Hoosier Star's 'final' yearbook judge
names record 9 Hoosier Stars, 7 Merits

     A record nine yearbook staffs earned the highest rating given by the Indiana High School Press Association. The "Hoosier Stars" were awarded from a group of final books that had been judged as "excellent" or "superior" by out-of-state judges in December and January. Nearly 50 schools entered books in the 2004 critique service and 25 schools were "finalists" in the Hoosier Star competition.
      "This was probably the most competitive year I've seen since I began judging the final round of Hoosier Stars," said Jim Grim, former award-winning high school adviser and community school coordinator for George Washington Community School in Indianapolis. The nine Hoosier Stars and seven Merit Awards -- a record total of 16 -- testify to the quality and quantity of this year's contest.
     Grim awarded three Hoosier Stars and three Merit Awards to schools in Division 1 (small enrollment). He awarded two Hoosier Stars and two Merit Awards in Division 2 and awarded four Hoosier Stars and two Merit Awards in the large school Division 3.
     Grim's in-depth written analysis of each award-winning publication will be posted on the IHSPA web site in the fall. The Hoosier Star awards will be made during the fall convention on Oct. 15.
     The newspaper Hoosier Stars are currently being considered by Hoosier Star final judge Cheryl Pontius. Pontius, a former newspaper editor, judges for the South Carolina Scholastic Press Association among other state and national contests. She currently is considering these newspaper finalists:
     • Division 1 (school enrollments of 800 or less): Bishop Noll, Brown County, Paoli and Scottsburg high schools.
     • Division 2 (school enrollments of 801-1300):Cathedral, Columbus East, Greenwood, Madison Consolidated, Mooresville, Muncie Central, Plainfield, and Zionsville.
     • Division 3 (school enrollments greater than 1300): Avon, Ben Davis, Carroll, Carmel, Columbus North, Crown Point, Lake Central, Lawrence Central, Lawrence North, Munster, New Albany, Noblesville, Northrop, North Central, South Bend Riley, and Warren Central high schools.
     Nearly 50 newspaper staffs participated in the 2004 Hoosier Star Critique Service and Competition.
     "From the IHSPA's perspective, the Hoosier Star program is a critique service first and foremost. Our goal is to provide depth feedback that can guide staffs toward reaching even higher goals in the future," Dennis Cripe, executive director said.