For months Johnston Middle School students, Rachel Millender, Sabrina Katz, Rachel Graubard, Rebecca Cook, and Alexandria Jones prepared for this competition. Rebecca participated in a news writing on-site write-off, where she attended a press conference, and was given an hour to write a story. Sabrina and Alexandria reported on Hurricane Ike, while Rachel M. and Rachel G. produced a short documentary on the Chinese recalled products in the U.S., titled: Made in China, Recalled in the U.S.
Long hours of editing and cropping were spent in the broadcast room. The girls spent many long hours after school in the in the broadcast editing suite to complete the project. “We were the first to arrive, and the last to leave. The hours were exhausting, but it felt really great when we finished!” proclaimed Alexandria Jones.
            The girls have been learning everything about broadcast since 6th grade at Johnston Middle School. In the last three years, they have not only mastered the technique of news writing, but also the basics of broadcast journalism. The advanced broadcast journalism students run the class like a newsroom. This experience prepared the students well. Mrs. Arlt, the broadcast journalism teacher, has been teaching them how to write, tape, and edit. “I knew they were going to be challenged, especially since this was a high school competition, but I was confident… we had what it takes to compete at such a level,” stated Mrs. Arlt.
            The 50 degree weather might have been little difficult for these young Texans to endure, but that did not dampen their spirit. These young greyhounds, made Johnston and their teacher proud. Rebecca received a superior rating (Gold Standard) while the other two groups received special mention for their outstanding work. Out of the 2191 entries, only 664 awards were given out and Johnston won three of them. The Greyhounds were the only winners from Texas in all these categories.
            The joy of winning was not only seen in eyes of those student’s, but also their teacher’s. “Knowing that we not only topped all middle schools in the district, but also all schools in Texas, is a feeling I can’t put into words”, exclaimed the elated teacher.

By: Rachel Millender and Rachel Graubard