SWHS newspaper staff wins media competition

Writing articles ranging from teenagers and politics to Nokuse Plantation's conservation program earned South Walton's Scuttlebutt first place in General Excellence in Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization's 19th annual Student Public Relations and Media Competition held at the Bob Hope Village Community Center. 
Sponsor Sandy Graff said that she knew she had a great reporting staff and hoped that her students' articles would be able to compete against those of the
larger high schools.
"My students earned this award," commented Graff. "Writing and re-writing, arranging layouts and re-arranging, taking pictures, meeting deadlines...unless someone has worked in journalism, he or she has no idea just how challenging producing a school newspaper can be."
South Walton's principal, Mark Ewing, ardent supporter of The Scuttlebutt, said, "This newspaper impacts not only our school but the community as well. The newspaper staff interacts with the public and has done a superior public relations job for South Walton. These kids are great, and Mrs. Graff has a knack for getting the best out of these students."
Editor Chris Akridge received first place for his editorial on global warming; Kelsey Ragsdale won first place for Best Coverage of Local/State Topics with her article on M.C. Davis's Nokuse Plantation and tied for second place in the Features category with the same article; Kathleen Doyle won first place for her feature article on students voting; Heather Moses's article on the "Night of Artistic
Expression" won first place for Best Coverage of School News; and Hillary Vest won second place in Graphics for her abstract drawing.
"After I edited my article for the fourth time, it was a relief to finally have it done. Now that I've won 1st place for this, I feel that all the time I put into it was well worth the effort, "stated Moses.
Vest's graphic, incorporating a South Walton theme, involved a tear-drop design symbolizing joy found in her high school experiences as a freshman. "I was honored and almost shocked knowing our competition. But I knew that with this year's successful staff, we definitely had a chance in all areas of the competition."
"I know that I made a lot of people angry," stated Akridge. "Being editor is a rough job; demanding articles and photos get turned in on time can be stressful."
Graff's Media class is offered to all students, grades 9 -12. Anyone interested in journalism as a future should definitely register for the class. Writing skills, an interest in photography, and a commitment to excellence are the qualifications Graff looks for in prospective students. "Being able to accept constructive criticism is also mandatory," added Graff.