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TA Yearbook is a State and National Champion

Congratulations to the staff of the 2008 Crag!  For the fourth year in a row, Turner Ashby High School's yearbook, the "Crag," has won a State Championship. The Crag earned a Trophy Class rating at the VHSL Championship Workshop at the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on Saturday, October 18. Only the best books from around the state earn this distinction, and a Trophy Class rating is best a book can receive. 

In addition to receiving Trophy Class, the staff was also awarded First Place in Concept Packaging in all of Group AA.  The book also won Second Place in the VAJTA Best of Show (a competition that includes ALL of Virginia's schools--A, AA, and AAA).  The VAJTA (Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisers) also awarded the Crag's adviser, Leslie Stevens, the Washington and Lee Adviser Award.  This is an award that recognizes advisers who, though having worked in the field for less than five years, have made significant progress and had a positive effect on their school's program.

The book was awarded a Gold Medal from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association's Annual Critique.  This award is a national award and it is the highest award a yearbook can receive in this critique.  TA's book scored 950 points out of 1000.  The book also earned All-Columbian Honors in three categories out of five (concept, coverage, and writing).  In order to receive this honor, the book has to receive marks in the 95th percentile in the category.

And more recently, the Crag earned more high praise — an All-American rating from the National Scholastic Press Association. According to Ms. Stevens, "This is the highest critique award given by this association.  In addition, the book was awarded 5 "Marks of Distinction" for all 5 categories.  In order to do this, the judge has to believe that staff did exemplary work in the area."

Praised Leslie Stevens, Turner Ashby Yearbook & Newspaper Adviser: I am so fortunate to work with such outstanding students who enjoy devoting their time, effort, and energy into my class. They really tackle the task of creating a yearbook with gusto, and their enthusiasm for the book spreads throughout the school. Their passion for their work deserves to be rewarded, and I am thankful that we are able to enter our finished product into competitions so my students can see all of their efforts recognized and acknowledged.

 

In addition to these honors, several students won individual and group state championships:

Clubs/Organizations Spread
First Place -- Kate Shickel and Amber Smith [view]

People Spread
First Place -- Joshua Logsdon [view]

Advertising
First AND Third Place -- Hannah Glick [view]

Student Life Spread
Second Place -- Virginia Moore [view]

Academics Spread
Second Place -- Kynndal Hartt [view]
Third Place -- Kristina Varela [view]

TA Yearbook Wins a Yearbook State Championship For the Fourth Year in a Row
By: Lauren Sherfey (TAHS 2010)

As the list was read through alphabetically, all eighteen students held their breath as the announcer went through the list of “S” schools.  They finally heard what they had been waiting to hear: Turner Ashby High School Crag...Trophy Class. For the fourth year in a row, the Yearbook Staff had won a Virginia High School League State Championship.

After hearing their yearbook’s name announced,  the staff members jumped out of their seats with sheer joy and excitement. “I was so incredibly excited to have the chance to represent our school in accepting the trophy award.  It was like for that one moment, everyone knew who we were and recognized all the hard work we’d put into our book,”  senior Andrea Russell said.

In addition to the State Championship, the staff also received  Second Place in the VAJTA Best of Show and seven students won individual and group championships. “When I heard I won individually, I was so exited!  How many people could say they’ve taken an individual award in the state?  Not many.  Basically, it was the icing on the cake to my best birthday weekend ever,”  senior Kynndal Hartt said.

Even though some students on the staff weren’t able to attend the awards ceremony, their excitement continued when they found out about it at school that Monday.

“I wasn’t able to attend the award ceremony because of a volleyball tournament, but on the Monday morning after, I heard on the announcements that we received trophy class for our book.  It was an excitement overload!  Knowing that our hard work paid off rewarded all of us,”  senior Kate Shickel said.

The talented, hard-working staff was very appreciative and thankful to earn such an honorable award, but perhaps most impressed was their adviser.  “The achievement of winning was inspiring for the students, and they came back eager to work on this year’s book.  It was like a shot in the arm for them, and they have new energy for this year’s book,”  advisor Leslie Stevens said.  Mrs. Stevens was also recognized.  She was awarded the VAJTA Washington and Lee Adviser Award.

Students who worked on the award winning book were: Lindsey Taylor, Rachel Pennington, Morgan Privott, Michele Klamut, Kellie Wine, Virginia Moore, Kynndal Hartt, Hannah Glick, Andrea Russell, Kaitie Hancock, Grace Baugher, Holly Fitzwater, Sarah Fulk, Anna Joseph, Kelly Kendall, Brittany Knight, Heather Lough, Lauren Miller, Beth Rhodes, Hannah Shickel, Kate Shickel, Amber Smith, Kristina Varela, and Miranda Wenger.