Lexington High School students excel at NSAA State Journalism Competition

Demonstrating their prowess in various categories, students showcased their skills and commitment to excellence by bringing home several top honors.

The Minuteman yearbook staff triumphed as state champions in the Yearbook Theme Development category.

Brooklyn Lul clinched the state champion title in the Yearbook Feature Writing category and secured third place in Yearbook Theme Copywriting.

Joining Lul in the limelight, Maddy Armstrong claimed the title of state champion in the Yearbook Layout category. Bakita Daud won fourth place in the same category.

In the realm of visual storytelling, Daisy Gomez earned the title of state champion in the News/Feature Photography category. Additionally, Gomez and Ashley Fago secured eighth place for Broadcast PSA.

Wendy Renteria finished in eighth place finish in News/Feature Photography.

Lexington’s journalism prowess was recognized at last week’s 2024 Spring Academic Pep Rally at LHS.

Journalism adviser Erica Brockmoller underscored the significance of journalistic endeavors and celebrated the achievements of the dedicated students at the pep rally. The resounding standing ovation from the audience affirmed the community’s pride in the students’ accomplishments.

In an interview with the Clipper-Herald the following day, Brockmoller attributed Lexington’s success to a combination of factors.

“My students work hard on the yearbook starting in July, with a core group of them that attend journalism camp,” Brockmoller said. “During camp, these students learn from people at a national level and understand the ins and outs for a yearbook.”

Emphasizing the students’ dedication and the school administration’s support for fostering journalistic excellence, Brockmoller highlighted the pivotal role of mentorship and access to workshops in nurturing students’ journalistic success.

Reflecting on the broader impact of journalism on academic and personal development, Brockmoller said, “Not every student that leaves here is going to be a journalist, but there are skills within journalism that will help them be successful. Whether they’re talking with people or learning a new program, that will help them in the future.”

Addressing her peers in the field, Brockmoller urged fellow journalism advisers to cultivate a supportive network and remain steadfast in their pursuit of excellence.

Brockmoller mentioned the Nebraska High School Press Association, NSAA, the Nebraska Broadcasters Associations, Journalism Educators Association and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association as resources.

Brockmoller also emphasized the importance of nurturing students’ creativity and authenticity, urging advisers to empower their students to tell compelling stories that resonate with their audience.

“Winning an award is great, but it can be a bit frustrating,” she said, “because students are judged by one or two people that might not see what you see as an adviser.”

Brockmoller tells those advisers to make sure their students are creating things that they are proud of, that tell authentic stories and capture the essence of their school.

During her final remarks, Brockmoller said, “I would like to say thank you to the students, the current ones and the ones that have come from this program, because they really have set the foundation of success for those who will come after them.”

Echoing Brockmoller’s sentiments, several students reflected on their individual journeys and expressed gratitude for the transformative impact of journalism on their high school experience.

Bakita Daud, buoyed by her fourth-place finish in the Yearbook Layout, credited Brockmoller’s guidance for her newfound passion and confidence in journalism.

Daud said this was her first year helping with the yearbook at LHS. She credited Brockmoller for giving step-by-step directions on the work the yearbook required.

Daud said being a part of Brockmoller’s class has made her high school experience easier, and she always looks forward to attending journalism class.

Similarly, Daisy Gomez, state champion in News/Feature Photography, articulated her aspirations for the future, highlighting the profound influence of journalism on her personal and academic growth.

Gomez said she felt really happy about the accomplishment. Because her hobby is photography, Gomez said it was always a personal goal to place well in at least one category at state journalism.

“Finishing my senior year with a state championship was a good feeling to have,” Gomez said.

Gomez said this was her only year doing work for broadcasting. She was happy to share a medal with Fago and credited her for her hard work.

Gomez said the process to compete in state journalism just requires working hard on the yearbook and taking notice of what writing is the best.

“What’s good about our yearbook is we show how diverse our school and community is. Showing our diversity is what can draw the judge’s attention by showing them different angles and perspectives,” Gomez said.

Gomez said she plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She is considering studying elementary education with a possible minor in journalism.

As her senior year wraps up, Gomez reflected on her gratitude at LHS.

“Being part of this journalism organization at Lexington brought out a passion for me and helped me get out of my comfort zone and trying new things,” Gomez said

Gomez took the time to thank some people who helped her in her high school career.

“I would like to give a big shout to Greg Adams,” she said. “He’s the rep for the LHS yearbook, and he’s done so much by helping us with the yearbook and saying so many good things.

“I also want to give a shoutout to Mrs. Brockmoller, she takes time from her kids to help LHS capture moments for her class. She’s done so much and she’s a mother figure for a lot of students.”

As Brooklyn Lul prepares to embark on the next chapter of her journey, she reflected on the invaluable lessons learned under Brockmoller’s tutelage, and admitted her shock at clinching first place in the Yearbook Feature Writing category and securing third place in Yearbook Theme Copywriting.

“I was shocked because I thought I was going to be placed lower since this was my first time going to state journalism,” Lul said.

Despite finding it hard to write under a time limit, Lul said, the experience made her open her eyes and made her believe she could do more in journalism than she thought.

When giving advice to future students on how to prepare for state journalism, Lul said, “If you want to prepare for state journalism in copywriting, you have to know how to write an opening and closing. You also have to know how to have good time and organization skills.”

Lul said that after she graduates from high school in a few days, she plans to keep journalism as a side hobby.

Lul gave credit to Mrs. Brockmoller, saying, “She does more than what other journalism advisers would do, and she makes sure all her students are on top of what they’re doing. Brockmoller is the reason why yearbook gets so much attention despite only being a class and not an actual school club.”