Journalism advisers Lauren Teeter and Dennis Brown didn’t think it was their year.
They were at the IHSA state finals in Normal on the afternoon of April 23 listening to the awards ceremony. After hearing the results in the first 15 events, Huntley HS’s Journalism Team was far from the lead.
But then the last three events were announced; in all three, Huntley HS students placed first in state, catapulting the team into the lead to win their second consecutive IHSA state championship, the third in Huntley High School’s history.
“I was just in shock when I heard the results,” Brown said. “Within five minutes, we went from middle of the pack to first place. It was amazing and I couldn’t be prouder of these kids.”
The team scored 31 team points in eight events. Fremd High School and Edwardsville High School finished tied for second with 25 points.
Five HHS contestants won state championships in four events: Lauren Courtney (Yearbook Copy Writing), Nikki Darnall (Advertising), Ela Hontanosas and Karen Razal (Yearbook Theme), and Kylie Phommasack (Yearbook Layout/Design).
“I was genuinely surprised when we were named state champions,” junior Karen Razal said. “I looked at Ela and said ‘it’s not going to be us,’ so when they announced it, my mouth just dropped.”
“I think about it and it makes me smile. I’m a part of this team and everyone is so supportive. I just loved the energy that we had during the awards. Everyone was cheering for each other.”
Teeter was thrilled at the news and one particular moment stuck out.
“Bringing home another state trophy was incredible; however, the moment I’ll remember forever is turning around when Lauren was announced as the first place winner in yearbook copy writing…her tears of joy…her smile as she called her best friend, trying to whisper ‘thank yous’ while the next categories were announced. Shortly after, Kylie placed first in design and Ela and Karen placed first in theme development. After a few tough years, I’m so happy and proud of the work they put in.”
“I was so nervous just sitting there, very excited, terrified honestly,” Phommasack said. “When they called my name as state champion, I stood up and I was frozen. I just tried to walk up, I was so shocked and excited.”
“I didn’t realize we were going to place first, until I heard the second place teams announced. Jake (Habel) realized it and then we knew. It was just so exciting.”
In addition to Courtney, Darnall, Hontanosas, Razal, and Phommasack, HHS team members placed in the following competitions:
- Alexis Cobb, 3rd place, Photo Storytelling
- Chase Keller, 6th place, Sports Writing
- Abby Panier, 6th place, Newspaper Design
- Amelia Pozniak, 6th place, Editorial Writing
For Courtney, being able to attend the event in person for the first time in three years was special.
“It was very different than last year, being able to go to the awards, seeing all of the other teams. It was very exciting; it felt a lot more real,” Courtney said.
The way the team ended up winning the championship also stood out for her.
“Coming from behind like that with the yearbook competitors bringing our team back; that was the best part of the whole thing,” Courtney said. “Last year, the newspaper carried the team; this year, the yearbook paid it back.”
Their success at the state finals followed the team’s sectional championship on April 9. The team won the sectional with a total of 93 points over Kaneland (52 points) and Galena (52 points).
Individual winners from the sectional included:
- Ellie Armstrong, 1st place, Copy Editing
- Alexis Cobb, 1st place, Photo Storytelling
- Lauren Courtney, 1st place, YB Copy Writing
- Sara Gebka, 1st place, Editorial Cartooning
- Jessy Gone, 1st place, Review Writing
- Jake Habel, Andrew Spaid, Taylor Casey, 1st place, Video News
- Chase Keller, 1st place, Sports Writing
- Maggie Kirwin, 1st place, Infographics
- Abby Panier, 1st place, Newspaper Design
- Kylie Phommasack, 1st place, YB Layout/Design
- Natalie VonderHeide, 1st place, Feature Writing
- Kate Alvarado, 2nd place, Broadcast News
- Ela Hontanosas, Karen Razal, 2nd place, YB Theme
- Ashley Foster, 3rd place, YB Caption Writing
- Amelia Pozniak, 3rd place, Editorial Writing
- Megan Curry, 3rd place, News Writing
- Nikki Darnall, 4th place, Advertising
- Jacey Sola, 4th place, Headline Writing
