Seniors Ryan Ho and Garrett Kaighn, adviser Patricia Fels and sophomore Manson Tung await as the announcer calls out the top 10 newspapers entered in the Best of Show contest, April 12. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
The Octagon staff watches the screen as the top 10 Best of Show contestants are being announced, April 12. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
The Octagon staff spring to its feet when it receives third place in Best of Show contest, April 12. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
Editors-in-Chief Connor Martin, Kamira Patel and Garrett Kaighn hold up the third place Best of Show award, April 12. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
The Write-Off awards ceremony takes place on April 13. Students competed in onsite competitions in various categories such as newswriting and review writing. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
Senior Ryan Ho awaits nervously as senior Garrett Kaighn watches on the screen. Ho entered the editorial writing contest but did not win an award. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
Juniors Aishwarya Nadgauda and Micaela Bennett-Smith looks on the screen as the presenter announces the winners of the feature writing contest, April 13. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
Seniors Connor Martin, Kamira Patel and Ryan Ho hold hands as the presents announces the winners of the review writing contest, April 13. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
Senior Garrett Kaighn watches the screen as the presenter announces the winners of the newswriting contest, April 13. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
Senior Kamira Patel smiles nervously when the presenter begins to announce winners of the literary magazine illustration contest, April 13. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
Senior Connor Martin receives a certificate for his "superior" rating in review writing, April 13. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
Junior Grant Miner receives a metal for his "superior" rating in commentary writing, April 13. Only those with a "superior" get a metal in addition to a certificate. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
Junior Micaela Bennett-Smith receives her certificate for her "superior" rating in the Yearbook copy/caption: Sports category, April 13. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
The Octagon staff takes a group photo after the Write-Off award ceremony. Seven students received awards. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
Students who received awards in their Write-Off contests pose for a photo with adviser Patricia Fels. (Photo by CIssy Shi)
Seniors Eric Hilton, Ryan Ho, Kamira Patel, Connor Martin and Garrett Kaighn, adviser Patricia Fels and senior Cissy Shi poses for a photo. (Photo by Grant Miner)
The scoring judge keeps track of points during the Quiz Bowl competition. Country Day entered two teams which both reached the semifinals before being eliminated. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
Freshman Zane Jakobs, senior Eric Hilton, junior Maxwell Shukuya and sophomore Amelia Fineberg entered as one of two Country Day Quiz Bowl teams. The group was quizzed on subjects such as Associated Press styles and trivia. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
Freshman Zane Jakobs, sophomore Manson Tung, senior Ryan Ho and freshman Daniel Hernied head to lunch in between classes at the convention. (Photo by Cissy Shi)
The Octagon received third place in the Best of Show contest for its most recent issue at the spring JEA/NSPA journalism convention in San Diego, April 10-13.
Adviser Patricia Fels said she was excited about the award.
“It’s the best we’ve ever done in Best of Show since we’ve entered a 12-page issue,” she said.
Seven staffers also won individual Write-Off contests.
Senior Connor Martin received his third “Superior” (highest honor) rating, maintaining his perfect record in review writing contests.
“I always second-guess what I wrote while I’m waiting for the results,” Martin said. “This time I had an especially severe second-guessing, though I think realizing flaws in my writing is a good sign.
“Nevertheless, I am ecstatic that I have a perfect three.”
Five staffers received Superiors, and two received Excellents (the second highest honor).
At the convention, students attended sessions on subjects such as videography, news gathering techniques and journalistic law and ethics. With over 100 schools in the nation attending, students also exchanged publications and ideas.
When not attending sessions, students had the option to attend a dance as well as explore the Gaslamp Quarter, a historical section of San Diego filled with dining, entertainment and urban shopping.
The next fall journalism convention will be held in Washington D.C.; the spring convention will be in Denver, Colo.
