Watch the ceremony here
Auburn, Maine, U.S.A. – This year’s top honors in Youth Journalism International’s 2025 Excellence in Journalism contest were awarded Saturday to students and teachers from three countries.
Winners in this, the 16th annual contest, came from six continents. They represented 15 different nations and 14 U.S. states.
Taariq Ahmed, a senior at the University of Chicago Laboratory High School, won top honors as Student Journalist of the Year.
He said he has learned that “my voice is powerful” from his work on a range of tough issues, including a story about “toxic masculinity in the boys locker room at my school.”
“A hub for sexism and homophobia, the space represented a larger scene of discrimination across campus,” Ahmed said. “Breaking the silence on this through my story was no easy feat, especially when surrounded by stigma and silence, but I knew that the only way to change — or even start — the conversation was to bring the issue to the headlines.”
A teacher at The American School in London, Louisa Avery, captured the Journalism Educator of the Year award for overseeing a great program whose students touted her in stirring words.
Laila Taraporevala, for instance, called Avery “the most dedicated, enthusiastic, hardworking and caring journalism advisor. She has helped me and so many other people fall in love with journalism and inspired us to work our hardest and be resilient.”
The 16th annual contest sponsored by Youth Journalism International recognized some of the great work done by the world’s best young reporters, editors, photographers, artists and cartoonists in dozens of categories ranging from cartoons to sports photography.
The top winners in six categories, including Avery and Ahmed, will get engraved crystal trophies. Every winner will receive a custom-made certificate.
In the other trophy categories, Isabel Shen of the Head-Royce School in Oakland, California won the Frank Keegan Award for News, for her piece “Oakland grapples with guns.”
Ocean Hiller of the High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at City College, New York City took home the Jacinta Marie Bunnell Award for Commentary for a sterling piece titled, “I’m a Transgender Teen and I’m Tired of Being Used as a Political Pawn.”
Naomi Maloney of Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwich, Massachusetts, took home the First Amendment Award for her “Dec. Tech Talk Pulled” story about a controversial decision to yank a story from the school paper because its principal didn’t like a headline. The award is presented in partnership with the First Amendment Museum in Augusta, Maine.
The Special Award for Courage in Journalism went to Lina Marie Schulenkorf of Christliche Schule Dresden, Dresden, Germany, for a series of stories covering neo-Nazis in Dresden.
Contestants aged 19 and under submitted work published or broadcast in English during the calendar year 2024.
An international panel of about three dozen judges evaluated the hundreds of entries.
The nonprofit Youth Journalism International has been educating the next generation of news professionals since 1994. It is a 501(c)(3) educational public charity. Its website can be found at youthjournalism.org.
Here is the complete list of winners, with judges’ comments in italics for most categories:
STUDENT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Winner: Taariq Ahmed of the University of Chicago Laboratory High School, Chicago, Illinois
There are so many great young journalists that it’s always hard to pick one as the best. But Taariq Ahmed, who said he has “learned that my voice is powerful,” stood out this year. He’s done great work that he’s thought deeply about. Ahmed said he’s learned that what journalists do – what he has done – “may enact change far greater than my own growth as a writer.”
“I experienced this understanding while shining light on the issue of toxic masculinity in the boys locker room at my school. A hub for sexism and homophobia, the space represented a larger scene of discrimination across campus. Breaking the silence on this through my story was no easy feat, especially when surrounded by stigma and silence, but I knew that the only way to change—or even start—the conversation was to bring the issue to the headlines,” he wrote. His work helped people to focus on the issue instead of sweeping it under the rug.
Logan H. Aimone, his teacher, told us Ahmed “is eager to engage in and learn about complicated and difficult issues, putting what he learns into action.” He’s shown himself to be reliable, engaged and accurate – all critical qualities for a good journalist.
We hope he’ll keep striving for excellence.
Finalist: Isabel Shen of Head-Royce School, Oakland, California
JOURNALISM EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Winner: Louisa Avery of The American School in London, London, UK
Louisa Avery’s students are so fulsome in their praise for her that it’s a little hard to believe it’s all real. But we’re convinced.
Laila Taraporevala, for instance, called Avery “the most dedicated, enthusiastic, hardworking and caring journalism advisor. She has helped me and so many other people fall in love with journalism and inspired us to work our hardest and be resilient.”
Avery has more than tripled the number of journalism students at her school in just a few years and become one of those adored, unforgettable teachers in the process.
Eden Leavy said students in her program “are not simply cogs in a machine – we are a family that laughs, cries, celebrates and grows together. And it is Mrs. Avery’s ability to balance work and play that makes this possible.”
