“RO: In the Know” won a Gold Star at the Interscholastic League Press Conference’s Spring Convention on April 19, making it one of only three student news web sites in the state to earn that distinction.

ILPC, which is the journalism division of UIL, recognizes the best student journalism in the state each spring. In addition to Red Oak, Lovejoy High School in Lucas and Legacy High School in Mansfield also earned a Gold Star. Student news web sites earning Silver and Bronze Stars included those from area high schools such as Coppell, Hebron, Lewisville, Duncanville and The Hockaday School.

“RO: In the Know” staff members also won 12 individual achievement awards at the convention. In the online division, junior high students must compete against high school students for awards.

“I could not be prouder of my students and their hard work,” adviser Erin Cristales said. “Their dedication to journalistic excellence is why they won these awards.”

The editors who attended ILPC were thrilled to learn that all their hard work had paid off.

“I learned that it doesn’t matter about your age, it’s about how much work and dedication you put in,” Photo Editor Gracie Klander, who won first place for portrait and honorable mention for feature photo, said.

Sports Editor Lindsey Barrientez won third place for sports news story and an honorable mention for sports feature writing.

“I was very proud of receiving third, because I was competing against students a lot older than me,” Barrientez said. “Not only that, but I felt that all my hard work had paid off. I personally believe I wouldn’t have got to where I am today without Mrs. Cristales.”

Other editors took away many new tips from the workshops they attended at ILPC.

“I was taught organizing and different styles of caption writing at ILPC, and that when you write a story, it’s like writing a movie, and you’re the director,” Arts and Entertainment Editor Makayla Miller said.

Those who weren’t able to attend the convention still said they have learned many things from being a journalism student.

“I felt good when I won second place; I wasn’t mad about not getting first,” Arts & Entertainment Critic Mohamed Abumerhi, who won for review writing, said. “I was just happy to receive second, because I didn’t even expect that. In journalism, I have learned how to write and work like a journalist.”

“RO: In the Know” received the following individual achievement awards April 19:

1st place, In-Depth News/Feature Story: Staff, “RO: In the Know” (for mock disaster coverage)

1st place, News Feature: Christopher Stephenson & Yudit Munoz

1st place, Portrait: Gracie Klander

2nd place, Editorial Writing: Katlin Hyder, Jawn Cade, Tasneem Isa, Natus Little

2nd place, Entertainment Review: Mohamed Abumerhi

2nd place, News Writing: Jovanna Coronado

2nd place, Subjective Writing (Adviser’s Challenge): Erin Cristales

3rd place, Computer Art: Rylee Choate

3rd place, Personal Column: Hannah Jones Griffin

3rd place, Sports News Story: Lindsey Barrientez

Honorable Mention, Feature Photo: Gracie Klander

Honorable Mention, Sports Feature: Lindsey Barrientez

 To view this year’s winners from around the state, visit http://www.uiltexas.org/journalism/ilpc/results.