The online publication received the Honor award at the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association’s annual Summer Institute.
The student media staff for West Johnston’s The Prowler and The Wildcats Post were recognized with All-North Carolina/Tar Heels and Honor awards respectively at the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association’s annual Summer Institute from June 20-22 at the UNC Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media.
The Tar Heel is the highest honor for student media. The Prowler yearbook staff for 2023-2024 was under the leadership of Connor Ruesch, Editor-in-Chief.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work that my team and I accomplished this year, and I am even more happy to know that in the end: our dedication and hard work towards making The Prowler the best it can be paid off. Winning a Tar Heel was a goal that I had set out to do two years ago when I first stepped into the editor’s role–and knowing that as I graduate, not only did we accomplish that goal, but that my staff and I brought back multiple high-placing awards is a pretty great feeling” said Ruesch.
The Prowler brought home 23 additional honors in the yearbook division which range from coverage and design to photography and social media.
WJ’s online news, The Wildcats Post launched in May with Selena Heath as Editor-in-Chief. “I’m really proud to have been a part of launching my high school’s publication. Launching the publication felt like a really big step to ensure a future of students at West making their voices heard. It was incredible getting to work with other student journalists to bring stories and develop our skills,” said Heath.
The staff received individual awards in sports photography, editorials, features and the overall Honor award. Shirley Kelly advised The Prowler and The Wildcats Post this past year.
“Getting an Honor award from NCSMA feels a bit ureal. I started getting into journalism just to try something new, branch out with my writing skills, and it turned into a new way of communication for me. To see that this new passion is already yielding honor awards of this level is nothing less than encouraging,” said Heath.