“Her classroom breaks down the hierarchies of high school and serves as a refuge for her staff,” said Anna Reznick. “Connections between grades and friend groups are formed, and advice beyond journalism is shared. While every one of her students may not follow a career in journalism, they will carry her lessons on sympathy and empowerment far beyond the walls of her classroom.”
We’re glad she’s real.
Finalist: Alexa Gutterman of Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, Bayside, New York
THE FRANK KEEGAN AWARD FOR NEWS
Winner: Isabel Shen of Head-Royce School, Oakland, California, for “Oakland grapples with guns.”
Isabel is reporting on a local issue of national import. She did a thorough job getting to an array of sources and asking most of the right questions. (The one question nobody asks self-proclaimed 2nd Amendment advocates is exactly which “well-regulated militia” they belong to. Also, talking to more victims and survivors’ families is always important. The more, the better. As one of their sources said, Oakland truly is a microcosm.
Finalists:
Samantha Esquivel of Matamoros, Mexico and Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, for “Marching together against femicide.”
Samantha Esquivel uses a local event to spotlight a global atrocity. We were making so much progress, and now it seems to be rolling back despite Mexico having elected a woman president. Insecure men who cannot deal with strong equal women are an ancient problem. One question Esquivel needs to ask is: Where are the real men we need to stand with women?
Yuhan Tsai of By The Students Experimental Education Program, Taipei, Taiwan, for “Taiwanese ‘Bluebirds’ protest Chinese influence in Parliament.”
A great story. Yuhan exposes the core questions of sovereignty and possible betrayal from within. Taiwan has been a beacon of hope in the world for decades, and keeping its people informed is critically important to sustaining that light.
Isabelle Ling of Carlmont High School, Belmont, California, for “Defying climate doomism.”
Isabelle showed excellent research and interview skills an important story that too often gets lost in the cacophony of the polarized sides. Yes, we need to inform in a way that communicates the urgency, but does not cause people to just give up and party on, dude! One of their sources being “really optimistic about people’s ability to understand complicated research” gives us hope. But … .
THE JACINTA MARIE BUNNELL AWARD FOR COMMENTARY
Winner: Ocean Hiller of the High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at City College, New York City, for “I’m a Transgender Teen and I’m Tired of Being Used as a Political Pawn.”
We are honored to recognize Ocean Hiller as the winner of the Jacinta Marie Bunnel Prize. His article gives voice to a crucial issue, especially in the times we live in, with a unique perspective that is both urgent and deeply personal. Ocean’s writing stands out not only for its powerful message but also for its strong sense of rhythm and style, making it a compelling and necessary read.
Finalists:
Gemma Christie, of The King’s School, Chester, England, for “Why didn’t we see the hateful racist attacks coming?”
Marium Zahra of the Young Women’s STEAM Research and Preparatory Academy, El Paso, Texas, for “I’m a Muslim High School Student. I Fear the New Bible-Infused Curriculum.”
Annamika Konkola West Linn High School, West Linn, Oregon, for “Want to learn a language? Picture books will help.”
COURAGE IN JOURNALISM
Winner: Lina Marie Schulenkorf of Christliche Schule Dresden, Dresden, Germany, for a series of stories covering neo-Nazis in Dresden.
The winner in this category should be Lina Marie. Two of her stories (“Dresden joins hands for peace,…” and “Neo-Nazis try to show strength…”) are truly an example of courage, as she herself was present at the events, took many interesting pictures and interviewed the participants of those protests. The stories embodied the history of Germany, past and present, and it was very brave of her to report on this. This is a deserved win.
FIRST AMENDMENT AWARD, GIVEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FIRST AMENDMENT MUSEUM
Winner: Naomi Maloney of Cape Cod Regional Vocational Technical High School, Harwich, Massachusetts, for “Dec Tech Talk Pulled.”
Maloney explored a troubling incident in which the school principal pulled issues of the school newspaper, ‘Tech Talk,’ because he didn’t like a headline that ran over a story about an intruder alert that scared some students. The headline –“I was waiting for a bullet to hit me” — repeated one of the student’s quotes.
Maloney’s story explained the controversy and included interviews with the principal, the paper’s advisor and others. It also cited student concerns about free speech.
While the incident itself remains troubling — from a journalistic standpoint, there was no reason to pull the issue — the story about what occurred demonstrated the paper’s fierce commitment to the First Amendment and helped students understand the controversy. It would have been easy to ignore what happened in subsequent issues, but Maloney’s story followed up on it and turned a problematic episode into a learning experience for everyone. It showed why we need a free press.
Finalist: Samantha Esquivel of Matamoros, Mexico, Simrah Khan of Urbana, Illinois, Lia Arnold of Canton, Connecticut and Courtney Mayore of Grand Prairie, Texas, for “School rules eclipse lessons on solar spectacle,” a story they reported and wrote for Youth Journalism International.
