Of the 928 student journalists registered to attend Fall Media Day, representing 50 schools, the Best of the West Contest recognized 22 outstanding individual entries and 18 publications. 

Individual students competed in three on-demand writing contests, two photography contests, and one broadcast contest. 

“I was impressed with the students who showed up to compete in the on-demand contests,” OJEA Vice President and Contest Chair, Glenn Krake, CJE, said. “It takes a certain amount of bravery to put yourself out there and produce content in a timed environment. Then to subject your work to critique from professional journalists can be intimidating, but these entries did not disappoint.” 

Industry professionals from local publications served as judges, awarding top entries with Honorable Mention, Excellent, or Superior. In each category, one standout entry was named “Best in Show.” 

Judges then reviewed all publication entries to the “Best of the West” competition and awarded 2nd Runner Up, 1st Runner Up and “Best of the West” for each publication category. 

“Every year, we see students put out astounding content,” Krake said. “I hope to see even more students compete at the next media day. It’s a great opportunity for students to put their skills on display and get some recognition for their hard work.” 

Fall Media Day 2022

ON-SITE CONTEST WINNERS

OPINION Writing

HONORABLE MENTION

Karina Rower, West Linn HS

Helena Erdahl, West LInn HS

EXCELLENT

Kate Kurata, Wilsonville HS

Eden Pepos, West Linn HS

SUPERIOR

Hannah Kaufman, Beaverton HS

BEST IN SHOW

Laura Taylor, Tigard HS

NEWS Writing

EXCELLENT

Sydney McCrone, West Linn HS 

BEST IN SHOW

Audrey Lippert, West Linn HS 

FEATURE Writing

HONORABLE MENTION

Sloan Linderman, Lincoln HS

Lily Arzie, Wilsonville HS

Sofia El-Shammaa, Sheldon HS

Fiona Dunn, Wilsonville HS

EXCELLENT

Lucy Fromm, Sheldon HS

Jay Bramhall, Springfield HS

SUPERIOR

Molly Fast, Tigard HS

Chloe Battin, Sheldon HS

BEST IN SHOW

Lily Gottschling, West Linn HS 

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

HONORABLE MENTION

Chase Johnston, Marshfield HS

BEST IN SHOW

Christian Beck, Canby HS 

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

HONORABLE MENTION

Christian Beck, Canby HS

EXCELLENT

Justine Paschley, West Linn HS

SUPERIOR

Cynthia Yoder, West Linn HS

BEST IN SHOW

Joseph Murphy, West Linn HS 

BEST OF THE WEST WINNERS

BROADCAST BEST OF THE WEST

2nd Runner Up

JCTV - Jesuit HS

1st Runner Up

Ravens Report - Ridgeview HS

BEST OF THE WEST

Wilsonville Broadcast Network - Wilsonville HS

NEWSPAPER BEST OF THE WEST

2nd Runner Up

The Oracle – McDaniel HS

1st Runner Up

The Orange R – Roseburg HS

BEST OF THE WEST

Cardinal Times – Lincoln HS

NEWSMAGAZINE BEST OF THE WEST

2nd Runner Up

Amplifier – West Linn HS

1st Runner Up

Beyond the Flock – Lincoln HS

BEST OF THE WEST

Backcountry Review – Springfield High School

LITERARY MAGAZINE BEST OF THE WEST

BEST OF THE WEST

Kaleidoscope - West Linn HS

Yearbook - small School 

2nd Runner Up

Kilchis - Tillamook High School

1st Runner Up

“100th Class” – Days Creek Charter School

BEST OF THE WEST

“To the End” - Salem Academy

Yearbook - LARGE School 

2nd Runner Up

Pedigree – West Albany High School

1st Runner Up

Juniper – Redmond HS

BEST OF THE WEST

Green & Gold – West Linn HS

ONLINE BEST OF THE WEST

2nd Runner Up

Wilsonville Broadcast Network – Wilsonville HS

1st Runner Up

wlhsNOW.com – West Linn HS

BEST OF THE WEST

Jesuit News.com – Jesuit HS