The student editors, writers and photographers for The Current, Malibu High School’s award-winning newspaper, are proof that achievement awards don’t happen just by luck-they are won through talent, determination and hard work.
“The bottom line is having a really dedicated staff,” said newspaper advisor David Warshawski. “I’m really proud of their work.”
Recently, The Current was recognized by the American Scholastic Press Association, with a “First Place with Special Merit” award, the national organization’s highest honor.
The association also bestowed honors on MHS senior Brenna McGee for her investigative report on California school budget cuts affecting the district-Malibu High School, in particular. McGee was distinguished for the same reportage by the annual Los Angeles Times Journalism Awards committee, receiving $250 for a second place commendation.
MHS senior Matt Freund won a second place L.A. Times award for his sports photography featured in The Current. He attributed much of his and the newspaper’s success to Warshawski and journalism teacher Carla Bowman-Smith.
“I definitely have to say that the teacher was the best thing about the journalism class,” he said. “She always had time to help us. She never turned us away.” He added that Warshawski’s support and enthusiasm was also a motivating factor for the newspaper staff.
The supportive environment has paid off. For the last two years, The Current has garnered first place awards from the American Scholastic Press Association, but the 2002-2003 award was the first time the paper had reached the highest rank.
And just as the newspaper has improved, the seniors who make up a majority of this year’s staff have grown as journalists.
“The first year, as a sophomore, I was a writer. It was a lot of fun,” said Current co-editor Tommaso Trento. The senior became a section editor during his second year on the paper, ending his high school stint in the editor’s seat, which he shared with fellow student David Bressler, a junior.
“It was a lot more stressful this year,” admitted Trento. “I’m glad I got to see how journalism works, but no more editing!”
Managing editor and writer McGee also praised Warshawski’s role as advisor and mentor. “He backed us 100 percent,” McGee said. “He would take the heat for controversial stories. He really pushed us.”
McGee attributed much of the paper’s success to expanding the student’s perspective to a national level. “This year, we went to the National Journalism Convention in Dallas,” she said. “We really worked on making it a quality paper. We got a lot of ideas from seeing what other newspapers were doing. The content has always been good, but the style and layout have been completely redone. Aesthetically, it’s really better.”
In the fall, a fresh group of students will head The Current, but Warshawski sees that change as natural and exciting, and expects the new staff to continue the same legacy of excellence left by the graduating team.