Their story about the ridiculous decision of school administrators in Texas to keep students cooped inside the building during a solar eclipse last year showed the contrast with other schools that used the event to create a memorable educational sight.
ENTERPRISE REPORTING BY AN INDIVIDUAL
First Place: Gemma Christie of The King’s School, Chester, England, for “Overwhelming support for Liverpool’s library after damage from riots” and “Why didn’t we see the hateful racist attacks coming?”
Very professionally written in an engaging and conversational tone. These two pieces would be at home in a large daily newspaper. In the first article, the reporter advanced the story by focusing on fundraising and charity efforts. A recap of the riot through the eyes of the citizen who mounted fundraising efforts for the library was a really effective way to provide background. Almost a perfect way to tell a follow-up story! The companion piece on disengagement from news and politics provided important and well-articulated perspective on how these types of incidents can happen in a modern society. Really well done!
Second Place: Lina Marie Schulenkorf of Christliche Schule Dresden, Dresden, Germany, for “Stumbling Stones honor victims of Nazi terror.”
Who would ever think that a Holocaust memorial could have so many angles? From fascinating superlatives (the world’s largest decentralized memorial) to controversies over stepping on the stones and potential profiteering by the artist, this piece is always interesting, never boring!
A comprehensive story on a topic that may not be well known, it makes me both feel like I am at one of the memorials and like I really want to go see a few samples. Great job!
ENTERPRISE REPORTING BY A TEAM
First Place: Lucas Allison, Lukas Newlin, Jordynn Kitson, Jayden Shupe, JJ Darrough, Arianah Bacon, Aubrey Keedy, Nadia Mondragon-Fraide and Olivia Pulleyof Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana,for “Decision 2024.”
A thoughtful and in-depth look at the many ways the election would impact young adults, as well as providing meaningful analysis and explainers to help educate their audiences and allow youth to make informed decisions in the 2024 election. Clearly a huge team effort, with creative layout and graphics as well. Bravo!
Second place: Helen Tam and Ella Chan of Homestead High School, Cupertino, California, for “FBLA officers learn to take leadership.”
An excellent piece of informative journalism, deftly utilizing quotes and background to help educate readers about an important part of their community leadership.
FEATURE WRITING BY AN INDIVIDUAL
First Place: Naomi Hsu of Carlmont High School, Belmont, California, for “The healing-centered approach.”
What an incredible piece of feature writing! The article shines a spotlight on the fundamental problem of the U.S. criminal justice and correctional systems being rooted in punishment instead of rehabilitation. There is an excellent breadth and use of research, which the writer seamlessly incorporates into the story. A hallmark of excellent reporting is the crafting of the story. Here, the writer explores the significant impact of art programs in correctional facilities through the eyes and personal journey of an inmate, which allows readers to witness first-hand the transformative and healing power of the arts in the rehabilitation of prisoners. This made for a heartwarming and poignant read, and we were left inspired and moved to find out how we can aid such programs. To this end, the writer helpfully provided a list of the organizations that support them. Congratulations!
Second Place: Jane Ripps of Clarke Central High School, Athens, Georgia, for “The unchanged narrative.”
Jane’s feature chronicles how the assault and murder of a young woman on a college campus poisoned the ability of local women to live without the fear of being victims. Using a variety of sources including law enforcement personnel, students with a variety of perspectives, school officials and published research, the author brings the problem home. Her sources were women of all ages who describe how it feels to walk in the dark feeling vulnerable. But men are also interviewed, which demonstrates the complexity of sexual harassment. The culture offers confusing notions about how to talk and act.
The article is written skillfully and goes beyond simply presenting an important issue; there are respondents who offer the possibly of solutions. They typically include classes to help women physically resist attacks, but educating males not to become toxic is a major priority. The major strength of this article is that it comes from the clear voice of someone who understands the issues. Good job!
Honorable Mention: Charlie Wallis-Martel of Maine Connections Academy, Lewiston, Maine, for “Learning how to dye eggs Ukrainian style.”
Here we have a feature that is truly educational: how to create art that is not only beautiful but is also part of the tapestry of a culture. Charlie guides us through the complex process of egg dying in a way that invites the reader to try this craft on her own. The crafting of pysanky (the dyed eggs) is explained by photos and text that show the mechanics of the process. Then we are introduced to the place of this work as a cultural emblem that is truly ancient (5000 BCE!) These eggs were used to ward off evil spirits as well as serving as a talisman representing the rebirth of the earth. In later times, the eggs were part of Christian tradition but the making of eggs remains unchanged. In light of the war afflicting contemporary Ukraine this feature is a refreshing moment. Excellent narrative!
FEATURE WRITING BY A TEAM
First Place: Jackson Sneeringer and Alessandra Tremulis of Carlmont High School, Cupertino, California, for “Hidden narratives: individual realities of student drug dealing.”
