Both Vandegrift newspaper and yearbook teams earned top honors this year in the University Interscholastic League academic competitions. 

“We were the only school in the district to get a star for both the yearbook and newspaper,” said Lela Coker, journalism, yearbook and newspaper director at Vandegrift HS.

The 2019 “cerTEN” yearbook got a Silver Star and the Vandegift Voice staff got a Bronze Star.

Natalie Brink, one of three newspaper editors, got Online Newspaper Editor of the Year out of the whole state. 

Coker did not contain her excitement when she stated, “which is just super amazing!!!”

Harshita Avereneni got Tops In Texas for Entertainment Feature for her story “Sailing into a new land”.

“Which means she placed first in the 6A class and then out of the other first place winners from 1A-6A her’s was the best,” Coker said.

“Usually there is a big awards ceremony to wrap up but the Spring ILPC Convention at UT,” said Coker, but not this year.

​The newspaper staff also achieved Distinguished Site rating with the School Newspaper Online program as well as earning about a dozen Best Of SNO awards over the school year for different articles they wrote.  

“All in all both staffs have a lot to celebrate,” Coker said.