12 Journalism II students competed in the IHSA Journalism Sectionals at Minooka High School this past weekend. Joliet West competed against Waubonsie Valley, Homewood-Flossmoor, Lincoln-Way East, Minooka, Naperville Central & North, and Plainfield Central, East & South.

Journalism students have been preparing for sectionals all year and had a chance to practice their skills this past February, at the Minooka Invitational. This  practice round was conducted as sectionals normally are. This was the first year that Minooka held an invitational. Journalism advisors decided they wanted their students to have an extra opportunity to practice their events before the actual competition. All students who attended the invitational did exceptionally well, and West took home three first place medals, with several second and third place winners.

“We did amazingly well at the Minooka invitational this year,” said journalism advisor, Mrs. Galloy.

Students worked diligently on Mac computers during their events, producing articles during blocks such as sports, editorial, review and news writing. Students also competed in events like broadcasting, advertising, photography and headline writing.

“I’m really glad that we got to use Mac computers because they’re more high-tech than the computers at West. It was a great opportunity for us and I’m so proud of everyone that competed and everything we have accomplished because we have grown together as a little family of writers,” said junior, Hannah Tadey.

The following students are to be congratulated:

Pilar Cisneros – 1^st Place Infographic Design
Anna Simek – 2^nd Place Copy Editing
Sarah Volante – 4^th Yearbook Copy Writing
Alexa Ortiz & Sarah Volante – 4^th Yearbook Theme Development
Rebecca Haller – 6^th Broadcasting
Bianca Sarver – 6^th Feature Photography
Joe Wolnik – 5^th Advertising
Hannah Tadey – 5^th Newspaper Design
Jordan Kessler – 4^th Entertainment Writing
Taylor Foote – 4^th Editorial Writing
Susie DeRoss – 5^th Newswriting

Pilar Cisneros and Anna Simek are advancing to the IHSA State Finals this Friday, April 27 at Eastern Illinois University. For results log onto www.ihsa.org, select the Journalism tab and access Speech Wire.

“Our sectional was a tougher one this year, as there were new judges and a set of different schools to compete against. We once again performed to our best and I’m proud of each and everyone of my journalists,” concluded Galloy.