On Friday, Feb. 27, 12 De Soto High School journalism students traveled to the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan. to compete in the Kansas Scholastic Publications Association Regional contest.

The group of newspaper and yearbook staff members left during first block and returned during Seminar. Throughout the day, they participated in numerous competitions, ranging from writing to editing to drawing. Students also could submit digital submissions for contests that took time outside of that day such as photography and infographic creation.

Each competition lasted 90 minutes. In writing competitions, students received quotes, background information and all necessary details  and had to compose a story over them. In editing events, students receive a flawed story and must make the proper corrections with the proper indications. Drawing events work by making students draw a cartoon in correspondence to an editorial story.

Results of the competition were posted on Tuesday. Seven Wildcats  in a total of 11 events placed and qualified for the State competition. The group is as follows:

First Place: Senior Jordan Wolf (Sports Writing), Senior Kelsea Burns (Copy Editing and Infographics*), Senior Emily Herrington (Editorial Cartoon)

Second Place: Sophomore Aneka Zarger (Editorial Cartoon)

Third Place: Junior Rex Templin (Photo Illustration*), Sophomore Sydney Hoover (Student Life Photography*)

Honorable Mention: Senior Ryanne Mercer (News Writing), Hoover (Feature Writing), Burns (Editorial Writing), Herrington (Infographics*)

*- denotes digital submission.

Having seven students place at Regionals is quite the accomplishment, according to DHS journalism adviser Michael Sullivan.

“I think it’s great that we had so many kids not only participate but having quite a few qualify for the State meet. We did it in a wide variety of events which I think shows the diversity of our staff and its different strengths,” Sullivan said.

Three of the four seniors that qualified all qualified last year as well. They are excited to return to State.

“It’s a great experience and a great opportunity to exercise the skills I learn from being the co-editor in chief of the Green Pride,” Burns said.

The other three that placed are all in their first year of competing at Regionals. They view such an accomplishment as not only an honor but a surprise.

“It was really cool because I didn’t expect to make it since its only my first year on staff, and I didn’t take the beginning journalism class,” Hoover said.

The group will have significant time to create their new digital submissions and prepare for the State tournament, as it isn’t held until Saturday, May 2. The event will take place at the University of Kansas once again, and DHS looks to build off the success they found at Regionals.