The journalists successfully navigated a sensitive topic – student drug dealing – while avoiding sensationalism and demonstrating respect for sources and subjects. They deftly explored local stories from their school and also presented broader statistics on drug use among adolescents in the U.S. We found this piece both interesting and informative.
Second Place: Magdalena Tokarczyk of Przysietnica; Poland, Anjola Fashawe of London, UK; Shiara Naveen of Sharon, Massachusetts; Annamika Konkola of West Linn, Oregon; Dana Kim of Portland, Oregon; Lina Marie Schulenkorf of Dresden, Germany; Sal Mamouni of Casablanca, Morocco; Naika Jean of Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Ahmed Elkhamisy of Mansoura, Egypt; Jana Salama of Sixth of October City, Egypt; Jessy Siegmann of Jericho, New York; Marit Nair of Perth, Australia; and Josephine Yein Lee of Seoul, South Korea, for their Youth Journalism International collaboration, “Celebrating women and girls worldwide.”
At best, human-interest stories provide insight and provoke thought – this compilation of reflections from around the globe did both. We loved vicariously journeying across the globe reading unique perspectives on the celebration of International Women’s Day. This piece humanized social issues that impact the plight of women and provided an intimate and heart-warming glimpse at how these student journalists perceive the important women in their lives.
Honorable Mentions:
Isabelle Ling and Kiana Chen of Carlmont High School, Belmont, California, for“Local elections: SUHSD board election holds power to drive change.”
Mackie Vu and Aashka Nagarkar of Homestead High School, Cupertino, California, for “Nailing self expression into student-run businesses.”
Ruby Rogers and Oskar Deopke of the American School in London, London, UK for “Pulling the strings: Parental involvement in school impacts educational independence.”
Lucas Allison, Jayden Shupe, Christian Watkis, Arianah Bacon, Lukas Newlin, Aubrey Keedy, Tumise Sokoya, JJ Darrough and Amaru Gomez of Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana, for “Journey through the decades.”
Emlyn McKinney and Wyatt Meyer of Clarke Central High School, Athens, Georgia, for “The weight of the scale.”
IN-DEPTH REPORTING BY AN INDIVIDUAL
First place: Wyatt Meyer of Clarke Central High School, Athens, Georgia, for “After Apalachee.”
Wyatt “After Apalachee” story looking into the shooting at Apalachee High School does not only attract the reader but also keeps them glued until the very end. The National Gun Violence Archive says the Palace shooting became Georgia’s deadliest on record. By speaking to eyewitnesses, Wyatt tells an emotional story, one that was able to capture the extent of devastation caused by the shooting. Also, Wyatt’s ability to take the readers by the hand to the scene of the shooting makes this youth an exceptional writer. You could tell how traumatic it was for the students. She spoke to different sources, including teachers, students, both old and current, mental health counselors in the school who spoke about the extent of impact the shooting had on the students and how that is being handled. She also talked about the mental health struggles of students in the school and the need for more investment. Her choice of words are also easy for readers to understand.
Second place: Emi Pajarillo of Carlmont High School, Belmont, California, for “The death dilemma.”
Emi’s article on the question of whether physicians should make efforts to save a patient’s life or let them die peacefully is eye-opening, particularly for readers who have not come across the subject matter of physician-assisted death and euthanasia. The opening paragraph of the article creates a mental image that makes you want to read everything. We liked how the author was able to explain complex medical terms in ways that make it easy for the reader to understand.
Emi’s ability to speak to physicians and have them share insights on the subject matter is enthralling. The use of data for storytelling, presented with infographics, makes it easier for readers to understand the subject. The writer did justice to this by referencing relevant studies and other publications, with data.
IN DEPTH REPORTING BY A TEAM
First Place: Sophia Bateman and Oskar Doepke of the American School in London, London, UK, for “Following the Funds: An inside look into the High School’s finances.”
This piece is strong because it clearly explains a complicated topic — the school’s finances — in a way that anyone can understand. The reporters did a great job talking to lots of people in charge, like the head of school, teachers, and budget managers, to give readers a complete picture of the problem. They also used specific examples, like cutting pizza at events, to show exactly how spending changes affect students. All of these details help readers see why the school’s money issues matter and what the school is doing to fix them, making the article interesting and easy to follow.
Second Place: Sophia Bateman and Anna Reznick of the American School in London, London, UK, for “Shadowed by sexism: How gender inequality manifests in school community.”
