Saturday, student journalists from Manhattan High Publications Staffs competed in this year’s Kansas Scholastic Press Association Contest, two participating in carry-in a yearbook competition, and four attending the contest at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

Sophomore Angie Moss, a participant in a yearbook design competition, feels that though no MHS competitors placed at State, the KSPA Contest is a chance to show the publication staff members’ constantly-growing journalistic skills.

“I think the best thing about going to State Contest is just getting to compete in something that you’re good at. When you’re in sports if you’re good at it, you get to compete and you get to win. In debate, you get to compete and in theatre, you get to perform, so it’s an opportunity for us to show our skill,” Moss said.

Sophomore Elizabeth Underwood and freshman Savannah Cherms, who competed in a yearbook copy contest in which there was a mixup and contestants were not provided sufficient information to write a mock yearbook story, explained that, though it was difficult to not have placed due to a disadvantage, participating in a statewide journalism contest can benefit them in positive ways.

“I think I benefitted from going because it gave me experience on writing in contests and how to deal with stressful situations and problem solving when things get messed up,” Underwood said.

“It’s beneficial to go to Contest because I don’t feel like I know what I’m doing half the time, so going to competitions makes me feel like, ‘Oh, I’m around all these people who are good at journalism,’ so I feel like I must be good at this, too,” Cherms said,

Cherms explained that learning how to compete in contest situations can be stressful, but is ultimately rewarding.

“Trying to stay out of my head about everything and not psyching myself out is the most challenging part of competing at State,” Cherms said. “I think you have to go into it telling yourself that you’re there for a reason and that you’re going to do well, and that even if you don’t place, you’re there for a reason.”