Jennifer Klosterboer has watched her journalism program grow from year to year at Atascocita High School.
The growth can be measured in numbers, such as producing more issues of the Talon, the AHS campus newspaper. Now, they can gauge it in awards.
At the Texas Association of Journalism Educators annual Fall Fiesta Contest, AHS Eagles Media walked away with numerous awards, including second place overall in the News - Large School category for the Talon.
“Last year was only the second year that we have printed a newspaper since I have been the adviser,” Klosterboer said. “We printed two issues in the 2022-2023 school year and one issue for the 2021-2022 school year. I am proud of the staff members for producing a quality newspaper. Our staff is small but they work hard to cover the events at AHS.”
Including the second-place finish by the newspaper, AHS Eagles Media brought home eight total awards.
Junior Ainsley Ash, who is the Sports Editor, brought home a Superior award for a Digital Photo-Lines entry and for a Feature Photo entry.
Seniors Katie Munoz and Hannah Vadhar did not attend the convention but they submitted their photos before the convention. Munoz received Honorable Mention in Sports Reaction Photo and Vadhar received Honorable Mentions in two categories, Portrait and Portfolio.
In the video category, Bristol Keyes, Class of 2023, received an Honorable Mention in Video Feature. The feature video was filmed by Keyes, and fellow alum Ava Loth interviewed students, fans, players and coaches at one of the pep rallies. In the writing categories, senior Maria Rodriguez received an Excellent award in Feature Writing. This is the second time Rodriguez has won an award at Fall Fiesta. Last year, she received an Excellent award in the same category.
Being recognized for newspaper, photography and video is a great step for her program, Klosterboer said as they have just recently started entering contests.
“All of these students are on the yearbook staff and/or the newspaper staff. Together, we call ourselves AHS Eagles Media,” Klosterboer said. “I think students get better and better each year. The best part about our program is that it is student led. The students teach each other, encourage each other and produce content that receives positive feedback from the community. I just help facilitate their growth and guide them.
“To place second in the newspaper category for large schools definitely gives the students confidence that they can put out a comprehensive newspaper. Our next issue is coming out soon.”
Pictured Above: (Left to right) Senior and yearbook business editor Hannah Vadhar, yearbook sports editor junior Ainsley Ash, senior and Editor-in-Chief Katie Munoz, senior and newspaper co-Editor-in-Chief Maria Rodriguez and senior and newspaper co-Editor-in-Chief Caroline Gullion.