Excellence

Journalism Students Sweep State Competitions, Advance to National Level

The Press Women of Texas High School Journalism Competition award committee recently announced the winners of their state contest. Midway CTE Commercial Photography and Graphic Design students earned a total of 29 honors for writing, design, and digital photography, which includes work completed between February of 2020 and February of 2021. 

Midway journalism students were also honored with 16 Individual Achievement Awards by the Interscholastic League Press.

These students are some of the 50 staff members of the Midway High School yearbook and newspaper who produce a 216-page yearbook and a monthly eight- to 16-page newspaper. The students write, photograph, and design all aspects of their publications while under the supervision of adviser Jamie Beavers.

By publishing their own work, they learn a variety of real-world skills including professional communication, leadership, time management, problem solving and marketing strategies.

Congratulations to the following Press Women of Texas state winners!

First Place:
These students are advancing to the national Press Women of Texas competition in June!
Katie Baird, Junior – yearbook photo called Science Flame Lab 
Julia Beck, Graduate – yearbook layout category for School Spirit Spread 
Zoie Bishop, Graduate – yearbook copywriting category for article on community service projects 
Kendall Lowe, Graduate, & Staff – newspaper editorial writing for a quarantine-time editorial called Message from the Panther Post Staff 

Dylan Lopez conducts a fire chemical reaction in Shyanne Lee’s
chemistry lab using a flint spark lighter to light the fire for the pot.

This first place photo taken by Katie Baird appeared on page 116 of the 2020 MHS yearbook.

Varsity football team members lead
the team on the field before defeating Ellison, 24-21 on Sept. 19

This photo was taken by David Garcia and awarded by both the Press Women of Texas and International League Press.

Second Place:
David Garcia, Junior – yearbook photo category for a football action photo on the sports open spread
Adia West, Graduate – yearbook layout category for boys track spread 
Kylie Daniell, Junior – yearbook copywriting category for article on German Club 
Victoria Hasbun, Senior – newspaper graphics category for Election Edition front cover art, newspaper cartooning category for Dressed and Unimpressed artwork
Sabrina Zheng, Senior – newspaper single-page layout category for Homecoming Wrap-Up 
Brenna Eubanks, Junior – newspaper review writing category for I Am Harley Freakin’ Quinn

Third Place:
Katie Baird, Junior – yearbook layout category for science spread
Jillian Brennan, Junior – newspaper photo category for image of the homecoming queen’s reaction to winning
Alyssa Utrera, Sophomore – newspaper graphics category for October edition front cover artwork, newspaper single-page layout category for Short Classes, High Spirits 
Jose Diaz, Graduate – newspaper opinion writing category for The Politics of the Plaque 
Marlene Chaparro, Junior – newspaper sports writing category for Senior Serve, a volleyball profile

Honorable Mention:
Samuel Lamkin, Graduate – yearbook photo category for a pep rally photo 
Ellie Gulley, Graduate – yearbook layout category for JV/9th football spread 
Zoie Bishop, Graduate – yearbook layout category for Blue Crew/Panther Patrol spread 
Zach Davitashvili, Junior – newspaper single-page layout category for Freaky Flicks 
David Garcia, Junior – newspaper photo category for Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance photo 
Sarah Toups, Graduate – newspaper feature writing category for Seniors Worry About Cancellations 
Kennedy McAdams, Junior – newspaper sports writing category for Cheerleaders Help Elementary Students D.A.B. 
Zach Davitashvili, Junior – newspaper review writing category for Freaky Flicks 
Sabrina Zheng, Senior – newspaper review writing category for Branch Out: Try Asian Snack Foods
Alyssa Utrera, Sophomore – newspaper review writing category for Watch the Present 
Kacy Leavers, Senior – newspaper review writing category for Seek the Yes Theory 
Katie Fraley, Graduate – newspaper opinion writing category for Future of the GPA 

Zach Davitashvili was awarded second place in the International League Press cartoon category for his art depicting The Weeknd and an out-of-reach Grammy award.

Victoria Hasbun’s cover art for the Panther Post election edition was recognized by both the Press Women of Texas and Interscholastic League Press.

Congratulations also to the following Interscholastic League Press state competition winners!

Yearbook Categories:
David Garcia – third place, sports action photo category for a photo of the varsity football team running onto the field – third place, photo portfolio category for photos published in the 2020 yearbook – honorable mention, club/organization photo category for a photo of the mascot
Katie Baird – honorable mention, academic photo category for a photo of students doing a science flame lab
Blair Smith – third place, index design for the 2020 yearbook index chapter

Newspaper Categories:
Brenna Eubanks – third place, entertainment review writing category for a review of Birds of Prey
Victoria Hasbun – third place, cartoon category for Dressed and Unimpressed – honorable mention, student art category for election edition cover and Black History Month cover
Zach Davitashvili – second place, cartoon category for The Weeknd and an out-of-reach Grammy award – second place, entertainment page category for Freaky Flicks Halloween movie reviews
Jillian Brennan – third place, general news photo category for an image of the homecoming queen’s reaction
Dave Chavez – honorable mention, feature photo category for a photo of Panther Patrol running the flags at a football game
Sabrina Zheng – honorable mention, news writing category for The Racism Crisis.
Sarah Toups – honorable mention, feature writing category for Seniors Worry About Cancellations
Tatyana Chambers – honorable mention, student life photo category for a photo from the 2020 homecoming pep rally