Journalism & Student Publications

2017 National Convention/Contest in Dallas, Texas

It is with extreme pleasure that we share the results of the National High School Journalism Write Off Contest, the on-site competitive portion of the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention, Nov. 16-19, in Dallas, Texas.  Sixteen juniors and seniors represented Marian and the state of Nebraska. Special congratulations to the following nine young women who earned national recognition among the best of the best high school journalists:

Superior
Evelyn Paul ’18 — Graphic Design: Logo
Shanon McSweeney ’18 — Feature Writing

Excellent
Julia Veik ’18 — Literary Magazine: Photography
Sofia Herrera ’18 — First Year Photography
Audrey Hertel ’18 — Themed Photography
Ellie Farner ’19 — Yearbook Copy/Caption: Sports

Honorable Mention
Allison Ostapowicz ’18 — Literary Magazine: Poetry
Kathryn More ’18 — Yearbook Copy/Caption: Clubs
Courtney Kilroy ’18 — Yearbook Copy/Caption: Academics

Other competitors from Marian included Grace Sall ’18, Allison Martin ’18, Hailie Rydel ’18, Audrey Yost ’18, Lizzie Byrne ’19, Joey Carollo ’19 and Lauren Elliot ’19.

Last spring’s BURN literary magazine also earned recognition in the Best Design of the Year Contest sponsored by the National Scholastic Press Association.  Erin Walter ’17 designed the spread that was displayed.

Almost 5,000 high school journalists were in attendance at this convention. The participants attended workshops and seminars presented by award-winning journalists and nationally acclaimed media professionals.

2016 National Convention/Contest in Indianapolis, Indiana

Superior
There Finn-Jackson ’17 — Graphic Design: Advertising
Susana Pettis ’17 — Literary Magazine Poetry

Excellent
Brianna Wessling ’17 — Literary Magazine Illustration
Annika Zimmerman ’17 — Graphic Design: Logo

Honorable Mention
Isabelle Swanson ’17 — Feature Writing
Becca Williams ’17 — Yearbook Layout: Inside Pages
Anna Mantini ’17 — Themed Photography
Courtney Doherty ’17 — Portrait Photography

2015 National Convention/Contest in Orlando, Florida

Marian journalism students received national recognition for their work in yearbook photo illustration and writing at the 2015 National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) Contest in Orlando, Fla. in November. Graduate Kelsey O’Connell (’15)’s photo illustration in the 2015 yearbook received honorable mention in the National Design of the Year competition!

In the National Write-Off Contest, which had more than 2,000 entries nationwide, eight Marian seniors finished among the top writers.

Superior
Ally Hermanek ’16 — Graphic Design: Photo Illustration

Excellent
Isabelle Swanson ’16 — Feature Writing

Honorable Mention
Kaitlin McKenna ’16 — Graphic Design: Advertising
Hannah Johnson ’16 — Graphic Design: Infographics
Makenzie Fuss ’16 — Graphic Design: Logo
Molly Miller ’16 — Literary Magazine: Photography
Noelle Pick ’16 — Commentary Writing
Devon Gottsch ’16 — Review Writing

2014

The 2014 yearbook cover received third place in the National Design of the Year competition, Illustration Division! It was a staff effort last year to create this cover, but it was primarily the work of Anna Krettek ’14, Jill Salerno ’14 and Meghan Schumacher ’14. The three current seniors who were in attendance at the convention, Emmie McMinn, Taylor Eicher and Blair Kellner, were more than happy to accept their plaques and recognition in front of the 6,200 student journalist audience at the awards ceremony.

In the NSPA Photo of the Year competition, 2014 yearbook photo editor Shannon Smith ’14 was a finalist in the Feature Photo category. Her photo of the Dance Team girls preparing for a dance captivated the crowd and was named first place! Smith’s award was humbly accepted by Emmie McMinn, photo editor for the 2015 Network.

