2013 Santa Clara University Communication Department High School Journalism Competition Winners Announced

Congratulations to the winners of the 2013 Santa Clara University Communication Department High School Journalism Competition

News Story

First Place
Vijay Edupuganti
Oregon Episcopal School
Journalism Teacher/Adviser: Kara Tambellini
"The Few. The Proud. The Pained."

Edupuganti, writing for Blowfish, an online student publication, explores the mental health challenges faced by war veterans and profiles the healthcare workers trying to provide care and outreach in this compelling story.

Second Place (Tie)

Laura Darken

San Marin High School

Journalism Teacher/Adviser: Scott MacLeod

“Teaching to the Test”

Second Place (Tie)

Julia Raven

San Marin High School

Journalism Teacher/Adviser: Scott MacLeod

“Bridging the Academic Gap”

Feature Story

First Place
Natalie Lerner
Oregon Episcopal School
Journalism Teacher/Adviser: Alana Kaholokula
"Sex in the City Schools"

Lerner describes the evolution of sex education in Portland schools in a heavily reported and well-written story that appeared in Blowfish.

Second Place (Tie)

Anna Hardcastle

North Shore Hebrew Academy High School

Journalism Teacher/Adviser: April Zabinksy

“R.I.P. Amanda Todd”

Second Place (Tie)

Chloe Cheng

San Marin High School

Journalism Teacher/Adviser: Scott MacLeod

“Things to Know Before You Go: College Myths Exposed”

Second Place (Tie)

Lauren Gabrio
Oregon Episcopal School
Journalism Teacher/Adviser: Robin Schauffler
"A Room for Mercy"

Sports Story

First Place
John Truong
San Gabriel High School
Journalism Teacher/Adviser: Jennifer Kim
"Team Rituals and Cheers Increase Overall Confidence"

Writing in The Matador, Truong describes pre-game sports rituals with great detail and insight.

Thanks to all the schools and student journalists who participated in this year's competition. Critiques for all entries will be emailed to journalism advisers.

Winners from Oregon Episcopal School

Seniors Sam and Miranda from the Oregon Episcopal School in Portland won first-place awards in the 2012 Santa Clara University High School Journalism Competition. Both submitted projects they had done as part of the Literary Journalism Project in junior English classes with teachers Kara Tambellini and Rick Rees (at right). Sam won first place in sports writing for his article titled "Chump Car Racing: Real Racing, Real Tracks, Real Cheap Cars." Miranda received first place in news writing for "Shelving Books? The Fate of Independent Bookstores and the Printed Word." The stories were published in the Upper School's online newspaper, the Blophish, and can be read there by clicking the links above.

2012 Winners Announced

Congratulations to the winners of the 2012 Santa Clara University Communication Department High School Journalism Competition.

News Story

First Place
Miranda Roethler
Oregon Episcopal School
Journalism Teacher/Adviser: Kara Tambellini
"Shelving Books"


Roethler, writing for Blowfish, an online student publication, examined the fate of independent bookstores and the printed word in the age of digital publishing. Judge Jeremy Herb, a reporter for The Hill, commented: "The author is clearly a talented writer and has a style that's both sophisticated and easy to read."

Feature Story

First Place
Camille Gacoscos
Jefferson High School
Daly City, CA
Journalism Teacher/Adviser: Susan Sutton Callahan
"Holocaust Survivor Shares Painful Past"


In Tom-Tom, the Jefferson High student newspaper, Gacoscos movingly detailed the life of George J. Elbaum and his struggle for survival during World War II. Judge Mick Normington called it a "compelling story that captured a compelling life."

Sports Story

First Place
Sam LeFeber
Oregon Episcopal School
Journalism Teacher/Adviser: Kara Tambellini
"Real Racing, Real Tracks, Real Drivers, Real Cheap Cars"

LeFeber describes the world of amateur auto racing in a fast-paced story that appeared in Blowfish. Judge Max Garrone praised the story's "incredible and compelling" use of quotes, and the author's ability to capture the racing scene.

Thanks to all the schools and student journalists who participated in this year's competition. Critiques for all entries will be emailed to journalism advisers.

Deadline is May 4th

Just a reminder that the deadline for the 2012 contest is May 4th. Please have your entries postmarked by that date. The entry form can be downloaded from the tab above or the link in the right-hand column.

2011 Winners Announced

Congratulations to the winners of the 2011 Santa Clara University Communication Department High School Journalism Competition.

News Story

First Place
Maru Arellano
Jefferson High School
Daly City, CA
Journalism Teacher/Adviser: Susan Sutton Callahan
"Citizenship dreams dissipate with end of DREAM Act"

Arellano, writing for the Tom-Tom student newspaper, chronicled the failure of an immigration reform bill to pass the Senate. Judge Jeremy Herb, a Washington correspondent for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, wrote: "Very nice reporting that explains and localizes a national issue."

Feature Story

First Place
Jamie Brown
Jefferson High School
Daly City, CA
Journalism Teacher/Adviser: Susan Sutton Callahan
"Ocular enthusiasts go gaga over new contacts"

Brown explored the latest Lady Gaga-inspired fashion trend for the Tom-Tom student newspaper. Judge Katie Powers, a freelance journalist, praised Brown's "strong voice" in a story that was "engaging, crisp and fun to read."

Honorable Mention
Olivia Ly
KIPP San Jose Collegiate
San Jose, CA
Journalism Teacher/Adviser: Keely Sweeny Gabbert
"Samantha Alberto on Call of Duty"

Sports Story

First Place
Clarence Ramirez
Jefferson High School
Daly City, CA
Journalism Teacher/Adviser: Susan Sutton Callahan
"Softball season strikes out"

Ramirez reveals the real reason there will be no softball played at Jefferson High this year. Judge Max Garrone, an online media consultant, wrote: "Excellent quotes reflect your strong reporting in this story."

Thanks to all the schools and student journalists who participated in this year's competition. Critiques for all entries will be mailed to journalism advisers.

2011 Contest Update

Thank you for all the entries. They have been distributed to the judges. Good luck.

Today's the Day!

Monday, May 9, is the deadline for the 2011 Competition. Please have your entries postmarked today.