Journalism students attended the Texas Association of Journalism Educators’ Fall Fiesta Oct. 22 to Oct. 24 in San Antonio, a statewide conference that included workshops and on-site competition in yearbook, photography and newspaper events.

 Individual award winners included senior sports editor Shaun Lal with a Superior rating in sports writing and junior features editor Michelle Chong, who won an Honorable Mention rating in yearbook copy.

“I felt like I accomplished something I can be proud of,” Lal said. “I was really nervous because there were a lot of people that looked a lot smarter than me. I appreciate everyone on staff helping me grow.”

The first issue of County Line newspaper also won third place Best of Show in the newspaper category.

“I was really proud that we won distinction for the entire paper as a whole,” senior co-editor Anita Farsad said. “It really validates all the hard work that we put into that first issue.”

Both yearbook and newspaper staffs attended sessions led by teachers and professors from across the nation.

“[The sessions] were really interesting,” senior photo editor Stark Harle said. “I learned about environmental portraits, which is something I have heard about but never really understood. Hopefully I will get to learn from professional photographers in the future too.”