In the National Write-Off Contest, which had more than 2,000 competitors, McMinn, Eicher and Kellner competed with the nation’s best high school journalists. All three were proud of their efforts and at Sunday’s closing awards ceremony, McMinn was recognized with an Honorable Mention in the Newspaper Sports Photography category. Kellner wrote an admirable feature on a Hurricane Katrina victim and Eicher wrote a convincing commentary on the value of technology in the classroom. These topics were given on the spot and the girls competed in a two-hour time slot with others in the same category.

“It was kind of intimidating walking into a room full of people not knowing what you are going to write about because we are so used to picking our own stories. In the end, I felt like I did a good job because I was able to incorporate everything I’ve learned in journalism,” Kellner said.

2018 – State Champions!

Class A State Champions
Audrey Yost ’18 — Sports Photography
Anna Kilzner ’18 — News Photography
Andie Mikuls ’18 — Yearbook Theme Copy Writing

2nd Place Finishes
Delaney Stekr ’18 — Entertainment Review
Shannon McSweeney ’18 — Headline Writing

3rd Place Finishes
Courtney Kilroy ’18 — Yearbook Theme Copy Writing
Julia Veik ’18 — Feature Writing
Sofia Herrera ’18 — Editorial Cartooning

4th Place Finishes
Caroline Drew ’19 — Advertising

5th Place Finishes
Maria Piperis ’19 — Editorial Cartooning
Sam Fabian ’18 — Infographic
And Mikuls ’18 — Yearbook Feature Writing
Emma Roth ’18 — Yearbook Layout
Audrey Hertel ’18 — Photo Illustration
Courtney Kilroy ’18, Emma Roth ’18 and Evelyn Paul ’18 — Yearbook Theme Development
Lizzie Byrne ’18, Abby Butler ’19 and Macy Salerno ’19 — Broadcast PSA

6th Place Finishes
Lily Gonzalez ’19, Clara Roth ’19 and Kaji Loro ’19 — Broadcast Feature Story
Emily Diesing ’19 — Editorial Cartooning
Maddie Robertson ’18 — Editorial Writing

Top 12 Finishes:
Hailie Rydel ’18 — Entertainment Writing and Headline Writing
Allison Ostapowicz ’18 — Editorial Writing and Newspaper Layout
Abby McLaughlin ’18 — Entertainment Writing
Delaney Kottke ’18 — Yearbook Feature Writing
Sofia Herrera ’18 — Advertising
Lizzie Byrne ’19, Macy Salerno ’19 and Abby Butler ’19 — Broadcast Feature Story
Jenna Cusick ’19, Mackenzie Kilton ’19 and Madison Bezousek ’19 — Broadcast Feature Story and Broadcast Sports Story
Katie Rosenbaum ’19, Joey Carollo ’19 and Kat Pelton ’19 — Broadcast Public Service Announcement & Broadcast Sports Story

This state title belongs to all journalism students (J1 and J2) for their efforts in supporting each other and making publications happen.

2017

Class A State Champions
Megan Szwanek ’17 — Yearbook Sports Feature Writing

3rd Place Finishes
Becca Williams ’17 — Yearbook Theme Copy Writing
Isabelle Swanson ’17 — Headline Writing

4th Place Finishes
Vienna Tang ’17 — Advertising

5th Place Finishes
Ellie Mulligan ’17, Emily Doll ’17 and Brianna Wessling ’17 — Indepth Newspaper Coverage

6th Place Finishes
Carmen Miller ’17 — Newswriting

Top 12 Finishes:
Megan Szwanek ’17 — Photo/Artistic Illustration and Advertising
Carmen Miller ’17 — News/Feature Photography
Allie Morrissey ’17 — Entertainment Review Writing
Ellie Rommelfanger ’17 — Editorial Writing
Emma Herold ’17 — Advertising
Becca Willians ’17 and entire yearbook staff — Yearbook Theme Development
Ellie Mulligan ’17, Natalie Kemler ’17, Amalea Poulos ’17 and Sydney Monahan ’17 — Indepth Newspaper Coverage

Marian finished in 8th place of the 37 Class A schools participating in 2017.

