Purple Clarion staff writers participated in journalism Sectionals  Saturday, April 6.

Senior Avery Woolard participated in Photography, and senior Frankie Messerschmidt participated in editorial cartooning and news writing. The Sectional competition is virtual, so students will be competing from their regular News Media Production classroom.

 Ayden Price (2023) competed in Sectionals last year.

“Last year was my first year attending Sectionals and for me it was very nerve-racking,”  Price said.

Price added that his favorite event in Sectionals was headlining because he was given all of the information and  just had to write a headline. He found it both easy and challenging at the same time.

“There’s something really exhilarating about having to create something in such a short timespan and then being able to win awards for your hard work,” Messerschmidt said. “I’m really excited for the sectionals and I think it will go really well.

Only two of the staff of ten participated as many had spring break related conflicts.

“Even though we have a small class we have a good team of journalists,” Woolard said, “so I think (we have) a great chance of winning.”

Senior Riley Mize competed in the photo event last year but had to drop out this year due to family travel. 

“I normally set up the camera and take pictures of everyone in the classroom who is working on another part of the contest. During the second half, I will edit the photos that I took. Senior Riley Mize said.

Mize added that when she is done editing the photos that she took, they go into a Google Drive folder and are sent off to be judged. If a student  places in the top three, they will be advanced to State competition April 26. 

“We get emailed prompts and such and then we work under our designated time to put together whatever event we’re doing,” Messerschmidt said. Messerschmidt added that after the class  completes the event they  have to wait until April 12 to find out if anyone is going to attend the State competition or not.

Messerschmidt is competing for her third and final year and hopes to have a good Sectional showing. 

“I’m having a lot of fun with it, and I hope I place well so I can go out with a bang,” Messerschmidt said.