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Students have something to say, and their high school newspapers remain a respected forum for adolescent issues. Not only do they report on the big game and what's new in the library, these papers keep students up to date on politics, current events, local news and more.

Students at Franklin Regional have been churning out award-winning papers for several years. Most recently, The Panther took second place overall -- behind Mt. Lebanon -- in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/Point Park University High School Journalism Contest. Staffers on the paper also received recognition: Caitlyn Hazelton, first place for editorial cartoons; Lisa Fabis, honorable mention for layout and design; and Brandon Osekowski, honorable mention for photography.

At the 2008 Pennsylvania Keystone Awards, sophomore photographer Kristen Swigart took first place for a news photo she took in a biology lab.

Honorable mentions also were given to 2007 graduate Brenna Bonfiglio, for her coverage of the Virginia Tech shootings of that spring, and to Ms. Hazelton, a 2008 grad, for her illustration, "Imprisoned seniors."

Franklin Regional's student publication wasn't the only one from the PG East region to be considered distinguished in the Point Park competition. Greater Latrobe won three awards: Angela Repko, first place, photography; Nicholas Baugh, first place, layout and design; and Tyler Baloh and Ryan LaDuke, honorable mention, sports article.

Megan Cunningham, of Yough, earned second place for editorial writing.

Putting out a quality student publication requires a large cooperative effort. At Franklin Regional, for example, the staff of 26 draws each month on ideas from all areas of news reporting.

"We sit in a big circle and say 'OK, what do you guys have?' " said Chelsea Bowman, a 2008 Franklin Regional graduate who was the editor-in-chief during the past school year. "We're taught that if the idea is bad, the paper is bad."

The last 11-page issue brought the school community up to date on spring activities such as the prom, Relay for Life and graduation events. There also was a two-page spread on wars in Iraq, Somalia and Uganda; an entertainment piece highlighting summer concerts; and two editorials, on the Barack Obama-Jeremiah Wright controversy and on a local church's spending.

"Usually, I try to let the kids figure out if it's not a good idea based on the ethics we've discussed," said Becky Magness, journalism teacher and newspaper adviser.

Stressing that accuracy is imperative, she said she tries to let the students "find their way" in developing articles.

Miss Bowman said the writing is excellent and makes The Panther successful.

"But because we're a school paper, it's the layout and photography that really draw the students in [to read the stories]," she said.

"We work in the paper here 24/7," added Miss Bowman, especially during layout time.

This past school year, for the first time, the students produced their work using Adobe's InDesign program, which is widely used in professional communication arenas.

The Franklin Regional school board budgets $5,000 to pay for the paper. According to Mrs. Magness, each issue costs about $900, and nine issues are produced a year.

"This year, we really had to raise our own money with advertising and some fund raising," she said.

Faculty sponsors at schools throughout Western Pennsylvania say their teenage staff members are often quick to jump on perceived injustices. The biggest challenge, the sponsors say, is making sure the junior journalists get all of the information on an issue before they go to print.

"It's such a melodramatic age and so much of their life is fueled by rumor," said Casey Henry, the faculty sponsor for Mt. Lebanon's The Devil's Advocate. "You really have to push them to get the other side."

Censorship also is a key issue. The state school code says that administrators can censor a student newspaper only if the publication could cause a significant disruption of the school day, said Wanda Pletcher, president of the Pennsylvania School Press Association.