2016

Class A State Champions:
Devon Gottsch ’16 — Column Writing
Tessa McLaughlin ’16 — Editorial Writing
Kathryn Baginski ’16 — Entertainment Review Writing

3rd Place Finishes:
Maria Sakowski ’16 — Yearbook Sports Feature Writing
Kathryn Baginski ’16 — Editorial Writing

4th Place Finishes:
Ally Hermanek ’16 — Photo Illustration
Maria Sakowski ’16 — Yearbook Feature Writing

5th Place Finishes:
Rachel Sedlacek ’16 — Advertising

6th Place Finishes:
Jamie Rosenthal ’16 — Yearbook Layout
Kellyn Daly ’16 — Column Writing

Top 12 finishes:
Kateri Determan ’16 — Sports/Action Photography
Molly McKillip ’16 and yearbook staff — Yearbook Theme Development
Kaitlin McKenna ’16 — Advertising
McKenna Simpson ’16 — Advertising
Clara Wertzberger ’16 — Editorial Cartooning
Collette Gillaspie ’16 — Graphic Illustration
Abby Hermanek ’16 — Graphic Illustration
Rachel Johnson ’16 — Newswriting
Katie Drobny ’16 — Yearbook Layout

Marian came in 4th in Sweepstakes.

2015

Class A State Champions
Kayla Sullivan ’15, Charlotte Elsasser ’15, Erin Carollo ’15 and Emmie McMinn ’15 — In-Depth Newspaper Coverage
Maggie Mainelli ’15 — Sports News Writing
Megan Smith ’15 — First place in Graphic Illustration
Kelsey O’Connell ’15 — Photo Illustration

2nd Place Finishes
Mary Woodruff ’15 — Yearbook Layout
Mary Woodruff ’15 — Yearbook Theme Copy Writing
Sadie Ahsan ’15 — Yearbook Feature Writing
Sarah Mullen ’15 — Graphic Illustration

3rd Place Finishes
Megan Smith ’15 — Editorial Cartooning
Emmie McMinn ’15 — Photo Illustration
Kayla Young ’15 — Yearbook Sports Feature Writing
Maria Valadez ’15 — Newspaper Layout

4th Place Finishes
Emily Bashus ’15 — Newspaper Layout
Kelsey O’Connell ’15 — News/Feature Photography

6th Place Finishes
Erin Carollo ’15 — Advertising
Summer Baldwin ’15 and Grace Bradford ’15 — Yearbook Theme Development
Maeve Nelson ’15 — Graphic Illustration

2018

1st Place Finishes
Maddie Robertson — Opinion Writing
Hayley Golden — Feature Writing
Shannon McSweeney — Column/Blog Writing
Courtney Kilroy — Yearbook Copy Writing
Audrey Hertel and Audrey Yost — Graphics/Photo Illustration
Delaney Stekr — Environmental Writing
Audrey Yost — Sports Photography

2nd Place Finishes
Maria Determan — Feature Story
Anna Kilzer — Yearbook Layout

Honorable Mention
Samantha Fabian — Feature Writing
Hailie Rydel — Editorial Writing
Sofia Herrera — Cartooning
Delaney Stekr — Review Writing

All first place entries moved on to the national contest and four students earned national recognition:
Madeline Robertson — 1st Place Opinion Writing
Delaney Stekr — 2nd Place Environmental Writing
Shannon McSweeney — 3rd Place Column/Blog Writing
Audrey Yost — 3rd place Sports Photo

2017

1st Place Finishes
Ellie Rommelfanger ’17 — Editorial
Isabelle Swanson ’17 — News Story
Ana Hingorani ’17 — Opinion
Megan Szwanek ’17 — Graphics

2nd Place Finishes
Brianna Wessling ’17 — Opinion
Emily Evans ’17 — Yearbook Layout

3rd Place Finishes
Ellie Mulligan ’17 — Columns or Blogs
Rebecca Williams ’17 — Layout

Honorable Mention
Ellie Mulligan ’17 — Double Truck Layout

2016

1st Place Finishes
Tessa McLaughlin ’16 — Editorial Writing

2nd Place Finishes
Ally Hermanek ’16 and McKenna Simpson — Graphics/Photo Illustration for the Yearbook cover

3rd Place Finishes
Colette Gillaspie ’16 — Column Writing

These journalists were recognized at a luncheon on Saturday, April 23 at UNL. Tessa won $100 for her first place finish and her editorial on refugees went on to the national contest.

2018

1st Place Awards
Grace Sall — Best News Story
Maria Determan — Best Sports Story
Delaney Stekr — Best Editorial
Hailie Rydel — Best Review
Caroline Drew — Best Ad
Hayley Golden — Best Newspaper Single-Page Layout
Audrey Hertel — Best Newspaper Two-Page Layout
Audrey Hertel and Audrey Yost — Best Original Art/Computer Graphics
Kaitlyn Rosenbaum, Joey Carollo and Katherine Pelton — Best News Broadcast

2nd Place Awards
Audrey Hertel, Hayley Golden and Lily Watkins — In-Depth Story by Team
Sofia Herrera — Best Ad
Anna Kilzer — Best Yearbook/Magazine Layout – (tie)
Sofia Herrera — Best Cartoon

3rd Place Awards
Anna Cook — Best Review – (tie)
Allison Ostapowicz — Best Newspaper Single-Page Layout
Audrey Hertel — Best Original Art/Computer Graphics – (tie)
Maria Piperis — Best Cartoon

Marians Network Newspaper won Best Newspaper for Class B (simply determined by enrollment size, not NSAA classification) – Editors are Maddie Robertson and Grace Sall. Marian Journalism won the Class B Sweepstakes Award.

2017

1st Place Awards
Marian — Sweepstakes
Brianna Wessling ’17 — Best Editorial
Ellie Mulligan ’17 — Best Two-Page Layout
Megan Szwanek ’17 — Best Advertisement
Megan Szwanek ’17 — Best Original Art/Computer Graphics
Isabelle Swanson ’17 — Best Review
Ellie Mulligan ’17 — Best Column

2nd Place Awards
Ellie Rommelfanger ’17 — Best Editorial
Emily Evans ’17 — Best Yearbook/Magazine Layout
Emma Herold ’17 — Best Advertisement
Maddie Mingo ’17 — Best Sports Story
Vienna Tang ’17 — Best Cartoon
Brianna Wessling ’17, Sydney Monahan ’17, Ellie Mulligan ’17, Kate Schwaller ’17, Natalie Kemler ’17, Erin Walter ’17, Emily Doll ’17, Carmen Miller ’17, Ellie Rommelfanger ’17 — Best In-depth Story by Team

3rd Place Awards
The Network — — Best Newspaper
Vienna Tang ’17 and Delaney Villarreal ’17 — Best Yearbook/Magazine Layout
Anna Mantini ’17 and Emily Evans ’17 — Best Yearbook/Magazine Layout
Ellie Mulligan ’17 — Best Two-Page Layout
Susana Pettis ’17 — Best News/Feature Photograph
Carmen Miller ’17 — Best News Story
Isabelle Swanson ’17 — Best Feature Story
Allie Morrissey ’17 — Best Review
Delaney Stekr ’18 and Grace Sall ’18 — Best Video PSA (This was for the Prom Announcement Video)
Makayla Sedlacek ’18, Courtney Kilroy ’18, Lily Watkins ’18 and Julia Veik ’18 — Best Video News Broadcast (This was for the December MBeat)

2016

1st Place Awards
Mary Kiscoan ’16 — Best Single-Page Layout
Anya Lindholm ’16 — Best Sports Story

