Local Student Places First At Journalism Competition

ST. CHARLES, IL - From Community Unit School District 303: St. Charles East junior Carmella Furio, who serves as managing editor of the school’s newspaper X-Ray, was awarded first place for Editorial Writing on April 27 during the IHSA’s Journalism State Finals at Eastern Illinois University.

Carmella has been a member of St. Charles East's X-Ray newspaper for three years. She began as a staff writer, and then moved into the role of assistant editor before being named as managing editor for the 2018-2019 school year.

This is the second year Carmella participated in the IHSA Journalism State Series Competition. Carmella's first place finish at sectionals in the category of Editorial Writing qualified her for the state finals. The Editorial Writing prompt for sectionals was based on the topic of a school's fundraising efforts. Students who place in the top three spots at sectionals qualify for the state competition.

The prompt at the state level was related to protecting schools against gun violence. Her winning entry will be posted on the IHSA website in the coming days.

The X-Ray advisors are Leslie Ladowski and Jacob Stewart, who are both English teachers at East.

Photo courtesy of Community Unit School District 303