The Lafayette publications staffs took 12 members to the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association National Fall  Journalism Conference in Kansas City, MO, Nov. 11-14.

The students were given the opportunity to compete in a national write-off contest in a variety of areas of newspaper and yearbook journalism.

Of the 1,963 total contest participants, 642 won awards.  Among the recipients were seniors Caleb Cavarretta, Chelsea Coleman, Maddie Johnson and Lauren Parker.

Cavarretta, Image opinion editor, received an excellent rating for his piece of commentary writing.

Editor-in-chief Coleman was given an honorable mention in feature writing.

Johnson, Image feature editor, was awarded an excellent rating for her story in the newswriting category.

Parker, people editor for the Legend earned an excellent rating  for her work in the caption/copy for clubs category.

In addition to the individual success, the Legend earned 10th place in the Best of Show at the convention in the category of yearbooks with 325 pages or more.

“Overall, it was a great weekend and an impressive showing for the publications staff,” Parker said. “I was so glad to be a part of it.”