2010 Contest Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the 2010 Santa Clara University Communication Department High School Journalism Competition.

News Story
Andrew Sulayao
San Lorenzo High School
"Budget Cuts Affecting SLZUSD for 2010-2010"

Sulayao, editor-in-chief of the Rebel Record student newspaper, chronicled how budget cuts would affect San Lorenzo schools. Judge Will Harper, managing editor of SF Weekly, commented: "Budget stories are difficult because they can be boring and confusing. But this was clear and it captured the conflict over what would be cut."

Feature Story
Naomi Cohen
Mountain View High School
"Speaking Habits Based on Surrounding Culture"

Cohen explored the enduring popularity of the "Valley Girl" lingo and its cultural implications. Judge Chris Colin, a freelance journalist who has written for The New York Times, Mother Jones, and Smithsonian commented: "I love that Cohen takes a strong opinion right from the start, and doesn't dilute it with equivocal language; when she finds something disturbing, she says so. What's more, she doesn't just coast on her own impressions. She seems driven by a genuine curiosity."

Sports Story
Janel Johnson
Jefferson High School
"Going, Going, Gone! Budget Cuts May Strike Out Baseball Team

Johnson detailed how budget shortfalls endangered the school baseball team. Judge Jeremy Herb, who is a reporter for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, commented: "Clear, concise writing style that's easy to follow. Nice story!"