Iowa High School Press Association awarded the West Side Story staff an All-Iowa News Team finalist for 2016-2017. Points for the finalists are awarded to schools for placing in individual categories of IHSPA’s spring journalism contest, and the points are tallied to identify finalists. The 15 high schools with the top amount of points are finalists, and judges will determine and announce the top five All-Iowa News Team winners in the fall. The large-school finalists are as follows:

The West Side Story staff received 1st place in the state for the following:

• Column: “A Modest Disposal” by Prateek Raikwar ’18.
• Illustration or Art: “Waste” by Simran Sarin ’17.
• In-depth news: “Officials On The Way Out” by Deniz Ince ’19 and Gabby Skopec ’17.
• Infographic: “Fall Sports Update” by Leah Dusterhoft ’17.
• Multimedia news story: “Forever with “Flash” by Isabelle Robles ’17 and Fenna Semken ’18.
• Multimedia sports story: “Ready for the next step: an interactive timeline” by Isabelle Robles ’17.
• Personality profile: “She Was Strong and Her Braveness Was No Mystery” by Nina Elkadi ’18.
• Photo story: “40 students leave class for sit-in protest” by Alyson Kuennen ’18.
• Podcasting: “WSSPodcast Episode 1: Anne Schularick” by Prateek Raikwar ’18.
• Sports photo: “High Jump” by Sarah Longmire
• Sports story:  “Officials On The Way Out” by Deniz Ince ’19 and Gabby Skopec ’17.
• Social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Twitter (sports) and wsspaper on Snapchat

The West Side Story staff received 2nd place in the state for the following:

• Column: “Grab ‘Em By The Safety Pin” by Wingel Xue
• Infographic: “Chacos vs. Birks” by Leah Dusterhoft
• Multimedia feature story: “Living life with Rett Syndrome” by Samalya Thenuwara
• Multimedia sports story: “West cruises past Burlington” by Sarah Longmire and Isabelle Robles
• Personality profile: “30 Minutes of Innocence and a Lifetime of Guilt” by Prateek Raikwar
• Photo story: “Ride Along with an Officer” by Alyson Kuennen
• Sports photo: “Rachael fights for the ball” by Sarah Longmire

The West Side Story staff received 3rd place in the state for the following:

• Feature photo: “Ride Along” by Alyson Kuennen
• Feature story: “A Look Back” by Nina Elkadi
• Multimedia feature story: “The story of a miracle” by Fenna Semken
• Multimedia sports story: “‘You’re on your own on this one:’ the story of a female wrestler” by Jessica Doyle ’19 and Deniz Ince ’19.
• Newsmagazine multiple page design: “Oyakodon” by Catherine Ju ’18.
• Newsmagazine one page design: “She Was Strong and Her Braveness Was No Mystery” by Catherine Ju ’18.
• News photo: “Personalities of the Women’s March” by Allie Schmitt-Morriss ’19.
• Photo story: “Open House at the Children’s Hospital” by Sarah Longmire ’17.
• Sports story: “Success & Siblings” by Ellie Gretter ’18 and Deniz Ince ’19.
• Staff editorial: “The Melting Melting Pot” by Simran Sarin ’17.

The West Side Story staff received Honorable Mention for the following:

• Editorial cartoon or comic strip: “How To Be A WSS Staffer” by Braedyn Dochterman ’17.
• Feature story: “Waste” by Will Conrad ’19 and Junhee Lee ’18.
• Illustration or art: “Best of IC” by Angie Zirbes ’18.
• Multimedia feature story: “Defining the female Olympian” by Leah Dusterhoft ’17 and Michael Moonjely ’17.
• Multimedia news story: “Students lead anti-hate protest, work to end discrimination” by Cameron Cook ’17, Isabelle Robles ’17, Fenna Semken ’18, Caroline Young ’19 and Angie Zirbes ’18.
• Multimedia sports story: “Students sign National Letters of Intent” by Gabby Skopec ’17.
• Newsmagazine multiple page design: “Waste” by Simran Sarin ’17.
• Newsmagazine one page design: “Living La Vida Cocoa” by Crystal Kim ’19.
• News photo: “West Students at Rally” by Caroline Young ’19.
• Personality profile: “On-the-spot success: Julie Watkins ’17” by Mary Vander Weg ’19.
• Sports photo: “West basketball state tournament” by Sarah Longmire ’17.

For more information on awards, visit IHSPA.org.