4 students named to state journalism staff
By Melinda L. Lucas
The University Interscholastic League announced earlier this month that four students from Albany High School have been named to the 2018-2019 All-State Journalism Staff.
Current seniors Addison Asher and Alayna Koemel, along with juniors Tana Thompson and Hannah Trail, were recipients of the honor, four of about 100 student journalists from all classifications across the state.
To become a member of the All-State Journalism Staff, students must accumulate at least 50 points over the school year by participating and placing in UIL journalism events, along with the Individual Achievement Awards given during the ILPC annual convention in May.
The AHS students were nominated by the high school journalism sponsor, Donnie Lucas.
“We had four students nominated and selected for the All-State Journalism staff, with at least one other who was very close to the required point total,” said Lucas.
Asher earned 251 points during the year, while Koemel had 93, Thompson 90, and Trail 62.
“I couldn’t find in my records any student ever earning as many points as Addison did this year. She was co-editor-in-chief of the Lions Roar, doing much of the graphic design for the paper and winning a number of IAAs,” said Lucas. “She also advanced to state in three events and medalled in two.”
The other three competed at various district and regional UIL journalism events, as well as receiving ILPC awards, and Trail won a Tops in Texas Award at ILPC last spring.
Texas is one of the first states to distinguish student journalists with all-state recognition.
Asher is the 2019-2020 editor-in-chief of the -Lions Roar, fulfilling other newspaper roles as well, while Thompson is assistant editor and Trail is features editor and cartoonist. Both help with page layout.
UIL was established in 1913 and has become one of the largest organizations of its kind. The league works to provide contests to build citizenship, character and good sportsmanship for all participants.
