By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
A group of young journalists at Yukon High School earned many awards in Oklahoma Scholastic Media (OSM)’s 108th Annual State Publications Competition.
Featuring a newsroom buzzing with talent, members of The Insight staff received top honors during the recent Spring Media Day and are being recognized across the school district for their achievements.
“I’m so proud of these students’ accomplishments,” said Jennifer Bean, the YHS journalism, yearbook and newspaper advisor. “They truly are remarkable journalists. It’s inspiring to see their work ethic and how much they care about sharing their peers’ stories. I look forward to seeing them continue to grow and thrive in their craft.”
Jack Dever’s documentary, “The Faces of Radio,” was so impressive an award was created and named for him – The Jack Dever Scholastic Short-Form Documentary Award.
This award – now one of only five individual awards at OSM – recognizes the innovative spirit of student journalism in the form of storytelling.
As a result of Jack being a pioneer in this form of student journalism, the award was named in his honor and has solidified his name in the history of student journalism in Oklahoma.
Zoey VanGordon was named Photographer of the Year for Newspaper. Out of all the submissions across the state, Zoey’s stunning photo portfolio came out on top.
Both Zoey and Jack are ranked among the top five student journalists in Oklahoma.
Yukon Public Schools’ officials asked district patrons to “continue to support and celebrate the incredible achievements of all our young journalists!”
LIST OF WINNERS
Here is a full list of the 20 YHS newspaper and online awards earned from OSM Day:
- Critical Review: Movie – Kage Tutor, honorable mention, “Lights. Camera. Action! Best Movies of 2023.”
- Feature: General or News – Brynn Jackson, second place, “The Influence of the Present.”
- Feature: Profile – Carmen Osio Rodriguez, first place, “Vianca Ramos: Building Relationships with Students.”
- Feature: Student Life – Emma Johnson, second place, “Pet for a Cause.”
• Feature: Entertainment and Culture – Gwen Vaughn, third place, “Holiday Memories: Making Christmas.” - Feature: Entertainment and Culture – Carmen Osio Rodriguez, second place, “Dia De Los Muertos: Honoring the Life That They Had.”
- Front Page or Single Page Design – Kage Tudor, honorable mention, Front Page Design.
- Front Page of Single Page Design – Lucas Punneo and Kage Tudor, third place, Throwback Edition.
- Graphic Design Element – Emma Johnson, second place, “2024 New Year’s Resolutions.”
- Graphic Design Element – Emma Johnson, first place, “Valentines and the Question of Love.”
- Online News Story – Kage Tudor, second place, “Veteran Father Returns to His Daughter at Homecoming.”
- Online News Story – Emma Johnson, first place, “All of eSports Makes it to State for the First Time.”
- Opinion-Column – Emma Johnson, third place, “Senior Emotions.”
- Photography: Feature, Sports or Photo Essay – Carmen Osio Rodriguez, second place, “Thrift Drip. In with the New – Out with the Old.”
- Video News Story – Jack Dever, second place, “Advancements in Artificial Intelligence Have Pros and Cons.”
- Photographer of the Year – Zoey VanGordon.
- Inaugural Jack Dever Scholastic Short-Form Documentary Award – Jack Dever, “Faces of Radio.”
- Highest Honors – Online.
- Highest Honors – Print.
- All-Oklahoma (Top Four Newspapers in the State) – Print Edition.
The work of YHS journalism students is on display regularly in The Insight, published in The Yukon Progress’ print and online editions.
The last issue was published in the April 24th Yukon Progress.
