Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Adela Armendariz throws a beanbag at a target during back-to-school festivities Aug. 23 at House Elementary School. This photo was part of Evelyn Garrett's state champion newspaper photojournalism portfolio.
Two House High School students recently brought home awards from a state journalism competition.
Evelyn Garrett, a junior, won first place in newspaper photojournalism, and Gilbert Swaim, a sophomore, finished third place in sportswriting at the New Mexico Activities Association/New Mexico Scholastic Press Association State Scholastic Publications Competition on Jan. 25 in Albuquerque, according to a news release.
Garrett presented three photographs that had run in the school newspaper, the House Roundup.
A professional photojournalist judged the competition, asking the competitors questions about their photos and offering suggestions for improvement.
Swaim watched a video clip from a ballgame and wrote an article during the competition.
Class does not divide the journalism competition, so the House students had to compete against much larger schools.
House sophomore Matthew Sperry, freshman Laci Meadors and eighth-grader Tristan Muñoz also participated in the competition.
Superintendent Bonnie Lightfoot praised the students' efforts.
"I'm really proud of the work the House journalism students put into developing their skills," she said. "Their talents may one day lead them down a career path, but I'm also proud of the written and photo history they are leaving as a legacy to House schools."
This was the second consecutive year a House student won the newspaper photojournalism contest. Then-senior Ellie Aikman earned first place in the 2019 contest.