This piece stands out because it bravely tackles the tough issue of sexism at the school by giving students and teachers a voice to share their real experiences. The reporters collected powerful stories, like students facing hurtful comments or feeling silenced in class, which makes readers understand the seriousness of the issue. By using survey data, personal anecdotes, and quotes from both boys and girls, the article gives a balanced and clear look at how sexism affects everyone in the school community. The thoughtful discussion about why sexism continues to exist, how it impacts students, and what might be done to change things makes it a meaningful and important piece of journalism.
Honorable Mention: Sanchan Khanuja, Jane Roy and Mason Heller of Kirkwood High School, Kirkwood, Missouri, for “In-Depth: Drug Abuse”
This story offers an interesting, multidimensional exploration of the impacts of drug use, effectively using quotes and a visually engaging layout. However, the story could benefit from better organization. A clearer central finding or main message would have given it more direction and purpose. As it stands, the narrative provides compelling details and emotional perspectives but primarily conveys the general idea that drug abuse is harmful and widely damaging, rather than offering a distinct or deeper insight.
NEWS WRITING BY AN INDIVIDUAL
First Place: Jason Torres of Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, Bayside, New York, for”Staff Stand By Accountability Measures of ‘No Go List’ Despite Student Outrage.”
“This piece got across a complicated issue and explored it from all sides. Well sourced, thoroughly reported, clearly written.”
Second Place: Samantha Esquivel of Matamoros, Mexico and Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, for “Marching Together Against Femicide.”
Esquivel takes the reader on an on-the-ground exploration of a Mexican social movement in the form of a spot news story. Plenty of color, good story structure and enough context for anyone outside the culture to understand. Not an easy thing to do.
NEWS WRITING BY A TEAM
First place: Samantha Esquivel of Matamoros, Mexico, Simrah Khan of Urbana, Illinois, Lia Arnold of Canton, Connecticut and Courtney Mayore of Grand Prairie, Texas, for “School rules eclipse lessons on solar spectacle,” a story they reported and wrote for Youth Journalism International.
The writers did a fine job explaining how a school did not allow the students to observe solar eclipse, depriving them of a “a once in a lifetime experience,” while others, even in the same state, enjoyed the “neat communal moment.” A perfect example of collaborative teamwork.
Honorable mention:
Kiana Chen and Isabelle Ling of Carlmont High School, Belmont, California, for “Gov. Gavin Newsom chops college legacy admissions with new bill.”
A significant report highlighting the end of legacy admissions, which some argue to be elitist and unfair.
Vincent Douglas and Dani Lainez of Archbishop Riordan High School, San Francisco, California, for “Breed faces four challengers for SF mayor.”
We found this piece interesting after reading about homelessness and inequalities in San Francisco, something for which a mayor could be accountable and responsible. The debate must continue.
MULTI-MEDIA NEWS REPORTING BY AN INDIVIDUAL
First Place: Noah Haynes, of European School, Copenhagen, Denmark, for “Copenhagen locals lament Børsen loss.”
Noah went to the scene of a terrible fire that ravaged Børsen, the city’s 400-year-old landmark. He reported from the scene as the fire burned and interviewed bystanders. A fine breaking news story. Well done!
Second Place: Madilyn Shoop-Gardner of Carlmont High School, Belmont, California, for “Thursday Night Lights illuminates San Carlos small businesses with holiday spirit.”
Madilyn ventured out to a local holiday event and interviewed shopkeepers about the benefits they felt. We especially enjoyed the opening clip of the carolers that set a festive mood.
MULTI-MEDIA NEWS REPORTING BY A TEAM
First Place: Jonas Walker, Jr., Maddox Hinton and Marcus Turner, Jr. of Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana, for “No Rewinding.”
The reporting team did a good job sensitively interviewing the mother of a student who died in gun violence and getting expert opinions, too.
MULTIMEDIA FEATURE REPORTING BY AN INDIVIDUAL
First Place: Sophia Bateman of the American School in London, London, UK, for “Grade 12 students recount experiences as first-time voters”
Bateman’s podcast takes the listener on an engaging exploration of first-time voters’ experiences, made even more interesting by the fact that both featured voters cast their ballots from abroad (London). This added a unique perspective to the discussion of navigating the voting process outside the US. Bateman proved to be an excellent host, asking relevant questions that guided the conversation and delved into crucial topics such as motivation, the significance of voting and identifying reliable news sources during the election.
Bateman’s podcast is an engaging exploration of first-time voters’ experiences, made even more interesting by the fact that both featured voters cast their ballots from abroad (London). This added a unique perspective to the discussion of navigating the voting process outside the US. Bateman proved to be an excellent host, asking insightful questions that guided the conversation and delved into crucial topics such as motivation, the significance of voting, and identifying reliable news sources during the election.
