North Platte High School journalism students earned 12 top awards in the Nebraska Journalism Education Association (JEA) 2015 winter contest. Editor-in-chief Ethan Darling said he is proud of his team’s dedication to the program. “Going into this, we didn’t really know how well we would compete with the other publications around the state,” Darling said. The North Platte High School Bulldogger staff earned recognition in nearly every category they competed in winning Superior, Excellent and Honorable Mention ranks. “I was hoping we would earn an award or two in this contest, but when I saw how well the staff did, I was elated!” journalism adviser Lori Larson said. Darling said his goal this year was to inform the public about more pressing concerns. “We started tackling real issues that actually affect the student body,” he said. He also said the higher quality publications are a result of the students’ strong work ethic. Larson said the staff is well-deserving of their recognition. “These students work just as hard and effectively has professional reporters.” Darling said he is grateful for the opportunity to work in the journalism program. “It has been one of my most important classes in my entire high school career,” he said.
The journalism staff was allowed to submit work in up to 21 categories for pieces that were completed before December 2015. Entries from each category were judged by professional journalists, college students in journalism programs, and veteran high school advisers from across the nation. The NPHS journalism students were honored for their reporting, editorials, and design pieces.

Complete JEA-Nebraska Contest Results:

http://www.omahamarian.org/nhspa/2016/JEANEB16.htm