North Platte High School is home to the state’s top photographer.

Freshman Quincey Epley placed first in the NSAA state journalism contest Monday in Norfolk.  Epley’s preliminary entry earned her a spot in the competition.  However, once there, she had to prove her ability in a live assignment against other Class A photographers.  Her three shots earned her the highest ranking in Nebraska.

Haley McKain also took home a medal yesterday for her in-depth news writing.  McKain placed 4th in the state in the Class A competition. In-depth writing covers a subject more extensively.  McKain was the only reporter on the podium who worked individually; the other schools’ pieces were collaborative with several reporters contributing to the coverage.

Syble Heffernan (junior), Riley Epley (senior), and Kaitlyn Slinker (sophomore) also competed in the competition.

The last time North Platte High School placed first at the NSAA contest was 1977.

Both girls are staff writers for the North Platte Bulldogger newspaper and plan to continue working in journalism next school year.

Full results can be found at this website: http://nsaahome.org/journalism/.

Editor’s Note: This story was submitted by NPHS Journalism Advisor Lori Larson.