MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Matthew C. Perry High School journalism and yearbook students were honored with five awards at the 10th annual Department of Defense Dependant Schools Far East Journalism Conference on Nov. 12 in Tokyo.
In the conference photography challenge, advanced category, Danny Duck, a junior at M.C. Perry and student newspaper layout editor, was awarded third place for best overall photography. James Moreno, a senior, took second all around in photography, beginning category.
M.C. Perry yearbook editor, senior Catie Cauguiran, received three individual awards. Cauguiran took third in headline writing; second all around for advanced photography and first place for best individual local nonperson culture photo.
"For this being my first year attending the conference I was surprised that I actually won. Nonetheless I'm thankful, especially because these are the fields I would like to pursue for a career," Cauguiran said. "The conference had good insight into what we prospective broadcast/print journalist have to look forward to."
Being the first time M.C. Perry's participants have taken home awards at the annual conference, the sponsors and students immediately branded this year's journalism conference a success.
"This year was definitely a success for us. We took the best of show and walked away five-time winners," Donald Williams, M.C. Perry sponsor said. "I am really proud of how well we did."
The four-day 2003 conference was co-hosted by Kinnick High School and Zama American at the New Sanno Hotel, in the heart of Tokyo. More than a hundred high school students from fifteen Pacific Rim high schools attended. Each day on-site challenges and competitions were attended, along with sessions teaching various journalism aspects, from editorial writing to photography, taught by professionals, DODDS teachers and academic journalists.
"Young journalists have advantages and opportunities in today's media because they start young," Chip Davey, a college journalism professor and session teacher said. "That is why I am here, to show them that."
The focus this year was on the need to verbalize. As the voice of the future, the students were encouraged to use what they had learned at the conference and allow their voices to be heard in their communities.
The students "have the power to influence society, and the need to come up with the right ideas to convey that," conference organizer Lamaar Brack said. "The conference is here to give them the skills they need to achieve this."
As the conference wrapped up, each student said they walked away with important lessons learned for their future. With tips for catchy headlines, exciting captions, engaging stories and more, the conference offered them a chance to improve in all areas of journalism.
"I really learned a lot more than I knew before I came to the conference. I gained a lot of insight into the journalism profession and skills I can use to better my journalism." James Nash, a M.C. Perry participant said.