Kopish leads with three prizes in statewide journalism contest
Students at West Bend East and West High took home seven individual awards in the 2015 NEWSPA contest for student journalism. The West Bend Current also earned blue ribbon honors for online publication.
The Northeastern Wisconsin Scholastic Press Association gave blue ribbon honors to The Current‘s Miranda Paikowski for in-depth reporting, honoring her series of articles about last fall’s proposal to merge the high schools. Editor in Chief Alex Kopish also earned first place for her feature story about a local teacher asked to stand on stage with the president. Kopish led all staff members with three prizes.
Full List of Awards
- The Current was given blue ribbon honors for a website not published through a journalism class.
- Miranda Paikowski, East junior, earned first place for In-Depth Reporting for her series about East and West potentially merging.
- Alex Kopish, East senior, won first place in the Personality Profile category for her feature “Standing Behind the President.”
- Kopish also earned second place in the News-Based Feature category for “That’s Gonna Leave a Mark” and third place in the News Photography category for a picture that accompanied Mike Smale’s article “The Clock Is Ticking.”
- Lauren Sorensen, East junior, won second place in the Academic News category for “No Ripple Effect.”
- Sorensen was also awarded third place for her editorial “It Wasn’t About Hall Passes.”
- Anthony Schlass, West sophomore, took third place in the Sports News Writing category for “Former Sun Will Be a Badger.”
The Current competed in the large school division of the NEWSPA contest. The student news blog is advised by Eric Beltmann.
(Photograph by Kim Barrett, East English teacher.)
The West Bend Current 
Awesome! Well deserved!
Congrats to Alex, Lauren, and all the staff. I enjoy reading your publication, especially hearing about the students’ perspective on issues. Kudos to your advisor!
Congrats to the entire staff, including Mr. Beltman who encourages his journalists to find quality stories and allows them to make the story their own. Alex K. is a pleasure to have in class and a wonderful writer. Thanks for a great year with the current.
Solid journalism. Strong ethics. Balanced reporting. You are doing justice to your school and the community. The skills you’re learning now will benefit you the rest of your life no matter what your career choice. Great work and nice job Mr. Beltmann.
Congratulations to all. It was well earned!