Second Place: Noah Haynes of the European School Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark, for Noah Haynes’ “A look at homelessness in Copenhagen”
Haynes’ video sheds light on an issue that rarely makes the headlines when we think about Copenhagen: homelessness. While Denmark and Copenhagen are often associated with high quality of life, robust social welfare and high social trust, the video uses impactful visuals and interviews to highlight the reality of homelessness in the city of Copenhagen. An interview with Kjartan Emhjellen from the Sand Homeless Organisation provides valuable insights into the problem, including the shocking fact that he/they incurred €100,000 in metro fines simply for being homeless.
Honorable Mention: Noah Haynes of the European School Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark, for “Enjoy this sparkly sweet Danish Christmas.”
Haynes has fantastic presentation skills and his piece to camera was excellent. It was great to watch him tasting the pancakes and share his thoughts afterwards.
MULTI MEDIA FEATURE REPORTING BY A TEAM
First Place: Kiana Chen, Elaine Jiang, Isabelle Ling, Isabella Zarzar and Franklin Kuo of Carlmont High School, Belmont, California, for “Middle ground: Reconciling free speech and university response to pro-Palestinian protests.”
This report won because of its exceptional depth in exploring a complex and heart-rending issue, the war in Gaza. It’s one of the most significant geopolitical crises of our time, and covering it in the face of administrative retaliation is a test of courage.
This entry also focused on young people’s lived experience, confronting the tension they face as frontline participants in shaping the discourse around this lingering conflict.
On a content level, the winning entry embraced the tenets of journalism—fairness and balance, clear writing, and depth of research. Its use of multimedia—video interviews, embedded data visualization, brilliant photographs, and audio clips—is exceptional and deepens readers’ understanding of the issue.
Second Place: Zoe Karibian, Ruby Rogers and Inez Stephenson of the American School in London, London, UK, for “Inside the creation of ‘Puffs:’ Advanced Acting class share their journey.”
This entry reflects an excellent collaboration between the journalists and the performers. On the surface, the feature documents a school play, but in execution, it’s compelling and shows the entire team’s creativity, teamwork, and personal growth.
The multimedia storytelling is brilliant with beautifully edited cuts, b-roll footage, crisp audio, and well-framed interviews that build a narrative arc showing the cast’s journey from preparation to performance.
This entry also focuses on why art reporting is important, especially in a world of hard news and fast-paced breaking news. This feature celebrates culture, documents memory, and reminds us of the joy and effort that comes with simple creation as this. Kudos to the students.
Honorable Mention:
Ayana Ganjoo, Daniela Cuadros, Linda Reeder, Jessica Li, Nathan Turbeaugh of Carlmont High School, Belmont, California, for “Community in Harmony: Celebrate the Music 2024.”
This entry highlights the importance of a community music event, conveying the unifying power of music with its effective use of immersive multimedia storytelling. The title, Community in Harmony, sells the entry as a community-minded report that connects people, spotlights joy, and gives readers a reason to smile. The team did an amazing job crafting an experience rather than just another community report, making this entry stand out as an honorable mention.
Sophia Bateman and Jaden Gardiola of the American School in London, London, UK for “Late Cafe spotlights student creativity, talent.”
This entry is an example of how to use journalism effectively, capture real emotion, and highlight student life in an uplifting and visually compelling way. It not only entertains but strengthens a school’s sense of community. Sopia and Jaden should be proud as they both exhibit technical prowess and understanding of narration, which suggests real potential in future broadcasting. I’ll surely watch out for them!
Keyaisha Sandifer and Temesgen Girum of Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana, for “Tell Them.”
This entry leans into spoken word, emotionally narrative voice, and pop culture and deploys American Rapper Kendrick Lamar’s song. It delivers emotional truth about depression, trauma, resilience, and suicide in the United States with minimal tools and fulfills its purpose: to move, awaken, and challenge. Keyaisha and Temesgen created something that deserves to be seen and heard – not just because it’s student work, but because it’s real, and it matters.
Michael Yi, Will Griffith, Caroline Martucci, Alex Sanja, Mason Sanja, and Ben Bagby of Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas, for “Driven to Compete.”
This entry is a photo-driven narrative that succeeds in using imagery as its primary storytelling vehicle, with an excellent caption that grounds viewers and conveys meaning. By focusing on student experience, the team elevates the topic from a sports gallery to a portrait of ambition, perseverance, and self-worth, earning them an honorable mention.
PROFILE WRITING
First Place: Chelsea Zhu of Richard Montgomery High School, in Rockville, Marland, for “Uncovering history: The Sandy Spring Slave Museum.”
Chelsea took an interesting and horrifying / creepy subject and gave the permission for exploration – she wrote about it in such a way that the family of one of the judges is actually planning a trip to the Sandy Spring Slave Museum!
Second place: Yaretzy Lopez of Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana, for “A homegrown news talent.”
Yaretzy took a subject (local talent goes big) that could have been hum-drum and made it come alive in an inspiring way.
