La Salle Falconer Wins “Best of Show” Award at NHSJC in Los Angeles

Avery Rush, Editor in Chief
April 13, 2022

  • The group visited the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), where they were able to explore exhibits including the Black American Portrait exhibit and Barbara Kruger’s “Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You.” exhibit.

    Katy Spaulding
    '

  • While looking out at the city on a balcony at the Getty Center, some of the attendees captured a group selfie.

    Lukas Werner
    '

  • Seniors Elsie Buczkowski and Anna Waldron held up their hands forming “L.A.” in honor of the group’s departure for Los Angeles.

    Avery Rush
    '

  • The Falconer qualified as a finalist in the race for an NSPA Pacemaker award, the most prestigious award in high school journalism.

    Miles Kane
    '

  • The streets outside of the convention hotel housed many office buildings and skyscrapers, as part of Los Angeles’ financial district.

    Miles Kane
    '

  • The students on the trip indulged in a group dinner at The Grove’s Cheesecake Factory on Saturday, following their trip to LACMA.

    Lukas Werner
    '

  • Senior Isaac Brown smelled one of the many plants at the Getty Center garden.

    Lukas Werner
    '

  • Senior Isaac Brown and junior Avery Marks posed in the check-in line awaiting their early-morning takeoff.

    Avery Rush
    '

  • On the last full day of the trip, La Salle’s attendees made a trip to the Getty Center, which boasted an expansive garden and multiple art exhibits.

    Miles Kane
    '

  • The Falconer earned an eighth-place Best of Show award, in the online news site category for schools with fewer than 1,500 students.

    Lukas Werner
    '

  • After their visit to the Getty Center, the group visited the Santa Monica Boardwalk, where they watched the sunset and admired the views of the Pacific Ocean.

    Miles Kane
    '

  • Seniors Anna Waldron and Elsie Buczkowski showed off their airport attire while waiting at baggage claim.

    Avery Rush
    '
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On Thursday, April 7, a group of seven journalism students departed from the Portland International Airport for Los Angeles, California, where they attended the National High School Journalism Convention (NHSJC) with The Falconer’s advisor, Mr. Miles Kane. 

The NHSJC is held in various cities across the United States twice a year — once in the fall and once in the spring. 

The Falconer earned an eighth-place Best of Show award, in the online news site category for schools with fewer than 1,500 students.

The convention took place at the Westin Bonaventure hotel in the financial district of Los Angeles and lasted three days. Students and advisors from hundreds of schools traveled from all around the United States for the conference. Attendees were able to select sessions hosted by various speakers where they could broaden their knowledge on a variety of journalism topics, and increase their expertise in writing.

On the first evening of the convention, The Falconer received a plaque recognizing their position as one of 47 finalists for the Online Pacemaker award, an award given to the 20 most impressive student news sites in the country. In addition to the Pacemaker award which is granted in the spring, there are “Best of Show” awards given to select schools present at each convention.

This preceded the keynote speaker, Hilde Lysiak, a 15-year-old who spoke about her experiences fighting for recognition as a legitimate journalist despite her young age.

After the conclusion of each day’s sessions in the afternoon, the students in attendance set out for sightseeing, which included visits to some of Los Angeles’ local art museums, such as The Broad, The Getty, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). They also made trips to local restaurants and walked the Santa Monica boardwalk.