Westfield High School Newspaper Named One of the Best In the Country

Westfield High School’s student run weekly newspaper, Hi’s Eye, has been recognized by both the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association for outstanding achievement in online and print news production.

The Columbia Scholastic Press Association awarded Hi’s Eye a Silver Medal in Hybrid Print and Digital Critique, recognizing both the online and print versions.

Now in its 81st year, the Hi’s Eye is one of the only weekly, independent high school news programs in the country.

“Excellent job coming out every week in print and so frequently online as well,” a judge noted. “You report on newsworthy events.”

Hi’s Eye was awarded a Second Class Honor Rating by the National Scholastic Press Association based on critique of the digital version. In two categories (Site Design and Writing/Editing), Hi’s Eye earned a perfect score.

>>Related: Westfield High School Students Earn Perfect SAT and ACT Scores

“Hi’s Eye has an attractive graphical design and a few eye-catching animated presentations that can attract readers.... The staff seems to have a good instinct for what might interest readers,” noted the NSPA judge.

“We are extremely proud of our news staff,” Nicole Scimone, one of the Hi’s Eye Journalism advisers at Westfield High School stated. “The students consistently rise to meet the challenges of producing a well-written, relevant paper for our students and community. They also impress us with their dedication to innovation as our program shifts into the age of digital journalism.”

Scimone added that those interested in our program’s new features can visit the new blog, which is linked to the Hi’s Eye’s website, or follow the news paper on Facebook at Westfield High School Hi’s Eye, on Twitter @hiseyenews, and Instagram @whshiseye.” Other Hi’s Eye advisers include Rosemary DiBattista and Warren Hynes.

Pictured: Westfield High School students work on a recent edition at the “Brainstorm Board.” From left, WHS seniors Eric Herber, Kim Burns and Elli Warsh work at the board. Herber and Warsh are web editors- in-chief, while Burns is the editor-in-chief of Iris, Hi’s Eye’s Arts and Entertainment issue.

Photo courtesy of Lorre Korecky

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