MAD students heading to state contest

BLOOMINGDALE -- Four students in the multimedia and design course at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School are heading to the state Business Professionals of America competition after excelling in podcast production at the regional competition in Marietta.

The team of Jarryn Hill, Lance Thornton, Kevin Campos and Jason Nutter will represent the school in Columbus on March 7-8 following their first-place finish in the Region 5 contest last fall.

MAD instructor Cody LaRue said students competed in various categories and earned first- to third-place finishes. He stated he was pleased with their success.

"Our podcast production team made it to state and we've won that event since its inception at the regionals," LaRue added. "There were about 10 teams at the Washington County Career Center."

The team had to produce and submit a three- to five-minute podcast, discussing the effects of artificial intelligence on the current generation and education.

They then had to make a presentation during the competition.

Contestants were scored on a rubric based on technical and presentation aspects. Their combined total points determined their placement in the category.

In the end, the JVS team was awarded first and will be on their way to the Greater Columbus Convention Center for the upcoming event.

Other participants included the team of juniors Dylan Falla, Briley Blancato, Madison Grimm and Drake Frisinger, who placed second in visual design.

Juniors Cheyenne Jordan, Jacob Kendel and Zechariah Murphy earned a second-place finish in website design.

Senior Gabriella Diaz and junior Cheyenne Jordan finished second and third, respectively, in individual graphic design promotion contests.

"Every single one of the juniors took second place in their regional events, as well," LaRue said.

He expressed his pride in the students for their efforts.