Honorable Mention: Lila Ackerman of New Paltz High School, New Paltz, New York, for “Anna Goodman Discovers a Passion in Science Research.”
Quirky yet sympathetic writing.
PROFILE WRITING BY A TEAM
First Place: Danielle Feldsher and Kevin Miao of Homestead High School, Cupertino, California, for “I will carry these memories with me forever.”
The reporters showed why their high school will miss its principal, who moved on to a district position.
TECH JOURNALISM
First place: Sierra Elman of The Nueva School, San Mateo, California, for “The Future of Poetry: Is AI Smarter Than an 8th Grader?
A fascinating premise. The writer’s creative approach to the topic, the elaborate experiment she conducted and her clear writing are very impressive.
Honorable mention:
Lucas Santos of Cape Cod Regional Technical Vocational High School, Harwich, Massachusetts, for “Is it time for TikTok to go?”
The writer explored an event in the national news in an interesting way and made it relevant for his audience by connecting it to the experiences of local students and teachers. Well done!
Kirianna Finn of Cape Cod Regional Technical Vocational High School, Harwich, Massachusetts, for “Potential and Pitfalls.”
The writer did a great job of using a wide variety of quotes to offer an interesting and balanced look into the benefits and dangers of social media.
TRAVEL WRITING BY AN INDIVIDUAL
First Place: Annamika Konkola, West Linn High School, West Linn, Oregon, for “A new school offers a chance to define yourself, your way.”
Wow! This piece blew me away. It was thought provoking for both youth and adults. The photography was appreciated as well. Go read it now!
Second Place: Ahmed Elkhamisy, of Alzahraa Language School, Mansoura, Egypt, for “For luxury, head to Dubai.”
This is a succinct summary for readers who plan to travel to Dubai.
Honorable mention:
Madison Westover of Cape Cod Regional Technical Vocational High School, Harwich, Massachusetts, for “European Trip Offers Lessons in Life.”
It would have been nice to see some photos from this writer.
Grace Skinner of Cape Cod Regional Technical Vocational High School, Harwich, Massachusetts, for “Travel Club Offers World of Possibilities.”
It would have been nice to see some photos from this writer.
TRAVEL WRITING BY A TEAM
First Place: Anjola Fashawe of London, Cassiane Saraiva of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Samantha Esquivel of Matamoros, Mexico; Anya Farooqui of Karachi, Pakistan; Gemma Christie of Chester, UK; Damian Nam of Seoul, South Korea; Norah Springborn of Illinois, U.S. and Sreehitha Gandluri of Maryland, U.S. for their collaboration “Memorable Mexico” for Youth Journalism International.
Together, these young writers delivered the sights, sounds and tastes of Mexico City, along with thoughtful insights and commentary about the country, its art, historic treasures and generous people. The next best thing to an actual visit!
COLUMNS
First Place: Annamika Konkola of West Linn High School, West Linn, Oregon, for “Curiosity and wonder are the roots of learning.”
Konkola has a beautiful voice here and uses that to lyrically translate her experience into broader advice. What really stands out is the grace with which the author recognizes negative mental states and uses learning and curiosity as a way to ground herself and appreciate the world. Taking this a step further by specifically gearing the piece to help others who may feel lost or in need of inspiration is one of many ways this piece shines.
Second Place: Grace Volz of Kirkwood High School, Kirkwood, Missouri, for “Blocking our Education.”
The way Volz interweaves different approaches in an opinion piece is impressive. She does a stunning job of addressing the current issue of online censorship, dissecting it with historical context, including administrative considerations, and illustrating how it disrupts both students and teachers. This piece carries a researched and authoritative voice, presenting potential impacts while also imparting the author’s concerns.
EDITORIALS
First Place: The Harbinger, Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas for “A Digital Shield.”
Timely and audience-friendly, the editorial tackles an important topic rooted in reporting and research. The piece covers all angles and then offers solutions. An exemplary editorial, scholastic or professional.
Second Place: The Epitaph, Homestead High School, Cupertino, California, for “HHS must address Israel-Hamas War’s impact on students.”
Heavy topic handled with responsible reporting and writing. Fair, balanced and professionally done.
Honorable Mention:
Scot Scoop, Carlmont High School, Belmont, California, for “Students need to stop exploiting their trauma in college applications.”
Unique take on a common student experience, offering a fresh perspective and solutions.
The Crusader, Archbishop Riordan High School, San Francisco, California, for “City needs real solutions to solve real issues of homelessness.”
Excellent data, statistics and research supporting the stance.
Tech Talk, Cape Cod Regional Technical Vocational High School, Harwich, Massachusetts, for “Free Speech and Schools.”
Strong stroll through press freedom law cases.
