Texas University Interscholastic League has named seniors Allison Koontz, Erin Westermann and 2015 graduate Tasha Brown to the 2015 All-State Journalism staff.

The league announced staff members in August based on a culmination of points earned throughout the previous school year. Students earn points from UIL journalism competitions at invitationals, district, region and state level as well as other state and national writing competitions for both individuals and publications. A student journalist becomes eligible for the All-State staff by earning 50 or more points over the course of the year.

“Most of your points come from competitions,” Westermann said. “You get a few points for being editor and other things like that, but I got most of my points from UIL.”

Westermann competes in two UIL journalism events. She competed in the State UIL Academic Meet in Austin the last two years and placed fifth in feature writing last year.

“I usually do better in feature writing, but headline writing is my subsequent category,” Westermann said. “Even though I generally score lower in headlines, the small amount of points I earn from that helps me gradually get those 50 points.”

Westermann said she learned to write quickly, clearly and concisely for the yearbook, for which she is the editor-in-chief. The job includes not only writing brief feature stories, but also editing other staff members’ work for passive voice, repetitive words and AP style.

“I’ve found that the most useful thing I’ve learned is the ability to edit myself,” Westermann said. “Editing other people’s writing for the yearbook has helped me edit my own work much better.”

Tasha Brown, former editor-in-chief of the Eagle’s Tale, also attributes her position on the All-State Staff to her work as an editor.

“I didn’t focus on the competitions but just utilized the news writing I edited and wrote every day,” Brown said. “I just applied myself to journalism and producing the best online newspaper possible. This was just a bonus.”

Brown also competed in the 2015 State UIL Academic Meet, bringing home a second place medal for news writing. She was also the editor-in-chief of The Eagle’s Tale when the publication received the Silver Crown from Columbia Scholastic Press Association at Columbia University in New York City last year.

“These awards and accomplishments reminded me that I really could lead a newsroom because of my writing capabilities,” Brown said. “Plus, trips to the events and to receive the CSPA award brought me closer to my staff. When I received the award in paper, it brought back wonderful memories from high school newspaper and brought a smile to my face.”

Brown’s successor, current co-editor-in-chief Allison Koontz earned All-State points from several state and national writing competitions as well as UIL. Koontz earned a national award for a story on the CHS body farm, as well as several state awards from associations such as Interscholastic League Press Conference. Kootz said writing for the school newspaper contributed to her success.

“Being able to work on my writing every day has helped me so much as a writer,” Koontz said. “Editing others’ work and having a leadership position motivates me to become a better writer so I can be a better a leader for the upcoming staff members.”

Koontz said she plans to use this experience and the writing skills she has learned later in life, as she plans to go into public relations after high school. Although the title of All-State Staff Member will be useful in preparing college applications and resumes, Koontz said she has also learned from the process.

“I love being on newspaper staff,” Koontz said. “If you really love what you do, then you should put all of your heart into it. If you want to do something, put all you have into it and it will get you somewhere.”