Student from McKinney’s Johnson Middle School selected to All-State Journalism Staff

by PegNews wire

AUSTIN – Rachel Plumley, a student at Scott Johnson Middle School in the McKinney Independent School District, was recently named to the 2006-2007 University Interscholastic League’s (UIL) All-State Journalism Staff.

“This is the first time in the history of Journalism All-State that a middle school student has won a spot on the All-State Staff,” said Jeanne Acton, ILPC Director. “It is quite an accomplishment for a high school student to be selected, but for a middle school student, it’s just tremendous!”

The UIL created the journalism staff in an effort to recognize journalism students who have gone above and beyond what was expected of them to improve their writing and reporting abilities and their school.

To become a member of the All-State Journalism Staff, students must accumulate points over the year based on their achievements at UIL journalism competitions and other writing and publication-type contests, statewide and nationwide. The students must then apply to UIL to become a member of the staff. Texas is one of the first states to recognize student journalists.

“There are many more opportunities for high school students to earn points than middle school students,” Acton said. “Rachel obviously did an outstanding job last year.”

Any student who is involved in scholastic journalism in Texas is eligible for the staff.

“Journalism students dedicate many extra hours to their school by spending nights and weekends preparing the school publications for distribution as well as preparing for writing competitions,” Acton said. “Through scholastic journalism, students learn not only writing skills, but analytical skills as well as people skills.”

“I don’t know of any other state that recognizes journalism students in this way,” Acton said.

The University Interscholastic League was created in 1913 and has grown into the largest interschool organization of its kind in the world. The League works to organize and properly supervise contests that assist in preparing students for citizenship. It aims to provide healthy, character building and educational activities carried out under rules providing good sportsmanship and fair play for all participants.

For more information on UIL or its academic activities, contact Jeanne Acton at (512) 471-5883.

Source: MISD