On April 9, Joliet West journalism students competed at the IHSA Journalism Sectionals. The students finished second place as a team after participating in individual categories from writing, design, to broadcast news.

The journalists placed in every category, with four-first place awards. Additionally, twelve students qualified for the upcoming state finals by finishing in the top three of their category. 

“I couldn’t be more proud of the entire team! Majority are brand new to the program and have never competed at this level before and every single person knocked it out of the park!” explained the team’s advisor Ms. Galloy. “Despite not having a lab or studio this year we still came out on top, it wasn’t easy but we did it! Looking forward to state!”

April 9 marked the final sectional competition for Tiger Tales editors-in-chief Haley Maser and Megan Krok. “I am so proud of the entire team for this huge accomplishment,” said Maser. “My last four years in the journalism program have been so amazing and I’ve made many treasured memories. I am very excited to see everyone carry on the legacy.”

Senior Megan Krok explains, “I’m so proud of myself for making it to state for the second year in a row. I am even more proud of the team filled with so many fresh faces in the journalism department that will be representing us at state as well!”

For Alih Rangel, the event was her first IHSA journalism competition. “Being my first sectional competition, it felt great to get first place. I loved the learning experience, and it’s been so awesome to see how my design skills have improved over time,” she explained. “I’m really looking forward to State. My first sectional is a high school memory I’ll never forget!”

The IHSA Journalism State Final will take place on Friday, April 22, at Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois. Joliet West will be represented in 13 of the 18 categories.

The sectional winners include: 

Alih Rangel (1st Place Yearbook Layout & 4th Place Infographics)

Haley Maser (1st Place Newspaper Design & 1st Place Headline Writing)

Sarah Shay (1st Place Editorial Writing & 4th Place Copy Editing)

Sydney Holmes (2nd Place Editorial Cartooning & 3rd Place Advertising)

Nancy Patel (2nd Place News Writing & 5th Place Yearbook Copy Writing)

Megan Krok (3rd Place: Feature Writing & 3rd Place Yearbook Caption Writing)

Arianna Westbrooks (3rd Place Broadcast News)

Cheyenne Smith (3rd Place Photo Storytelling)

Braden Brophy & Tiffany Trizna (3rd Place Video News)

Caitlyn & Molly Murdock-Schey (3rd Place Yearbook Theme Development)

Mariah Brooks (4th Place Review Writing)

Natalie Bartelt (4th Place Sports Writing)

State Update (4/25):

The Joliet West journalism team attended the IHSA State Finals on April 22. The competition took place at Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois. The student journalists competed in twelve categories, with senior and editor-in-chief Haley Maser winning 5th place in Headline Writing.