Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Red 'n' Green Entry Title: Special Education class constructs golf course Entry Credit: Hailey Rodriguez Judge Comment: There is nothing better than a story that makes you want to read it. Strong nose for news here, and how to tell it.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Red 'n' Green Entry Title: NHS selections, a long, precise process Entry Credit: Taylor Van Ornum Judge Comment: Generally well-reported story, but it never really answered the 'why this story, why now?' question.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Red 'n' Green Entry Title: Berlin High School students involved in community Christmas traditions Entry Credit: Makayla Trochinski Judge Comment: Fun community story. But remember: Pretty packaging is no substitute for depth. If the goal was to demonstrate who the school's FFA group is and how it serves the community, it would be good to talk about what FFA stands for (literally and philosophically).
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: The Red 'n' Green Entry Title: Spanish class numbers declining Entry Credit: Emelia Beulen Judge Comment: The writer's work was overshadowed by a factual error—colleges have not stopped requiring two years of foreign language. Back up your claims with sources, and always check additional ones.