2nd Place Awards
Tessa McLaughlin ’16 — Best Editorial
Clara Wertzberger ’16 — Best Feature Story
Collette Gillaspie ’16 — Best In-Depth Story
Clara Wertzberger ’16 — Best In-Depth Story
Elsie Stormberg ’16 — Best In-Depth Story
Collette Gillaspie ’16 — Best News Story
Elsie Stormberg ’16 — Best News Story
Lindsay Muse ’16 — Best Sports Photograph
Delaney Villarreal ’17 — Best PSA

3rd Place Awards
Kathryn Baginski ’16 — Best Feature Story – (tie)
Ally Kmiecik ’16 — Best Ad
Lindsay Muse ’16 — Best In-Depth Story
Mary Kiscoan ’16 — Best In-Depth Story
Devon Gottsch ’16 — Best In-Depth Story
Elsie Stormberg ’16 — Best Cartoon

The Network Newspaper — Best Newspaper Division B, 1st Place
The Network Newspaper — Sweepstakes Award, 2nd Place

Special thanks to three students (Elsie, Devon and Collette) who attended the Awards Ceremony on April 5th at UNO’s Scott Conference Center to accept the awards and bring the stack of certificates and the plaque back to school.

2017-2018

Superior
Andie Mikuls, ’18 — Yearbook Feature Writing
Anna Kilzer ’18 — Yearbook Layout
Grace Sall ’18 — Newspaper Sports Newswriting
Grace Sall ’18, Delaney Stekr ’18, Audrey Hertel ’18, Maria Determan ’18 and Maddie Robertson ’18 — Indepth Newspaper Coverage
Hayley Golden ’18 — Feature Writing
Maddie Robertson ’18 — Column Writing
Joey Carollo ’19, Kaitlyn Rosenbaum ’19, and Katherine Pelton ’19 — Broadcast Program
Burn Literary/Arts Magazine — Literary Magazine

Excellent
Allison Martin ’18 — Yearbook Sports Writing
Andie Mikuls ’18 — Yearbook Layout
Audrey Hertel ’18 — Column Writing
Audrey Hertel ’18 — Feature Writing
Audrey Hertel ’18, Hayley Golden ’18 and Lily Watson ’18 — Indepth Newspaper Coverage
Audrey Yost ’18 — Sports/Action Photography
Caroline Drew ’19 — Advertising
Delaney Stekr ’18 — Entertainment Review Writing
Hailie Rydel ’18 — Entertainment Review Writing
Joey Carollo ’19, Kaitlyn Rosenbaum ’19 and Katherine Pelton ’19 — Broadcast News Story
Maggie Prosser ’18 — Newspaper Sports Newswriting
Maria Determan ’18 — Newswriting
Macy Salerno ’19, Lizzie Byrne ’19 and Abby Butler ’19 — Broadcast Program
Sofia Herrera ’18 — Editorial Cartooning
Kaitlyn Rosenbaum ’19, Katherine Pelton ’19 and Joey Carollo ’19 — Broadcast Sports Story

Honorable Mention
Andie Mikuls ’18 — Yearbook Sports Writing
Delaney Stekr ’18 — Editorial Writing
Emma Roth ’18 — Yearbook Feature Writing
Audrey Otwell ’19, Anna Kenney ’19, Jolie Peal ’19 and Mary Watson ’19 — Broadcast Feature Story
Katherine Martin ’18 — Newspaper Sports Feature
Lizzie Byrne ’19, Abby Butler ’19 and Macy Salerno ’19 — Broadcast Feature Story
Maddie Robertson ’18 — Newswriting
Shannon McSweeney ’18 — Advertising
Shannon McSweeney ’18 — Advertising

2016-2017

Superior
Ana Hingorani ’17 — Column Writing
Ellie Mulligan ’17 — Column Writing
Carmen Miller ’17 — News/Feature Photography
Ellie Mulligan ’17 — Newspaper Layout
Emily Evans ’17 — Yearbook Layout
Lauren Mayer ’17 — Headline Writing
Lucy Boever ’17 — Yearbook Sports Writing
Maddie Mingo ’17 — Newspaper Sports News Writing
Brianna Wessling ’17, Ellie Mulligan ’17, Ellie Rommelfanger ’17, Carmen Miller ’17, Sydney Monahan ’17 — Newspaper Indepth Coverage

