UHS senior earns top journalism honor

Utica High School senior Kirsten Domsic has been named one of the state's top student journalists.

Domsic, editor in chief of the student newspaper Arrow, was selected to the 2013 All State Journalism staff by the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA). She will be honored at the organization’s annual conference April 15.

"Every newspaper adviser dreams of an editor-in-chief like Kirsten Domsic," UHS Student Publications Advisor Stacy Smale said. "Committed and passionate about her work on the Arrow newspaper, she keeps everything running smoothly from the time ideas are brainstormed until the paper is sent to press. While some chiefs shine in one area, Kirsten is a talented writer, designer, and leader."

Smale added: "Her passion also carries through not only in her attention to writing, but design as well. She’ll spend an hour tweaking elements of a page before publication, even if most people wouldn’t notice the difference; she knows it’s perfect, and that’s the difference she needs. Kirsten’s advanced eye for design has forced her to independently learn how to do many of the same techniques used in today’s professional publications. After mastering the ins-and-outs of InDesign and Photoshop, Kirsten has pushed herself to learn other programs, such as Illustrator. Kirsten is considered a "design expert" by her peers, and students who have taken classes in the program are often astounded by quick tips she gives them."

Selection for the special journalism staff was based on submission of a detailed portfolio, including: letters of recommendation, a resume, clips of work and a personal essay.