By Josh Crisp
For Burns Times-Herald

Out of a pool of 1,350 competing journalists, editors and photographers, 720 certificates, with ratings ranging from “Honorable Mention” to “Best of Category” in 25 different categories, were awarded in May to high school journalists across the state of Oregon during the Northwest Scholastic Press’ annual Publication Olympics.

Twenty of these certificates were awarded to the staffers of Crane Union High School’s The Whirlwind, setting a record year for the high school newspaper.

“It is the most awards we have received in recent years,” journalism adviser Barbara Maher said.

Editor Josh Crisp received Honorable Mention in the Inside Page Layout category and Excellent in the following categories: Editorial (3), Page-one Layout (3), News Feature, Sports News, Sports Photo and Straight News.

Reporters Iris Gunkel and September O’Crowley each garnered Honorable Mention in the Inside Page Layout and Personality Profile categories. Reporter Delilas Korth also earned Honorable Mention in the Personality Profile category as well as Excellent in the Inside Page Layout category. Reporter Angelia Rossberg rounded out The Whirlwind’s awards with Honorable Mention in the Human Interest, Inside Page Layout and Sport News categories.

Thirty-eight professional journalists from across the West Coast served as judges during this competition, critiquing the entered articles to provide positive feedback and constructive criticism for high school journalists. However, the judges were allowed to use their own guidelines for awarding certificates, making the contest that much more competitive, as some categories received few awards and “Superior” and “Best of Category” ratings were rare.

“I am proud of our kids — they all received awards. Some schools didn’t even get any,” Maher said.