On Friday, Feb. 24, students from the BHS Journalism department competed in the Kansas Scholastic Press Association regional contest. Students sent in digital submissions beforehand to be judged, as well as participating in on-site contests held at the University of Kansas.

KSPA offers various contests revolving around photography, news writing and editing, advertising, design, and editorial cartooning. Students in the Intro to Journalism, Newspaper, and Yearbook classes participated in almost every category, and earned fifteen total awards ranging from honorable mention to second place.

BHS students from all grades entered, including both first-time and returning participants.

“I feel like this year I felt more committed to it because I’ve grown as a photographer and I have learned more,” junior Ellie Thurlow said.

This is Thurlow’s second year attending KSPA Regionals, and she will be entering the state contest in the Student Life Photography category with a positive outlook for Baldwin’s KSPA State performance.

“We’re going to do great,” Thurlow said, “There’s a lot of really good students competing and I have high hopes that we will do well.”

While there are multiple returning journalism students, sophomore Riley Fletcher had never taken part in the contest before this year.

“This was my first time participating in KSPA,” Fletcher said, “I had a great experience overall.”

Fletcher has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of BHS Journalism and is glad to have gotten the opportunity to report about school happenings, as well as take part in KSPA.

“I like being able to write about what’s going on in our area,” Fletcher said, “I am super excited for State KSPA. . . I’m up for a bit of challenge at state.”

Students who placed at regionals will be returning to the University of Kansas campus for the KSPA State contest on Saturday, May 6.