As senior Jordan Mcdowell was sitting in her chair, her anxiety was building. She hears third place Editor of the Year and second place Editor of the Year was called, and it wasn’t her.

Her name was then called,  and Mcdowell had won at Editor of the Year at the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association high school journalism convention April 12-13.

“I knew that I had placed, so after the first two names were called, I just knew I had gotten first. It was so cool and exciting,” she said.

The convention held breakout sessions for students to learn about ways to improve their skill. Also offered were multiple on-site competitions for all student publications.

“It was all a really cool experience. There were break sessions and booths set up so we could talk to people, and a lot of the time was spent in the award ceremony. We had to be super respective and introduce ourselves correctly,” said Mcdowell.

TV production received many rewards. Senior Lindsey Coulter was awarded runner-up Journalist of the Year, and senior Zoie Piazza received runner-up Producer of the Year. The student media won All-Arkansas for the third year in a row.

“I was really surprised that I did as well as I did. The most surprising one was getting first place onsite news writing. Because I did the same on-site I had done in the fall that didn’t place. Fayetteville got second, and I looked down at my teacher, and I was like, there’s no way I got first. Then they called my name, and it was just an awesome feeling,” said Piazza.

Trent Jones, the TV production teacher, tied for Adviser of the Year, and was completely shocked by the experience.

“It was completely humbling to be honored with such an award,” said Mr. Jones.