Excellent
Megan Szwanek ’17 — Advertising
Brianna Wessling ’17 — Editorial Writing
Ellie Rommelfanger ’17 — Editorial Writing
Brianna Wessling ’17 — Editorial Cartooning
Allie Morrissey ’17 — Entertainment Review Writing
Allie Morrissey ’17 — Newspaper Layout
Erin Walter ’17 — Newswriting
Maddie Mingo ’17 — Newspaper Sports Feature Writing
Victoria Ackermann ’17 — Newspaper Sports Feature Writing
Natalie Kemler ’17, Ellie Mulligan ’17, Amalea Poulos ’17, Sydney Monahan ’17 — Newspaper Indepth Coverage
Burn Literary Magazine — Fall Edition

Honorable Mention
Anna Mantini ’17 and Emily Evans ’17 — Yearbook Layout
Mary Kate Garriott ’17 and Sam Elkins ’17 — Yearbook Feature Writing
Vienna Tang ’17 — Editorial Cartooning
Natalie Kemler ’17 — Entertainment Review Writing
Claire Kilborn ’17 — Sports/Action Photography
Emily Evans ’17 — Sports/Action Photography
Kayla Constantino ’17 — Yearbook Sports Writing
Erin Walter ’17 — Newspaper Sports News Writing
Ellie Rommelfanger ’17 — Newswriting
Ellie Mulligan ’17 — Graphic Illustration
Ellie Mulligan ’17 — News/Feature Photography
Diana Elizalde ’18, Kate Kellen ’18, Julia Hingorani ’18, Allison Martin ’18 — Broadcast Program – M-Beat from August 2016

2015-2016

Superior
Collette Gillaspie ’16 — Column Writing
Collette Gillaspie ’16 — Newspaper Layout
Kellyn Daly ’16 — Sports News Writing
Caitlin Ricker ’16 and Emily McKenna ’16 — Yearbook Layout
Jamie Rosenthal ’16 and Kaitlyn Pfannnenstiel ’16 — Yearbook Layout
Molly McKillip ’16, Ally Hermanek ’16 and McKenna Simpson ’16 — Yearbook Theme Copy Writing

Excellent
Devon Gottsch ’16 — Column Writing
Collette Gillaspie ’16 — Graphic Illustration
Ann Porter ’16 — Headline Writing
Megan Keyser ’16 — Newspaper Layout
Elsie Stormberg ’16 and Collette Gillaspie ’16 — Newswriting
Kathryn Baginski ’16 — NP Feature Writing
Anya Lindholm ’16 — Sports News Writing
Kateri Determan ’16 — Yearbook Sports Feature
Katie Drobny ’16 — Yearbook Theme Copy Writing

Honorable Mention
Ellie Mulligan ’16 — Editorial Writing
Devon Gottsch ’16 — Entertainment Review Writing
Clara Wertzberger ’16 — Graphic Illustration
Rachel Johnson ’16 — Headline Writing
Collette Gillaspie ’16, Noelle Pick ’16, Ally Kmiecik ’16 and Rachel Johnson ’16 — Indepth Newspaper Coverage
Elsie Stormberg ’16 — News/Feature Photography
Rachel Johnson ’16 — Newswriting
Devon Gottsch ’16 — NP Feature Writing
Collette Gillaspie ’16 — Photo Illustration
Kateri Determan ’16 and Kaitlin McKenna ’16 — Yearbook Feature Writing
Maria Sakowski ’16 — Yearbook Sports Feature

This international honorary society for high school journalists was chartered in 1958 at Marian. It recognizes members of the journalism program who meet the standards set by the organization. Click here to view the Marian Quill and Scroll website with an archive of past inductees.