs may be innovative, they adhere to journalistic guidelines
4 Megan Allis Goodrich
A Cut Above 21
Advertising Spread Advertising Spread One student-produced spread.
Guidelines
• spread is attractively designed with a variety of ad sizes for contrast • graphics and typography enhance readability and attractiveness of design • if features are included, they are designed to enhance the overall look of the spread and follow design guidelines • while designs may be innovative, they adhere to journalistic guidelines
First place winners by division 1 Ryan Stajniak Lake Orion
2 Machelle Cook Mona Shores 3 Johanna Allan, Karlee Carbary &Mike Dura Fenton 4 Lauren Trakul Goodrich
22 A Cut Above
By Ryan Stajniak, Lake Orion High School
Graphics Graphics
One spread illustrating contemporary use of graphics.
Guidelines
• graphics add to spread content and design • use of graphics shows evidence of careful planning and clear purpose • while graphic use may be innovative, the staff adheres to journalistic guidelines
First place winners by division 1 Ashlee Gray Grand Ledge
2 Megan Lawrence Battle Creek Central 3 Lisa Averill Fenton
By Megan Lawrence, Battle Creek Central High School
4 Lisa Wallace Inland Lakes
A Cut Above 23
Sports Action Photo Sports Action Photo Well-cropped, in-focus photo with excellent tonal quality.
Guidelines
• photo has strong story-telling content • photo has been effectively cropped to emphasize center of interest and enhance content • photo is technically strong: in focus; free from scratches, dust or fingerprints; proper contrast; not too grainy or muddy • photographer paid attention to rules of composition
First place winners by division
1 Kevin O’Keefe Novi 2 Heather Leek Waterford Kettering 3 Sarah Karr Marshall 4 Erin Walters Laingsburg
By Erin Walters, Laingsburg High School
24 A Cut Above
Academic Photo Academic Photo
Photo focused on students in a learning situation either in or out of class.
Guidelines
• photo has strong story-telling content • photo has been effectively cropped to emphasize center of interest and enhance content • photo is technically strong: in focus; free from scratches, dust or fingerprints; proper contrast; not too grainy or muddy • photographer paid attention to rules of composition
First place winners by division By Katie Arnold, Marshall High School
1 Kyle Lavalley Lake Orion 2 Jennifer Cook Mona Shores 3 Katie Arnold Marshall 4 Kyle Dopke Inland Lakes
A Cut Above 25
Feature Photo Feature Photo
Human interest photo with emphasis on people in their environment. Do not submit posed shots or portraits.
Guidelines
• photo has strong story-telling content • photo has been effectively cropped to emphasize center of interest and enhance content • photo is technically strong: in focus; free from scratches, dust or fingerprints; proper contrast; not too grainy or muddy • photographer paid attention to rules of composition
First place winners by division 1 Ashley Dasugi Clarkston
2 Tracy Gabrys Waterford Kettering 3 Alyson Bono Fenton 4 Kyle Dopke Inland Lakes
26 A Cut Above
By Tracy Gabrys, Waterford Kettering High School
Feature Presentation Feature Presentation
An unusual feature from any section. Subject selection, writing, photography and design will be considered.
Guidelines WRITING
By Tahlene Carlin, Lyndsey Kittrell & Tiffany Lynch, Novi High School
• copy has engaging angle, solid lead and meaningful student quotes that enrich story and reflect effective interviewing • captions begin with strong lead and contain at least two sentences that answer all reader’s questions and clearly identifies all people • copy and captions show evidence of adequate research • clever, engaging headline that draws reader into story and establishes visual/verbal connection • adheres to rules of good journalism including: use of active voice, freedom from editorial comment, careful editing and proofreading, correct use of grammar
DESIGN
First place winners by division
1 Tahlene Carlin, Lyndsey Kittrell & Tiffany Lynch Novi 2 Brianna White, Carly Grose & Tiffany Dion Waterford Kettering 3 Briana Wilkerson, Kelsey Dunn & Danielle Simmons Haslett 4 Hayley Harkness & Mary Beth MacDonald Ithaca
• designed as two-page visual unit, arrangement of photos, headline, copy, captions and white space invite reader onto spread and show careful planning • special treatments are used sparingly and effectively • graphics and typography enhance readability and attractiveness of design • headline has contemporary design and establishes visual/verbal connection • while designs may be innovative, they adhere to journalistic guidelines
PHOTOGRAPHY
• photos have strong storytelling content and are effectively cropped • photos are technically strong and show evidence of composition rules
*For more details, see complete criteria for categories 1, 8, 9, 13 and 20
A Cut Above 27
Index Index
Creative use of graphics, typography, photos and/or short features to enhance the presentation of the index.
Guidelines
• complete listing of all persons, events, clubs, activities, sports and advertisements • set in readable font and size • attractive design that adds to overall impressions
First place winners by division 1 Sarah Coalson & Megan Cesgrone Athens
2 Katelyn Leach Utica 3 Megan Mahaffy, Lisa Averill & Alexis Bunka Fenton 4 Jennifer Allen, Betsy Hirchman & Heather Whaley Ithaca
28 A Cut Above
By Megan Mahaffy, Lisa Averill & Alexis Bunka, Fenton High School
Theme Development Theme Development
Theme selection and development. Entry must include cover, endsheets, opening, dividers and closing.
Guidelines
By Staff, Breckenridge High School
• theme selection is fresh and contemporary as well as appropriate to the individual school • theme concept is introduced visually/verbally on cover • theme concept carries through visualy/verbally on endsheet, opening, dividers and closing showing careful development • photos on theme spreads relate to theme concept as part of total theme package • overall design of theme spreads is fresh and contemporary, setting them apart from other sections of the book • while designs may be innovative, they adhere to journalistic guidelines and show evidence of careful planning
First place winners by division
1 Chelsea Spata-Merrill, Kelsey Guyselman, Kelsey O’Neil & Bob Thorson Grand Ledge 2 Staff Utica 3 Alexis Bunka & Jessi Brooks Fenton 4 Staff Breckenridge
A Cut Above 29