Brea Olinda High School Students Take Top Awards Orange County Journalism Competition

Brea Olinda High School's journalism program and student-run newspaper, the Wildcat, emerged victorious at the Orange County Journalism Education Association (OCJEA) Division 2 Best of Show competition on Feb. 24. The Best of Show was conducted through online submissions to determine the best overall online publication with the Wildcat surpassing eight other esteemed high schools in Orange County, including Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo, Irvine, Sage Hill, and Fullerton, to place first in Division 2.

 

The Wildcat reporters have had an impressive year, delivering compelling stories across various beats. From sports achievements to community events and cultural reviews, their coverage is both comprehensive and engaging.

 

Editor-in-Chief Ellen Kim and News Editor Lauren Ko particularly stood out with their exceptional contributions. Ellen earned her first “Best of SNO” recognition while Lauren earned her second “Best of SNO.” The awards are presented to the top student work produced by School News Online’s high school and college members. 

 

“Last year, SNO published just 10 percent of 14,000 submissions from 533 schools across the country. This year, the Wildcat has earned seven of the distinctions,” said Wildcat Adviser Alex Koers.

 

The journey to victory was marked by a series of standout articles published by the Wildcats: