Student journalists from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School won a number of major journalism awards from the New England Scholastic Press Association (NESPA), reflecting both individual student achievements and the outstanding quality of work published by the students during the school year, according to a press release from Dan Sharkovitz, chairman of the high school English department.
“It was an honor to attend the New England Scholastic Press Association annual conference Friday and see young journalists from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School recognized for their hard work and reporting excellence. The residents of Martha’s Vineyard can take pride in these fine young men and women,” Nelson Sigelman, former editor of The Times, said. “Their accomplishments are a testament to the support of our Island community and the love and dedication of their longtime adviser, English department chairman Dan Sharkovitz.”
The awards were presented at the organization’s 69th annual conference, held recently at Boston University. The school’s student newspaper, The High School View, won the Highest Achievement Award in its class. The newspaper also earned second-place honors in the prestigious All–New England category. The awards honor the outstanding efforts of the newspaper’s editors in chief — seniors Danielle Hopkins, Sophia McCarron, and Willa Vigneault.
In addition, four students received individual Special Achievement Awards for excellence in scholastic editing and publishing. Sophomore Mackenzie Condon won for her news story, “Poetry Takes Center Stage”; senior Annika Schmidt won for her news story, “Addiction Expert States the Facts”; senior Danielle Hopkins won for her news story, “Turf Debate Divides Community”; and senior Ali Barlett won for her news photograph, “‘Guys and Dolls’ Fills the House.”
The High School View is prepared by students at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and published during the school year as a page in The Martha’s Vineyard Times, with the support of many Island businesses and individuals. English teacher Kate Hennigan and department chair Dan Sharkovitz serve as the newspaper’s faculty advisers.