Fallbrook High newspaper wins awards

FALLBROOK — The Tomahawk, “The Voice of Fallbrook High” student newspaper, recently won prestigious awards in regional and national competitions.

Daniela Rogulj (Class of 2008) won the Most Valuable Staffer award for her work as a political cartoonist for this year’s Tomahawk. The award is given annually by the San Diego Union-Tribune through its Newspaper in Education Program.

“Daniela is an exceptional talent. She is able to take complex issues and personalities and, through her artistry, convert them into incisive, compelling critiques of the issues and personalities of the day,” said Dave Evans, Tomahawk advisor. “Daniela can write her own ticket as a political cartoonist if she chooses to, and I certainly hope that she does.”

This year, for the first time, the Tomahawk entered the American Society of Newspaper Editors national competition in the high school category and took home second place honors.

“This award is a tribute to the entire staff and the remarkable strides we have made since returning [the] journalism [class] to Fallbrook High’s curriculum after a two-year absence. I am very proud of the kids for this accomplishment. It belongs to them. They did all the work,” Evans said.

This year the Tomahawk went 100-percent digital and full color, following the example of the 2007 Moccasin Yearbook, of which Evans is also advisor.

The Tomahawk has also partnered with Fallbrook Printing to publish not only in full color but also on 100-pound gloss book stock, the same paper used by the yearbook.

This was made possible by the generosity of owner Randy Folin, who is printing the Tomahawk at cost.

To show its appreciation for his contributions, the Fallbrook Union High School District Board of Trustees will be honoring Folin at its next board meeting, Monday, June 2, at 6:30 p.m.

Due to budget cuts, the journalism program has been forced to look for other sources of revenue to keep the student paper going. To that end, Evans has recruited members of the community to sponsor the Tomahawk.

So far, $3,800 has been raised for the 2008-2009 year, with a goal of $7,500. There are four levels of sponsorship: Bronze ($100), Silver ($250), Gold ($500) and Platinum ($1,000). Legacy Endowment leads the way with a $2,000 “Double Platinum” sponsorship.

“It is people and businesses like these that make being a part of this community such a wonderful experience,” said Evans. “The Tomahawk staff promises to endeavor to produce a student newspaper of which these sponsors, and everyone, will be proud.”

Sponsors to date include Brandon Street Mini-Storage (Gold); William Ahrend, Ahrend Studios; Living Waters Christian Fellowship (Silver); and eight Bronze sponsors.

Persons and businesses interested in sponsoring the Tomahawk should contact Evans at (760) 723-6300, ext. 2133, or [email protected].