West Plains High School’s Ridgerunner magazine was recently informed that it had won the American Scholastic Press Association’s FIRST PLACE WITH SPECIAL MERIT honor of distinction.  The magazine, written by juniors and seniors in a folklore class taught by Mrs. Dianna Locke, has been in existence since 1985.

Ridgerunner was praised for having a publication that was “special and outstanding design and content.”  The magazine was also honored with BEST FOLKLORE recognition, as well.

The 2010-2011 staff was led by student editors Kayla Elam and Stephanie Harrington.  It also included the writing talents of Randy Belcher, Joe Brown, Cort Gamblin, Alex Henry, Katie Roe, Robby Temple, Ambrosia Thompson, Autumn Tullos, and Melissa Whittingham.  The fall issue was dedicated to the memory of Dorothy Epley, a long-time subscriber of the magazine and second generation Zizzer.  The Spring issue celebrated the theme of family tradition and featured staff member’s recipes and stories from their grandmothers and great-grandmothers.

Ridgerunner was extraordinarily pleased to receive a score of 980 out of a possible 1,000 points at judging.  The standards of the ASPA are quite rigorous and this was considered the highest praise.   

The American Scholastic Press Association, headquartered in College Point, New York, receives thousands of entries each year.

The Fall 2011 edition of Ridgerunner , published by Color Tech Printing, will go on sale the week of December 19.  It may be purchased at Aid Downtown Antiques, Book Nook, Time and Talent, or at the high school.  The magazine is published in the fall and spring and a subscription is $12.

This year’s staff includes Joe Brown, Editor, and writers Abbie Conley, Kelby Czerwonka, Cort Gamblin, Laura Grisham, Adam Kissinger, Holden LaFevers, Brooke Mayfield, Breanna Quinn, Katie Roe, Kassie Roe, Megan Smith, Shelby Smith, Breanna Stirewalt, Ambrosia Thompson, Autumn Tullos, Andrew White, Melissa Whittingham, and Breawna Wilson.

Front row: Joe Brown, editor

Second row: Laura Grisham, Kelby Czerwonka, Adam Kissinger, Brianna Quinn, Ambrosia Thompson

Third row: Katie Roe, Melissa Whittingham, Abbie Conley

Fourth row: Breanna Stirewalt, Kassie Roe, Briawna Wilson, Brooke Mayfield, Andrew White

Top row: Cort Gamblin, Shelby Amyx Smith, Holden LaFevers, Autumn Tullos

Not pictured: Megan Smith and Mrs. Dianna Locke, Advisor