The staff of the Jackson Memorial High School literary magazine, “Jackson Views, Muses,” is proud of the first-place honors their magazine earned in a national competition. PHOTO COURTESY OF JACKSON SCHOOL DISTRICT JACKSON — The Jackson Memorial High School literary magazine, “Jackson Views, Muses,” has won first place in national competition and was also rated best in Ocean County by the American Scholastic Press Association.
The magazine competed against hundreds of other schools from throughout the country. Outstanding format, attractive design, variety of genres, outstanding writing and superior editing were categories in which the magazine excelled.
“We are extremely proud to recognize a number of high school students who have distinguished themselves by earning a firstplace award from the American Scholastic Press Association,” Jackson Board of Education President Sharon Dey said at a recent meeting.
The staff works relentlessly to make every issue the best it could possibly be.
Member Krista Albert said, “We put so much time into the magazine, sometimes meeting twice a week just to make sure everything is perfect.”
The judge for the contest said, “The magazine shows the efforts of talented and creative writers, artists, layout/graphic designers, staff members and their adviser.”
Bruce Miller, the magazine’s adviser for 27 years, said, “This award validates the students’ diligent efforts in creating a publication that reflects the talents of our student population. There’s always pressure to continue our tradition of excellence, and once again, the students have been able to achieve this goal.”
All aspects of production are accomplished in-house under the supervision of graphic arts teacher Lloyd Taylor.
Students on staff for the winning magazine were editor, Jaclyn Bradli; literary editor, Vanessa Gibbs; layout/art editors, Kaitlyn Allaire, Nicholas Frascino and Amanda Goodwin; and copy editor, Thomas Kluxen.
Staff members Krista Albert, Charles Gadson, Hayley Kotacska, Justin Nolan, Hope Olszewski, Seraphim Osiakwan, Marissa Parinello, Richard Partheymuller, Mark Tirone and Alyson Wright were also recognized.
This year’s layout editor, Amanda Squeo, said, “I enjoy doing the layout because I get to match all the poems with appropriate artwork, and it is my hope that my innovative layout will once again result in an award-winning magazine.”
Chief Editor Jackie Bradli is extremely pleased with the work that is being done.
“The magazine is honestly my passion, and I’m so proud to work on it. We have a very dedicated staff who is committed to making the most creative and well-written magazine possible,” Bradli said.
Literary Editor Vanessa Gibbs added, “I am so proud and I have such a good time working on the magazine. The beautiful poems, which are submitted from so many students, are also accompanied by student artwork, a beautiful marriage of art forms.”
Marissa Parinello is a staff member of “Jackson Views, Muses” at Jackson Memorial High School in Jackson Township.