Longview, TX — Sophomore Hannah Brown earned recognition as one of the top Feature Writers at the 2012 Journalism Education Association (JEA)/National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) National High School Journalism Convention held in San Antonio Nov. 15-18. She was one of 21 students from 10 states to receive a rating of Excellent or higher in the Feature Writing Competition.

Five Lobos were among the 1,734 students who participated in the JEA Write-offs. Also participating were senior Cookie Guck (Editing/Headline Writing), junior Caroline Araiza (Editorial Writing), junior Lauren Bally (News Writing) and sophomore Claire Earnest (Sports Writing). Students competed for a chance to receive a Superior, Excellent or Honorable Mention rating.

In addition, juniors Ashley Kempkes and Andy Rash, and sophomores Simone Macklin and Meaghan McNamara took part in the Texas Association of Journalism Educators Photo Scavenger Hunt competition.

More than 250 professional speakers held workshops throughout the four day convention, covering all aspects of journalism including writing, editing, design, advertising, photography, broadcasting and digital media. More than 4,500 people attended the convention, including 226 exhibitors. The keynote speakers were Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Rodolfo Gonzalez of the Austin American-Statesman and Fort Worth Star-Telegram sports writer Charean Williams.

The nine Longview High School students who attended the conference are current members of The Long-View newspaper staff and The Lobo yearbook staff. Kevin Berns is their advisor.

(Photo Information for SANANTONIOberns: Front Row left to right: Meaghan McNamara, Lauren Bally, Cookie Guck, Caroline Araiza, Simone Macklin Back Row left to right: Andy Rash, Hannah Brown, Claire Earnest, Ashley Kempkes)