For certain people, having a hobby is great, but being able to have a hobby and be passionate about it is something that comes naturally to Portage High School senior Nick Jordan and junior Haley Crnarich.
Recently, Jordan was named an Indiana High School Press Association Student Journalist of the Year finalist. Crnarich received third place in the IHSPA Sports Photography Contest.
Jordan is the editor-in-chief of the yearbook, “Legend,, and is also involved in Natural Helpers and is part of ACES. He is also a manager at Culver's and does charity work for a Syrian refugee camp.
Jordan applied for Journalist of the Year because he wanted to create a professional body of work that proved his design skills. To be a contestant for the award, he had to create a portfolio that would showcase his skills and the work he can produce.
“Working on my portfolio wasn’t that difficult because I had already made two different ones when I applied for Columbia and the Art Institute,” Jordan said. “The portfolio had a running theme and a cohesive design, so it was fun to do."
When he learned he was a finalist for the Journalist of the Year, it did not only make him proud, but reassured.
“I was very proud and even more proud of what I produced,” he said. “I am proud that my work as a visual story teller and designer is viewed as highly as a traditional journalist. The award reassured me I had the potential and could survive in the world with a creative career. “
Jordan was one of six finalists for the award.
Jordan’s yearbook adviser, Melissa Deavers-Lowie, was more than surprised by his nomination.
“I was beyond excited that he was nominated,” said Deavers-Lowie. “We were nervous for a minute because the email telling us if he was one [a nominee] or not so in the end we were ultimately thrilled.”
Jordan joined yearbook his sixth grade because of this sister.
“I wanted to be involved just like my sister so I joined,” Jordan said.
According to Jordan, it is his serious approach to yearbook that got him to where he is today.
“My first year in yearbook [at PHS] I was Clubs Editor and I took the position very seriously,” Jordan said. “Mrs. Deavers-Lowie noticed my potential and promoted me my junior year to Editor-In-Chief.”
His seriousness has taken him far, and Deavers-Lowie is not the only person to notice. Jordan has won countless awards for his design skills.
Jordan hopes to go to Columbia College in Chicago or Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana in the fall.
Crnarich is the Photography Editor for Legend and an INN staff member for Broadcasting. She also involved with Natural Helpers and is a dancer at United Dance Academy.
She was one of four who were given awards for their photography. For Crnarich, this award was the first she has recieved in the two years she has been on the yearbook staff.
“I was so surprised,” Crnarich said. “I wasn’t expecting it at all honestly.”
Because of being one of four who were award, she now gets the opportunity to takes pictures of an Indiana Pacers basketball practice.
Deavers-Lowie thought the same about Crnarich’s recognition as well.
“That contest is really competitive so I was super surprised,” Deavers-Lowie said. “She’s a really good photographer so I was still super excited.”
Crnarich joined yearbook because her mother was in yearbook and was told it was a fun experience.
Both were awarded with the certificates for their awards at the First Amendment Symposium on March 5 in Indianapolis.