During a recent government meeting, educators from Albert Lea High School celebrated significant achievements in their student publications program, highlighting awards and growth over the past two years. The school received two prestigious awards at the National Convention: first place in literary design for the IMAG magazine and ninth place for editorial leadership awarded to Rosa Cori Greene, editor of the Alahasa newspaper. These accolades reflect the hard work and dedication of students and mentors alike.

The educators reported a remarkable increase in student participation across the four publications—Alahasa newspaper, Tiger Yearbook, IMAG literary magazine, and TigerVision—indicating a thriving interest in journalism and media among students. The yearbook alone saw registration jump to 52 students for the upcoming year, a significant rise from previous years.

To support this growth, the program has focused on enhancing technology resources. The educators successfully secured a grant for iPads and are in the process of acquiring Mini Mac computers to run their Adobe suite, which is essential for their digital projects. Additionally, they purchased 14 new cameras to replace outdated equipment.

The Tiger Yearbook achieved gold status from the National Yearbook Program of Excellence, and the Alahasa newspaper earned commendable placements in state competitions, further underscoring the program's success. The educators credited their achievements to strong community support and collaboration with local service clubs, which have helped provide resources and training opportunities for students.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of mentorship and community engagement in fostering student interest in journalism. The educators expressed gratitude for the support received from community members and highlighted the positive impact of their collaborative efforts on student learning and engagement.

Overall, the meeting showcased a vibrant and growing publications program at Albert Lea High School, driven by passionate educators and enthusiastic students eager to explore the world of journalism.