Journalism students thrive in banner year
Students in the Castro Valley High School journalism program won a total of 36 awards for their writing, photography and video productions in the 2018-19 school year. The journalism class of 31 students publishes The Olympian newspaper, web site, and social media pages.
The year’s biggest honor went to Mara Moysen, who won a national Quill and Scroll Sweepstakes Award for her news video, “‘Embrace the immigrants,’ state lawmakers say.” Moysen also won two video awards from California Press Women (CPW) and served for three years as Olympian video editor.
“It’s been so great working for The Olympian for three years. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities journalism gave me and it really turned me into the person I am today,” said Moysen, who’s headed to the University of Oregon.
Olympian editor-in-chief Ria Panjwani won first place in the California News Publishers Association (CNPA) contest for profile writing. Panjwani’s story titled “Lunt kicks through gender barriers” featured Leikela Lunt, the first girl to score points for the CVHS varsity football team.
“Journalism has allowed me the opportunity to foster important discussions in my community and converse with passionate people, working to make a change in their community. I am so grateful for the years I’ve had,” said Panjwani, bound for Brown University.
Panjwani and fellow editor-in-chief Nathanial Ortiz shared honors as editors of the year.
Photo editor Hayate Moro won a Journalism Education Association award for his video opinion about unplugging from technology as well as The Olympian MVP award.
“This is where I was able to get involved in pretty much everything and what helped me get this far in high school academics and social life. I have never had a class that made me so proud of myself, so I am super glad I had the courage to join!” said Moro, who will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Moysen, Panjwani, Ortiz, Moro and business manager Audrey Manzano, all seniors, joined The Olympian Hall of Fame.
The Olympian also won a CNPA general excellence award.
A complete list of award winners follows:
Milagros Aquino: CPW, sports photo; JEA, sports photo
Brittany Bin: CNPA, writing
Natalie Costello: CNPA, feature photo
Andrew Craig: Olympian Reporter of the Year
Talaya Francois: CNPA, feature photo; CNPA, writing; CPW, review writing; CPW, opinion story
Tiffany Ho: CPW, editorial cartoon; Olympian Rookie of the Year
Bilal Messaoudi: CPW, editorial
Hayate Moro: JEA, video opinion; Olympian MVP; Olympian Hall of Fame
Mara Moysen: Quill and Scroll, news video; CPW, feature video; CPW, news video; Olympian Hall of Fame
Derek Neyer: JEA, news writing
Ria Panjwani: CNPA, profile story; Olympian Editor of the Year; Olympian Hall of Fame
Jenny Pham: CNPA, profile story; CPW, news video
Nathanial Ortiz: Olympian Editor of the Year; Olympian Hall of Fame
Katrina Siler: JEA, video opinion
Evan Sim: JEA, infographic design
Rachel Stein: CPW, opinion writing
Nikita Thomas: CPW, opinion story
Jeanette Wallis: Olympian Rookie of the Year
Andrew Watanabe: CNPA, sports photo
Katelyn Wong, English Department Award