The Epitaph, Homestead High School, Cupertino, California, for “Policies must represent LGBTQ+ voices.”
This piece is phenomenal in the way it presents the paper’s united front of standing up for the LGBTQ+ community. It highlights a local transgression against the LGBTQ+ people and very importantly discusses the harmful messages this action sends to the community at large. It is a crucial matter expertly written.
FIRST PERSON ESSAY
First Place: Annamika Konkola of West Linn High School, West Linn, Oregon, for “Cherry blossoms remind us of history and life’s beautiful, complex moments.”
Beautiful and thought-provoking prose. We loved how the author wove together the personal with the historical, as well as the sensory detail.
Second Place: Josephine Yein Lee of Chadwick International School, Incheon, South Korea, for “South Korean education is stress on steroids.”
Engaging voice. We liked how this author used her particular experience to assess different cultural attitudes to learning, as well as her vivid, descriptive sentences.
Honorable Mention:
Naika Jean of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, for “Haiti’s gang violence leaves her powerless and afraid.”
Informative and vulnerable. We loved how this author used her personal experience to illuminate the realities of living in Haiti under the current political crisis.
Malar Raguraman of Homestead High School, Cupertino, California, for “POV: A love letter to poetry.”
A compelling voice and descriptive writing.
Amanda Boles of Homestead High School, Cupertino, California, for “When does comedy become cruelty?”
Thoughtful and timely perspective on the nuances of humor and cruelty.
OPINION WRITING
First Place: Kiana Chen, Carlmont High School, Belmont, California, for “California needs to prioritize rehabilitation in its prisons.”
This was exceptionally well-written and sourced. Kiana did a great job weaving in sources with the writing so that it was seamless. There was a clear opinion set forth, and the writing was very persuasive. Well-crafted, well-sourced, and well-done.
Honorable Mention: Seya Sawiris of the American School in London, London, UK, for “One size fits (sm)all: Brandy Melville’s sizing taints consumers’ self-image.”
Seya did a solid job. This was quite well-written. The writer did a nice job of writing from the first-person perspective as well.
OPINION WRITING BY A TEAM
First Place: Laura Kohli and Elise Kohli of Enlowe Magnet High School, Raleigh, North Carolina, for “Gay Pop: How Queer Performance has Made its way into the Mainstream.”
The beauty of opinion writing is that it need not be entirely subjective: it may offer a factual background to contemporary matters, grounded within the writer’s milieu. The authors do this seamlessly and with superb insight into the contemporary world of music and entertainment.
Honorable Mention: Aarav Agrawal and Hoorain Farooq of Archbishop Riordan High School, San Francisco, California, for “Students ring in with opinions on bell schedule.”
A succinct, well-rounded view of a matter of clear importance to the intended readership.
GENERAL REVIEWS
First Place: Samantha Esquivel ofof Matamoros, Mexico and Northwestern Universityfor “For a delicious bite of Mexican history, try Chiles en Nogada.”
Samantha Esquivel’s review blends reporting, observation, and insights with elegant writing, offering a clear and engaging structure. It explores a traditional Mexican dish through layers of ingredients, appearance, taste, history, and the writer’s cultural connection with the food. Comprehensive yet engaging, the article maintains readers’ interest throughout.
Second Place: Inez Stephenson of The American School in London, London, UK, for “’I present to you, Slawn’ exhibition portrays evolving art scene, questions norms.”
This is a thoughtful art review with a clear angle. We believe the writer found this angle because of her in-depth insights into the “perplexing” art world. The essay centers on the uniqueness of the artist Olaolu Akeredolu-Ale Slawn, and raises a thought-provoking question: What makes art appealing and sellable, and who can define amazing art? It goes beyond a standard exhibition review, offering deeper analysis. Additionally, the writer effectively incorporates various sources, such as the artist’s social media and past interviews, to enrich the article.
Honorable Mention: Lander Bovenzi of Stuyvesant High School, New York, New York, for “Ukraine Fashion Week Returns.”
It’s important for a high school reporter to look at the corners of the world affected by war and to write about both the hope and trauma Ukraine is experiencing. The review includes heart-wrenching details, such as veterans walking on stage with prosthetic limbs and a model with his forehead and palm wrapped in white bandages. To make the article more focused, the writer should more carefully select the shows they want to present in the article and highlight the central theme they want to convey.
MUSIC REVIEWS
First place: Dana Kim, of St. Mary’s Academy, Portland, Oregon, for “Laufey’s ‘bewitching’ new take on love.”
The descriptions of the music’s mood, lyrical themes, and instrumentation feel like the work of a professional critic. Pointing out the positives and the negatives of the songs, using clear language, makes these takes feel authoritative.
Honorable mention:
Sachin Chandran of Homestead High School, Cupertino, California, for “‘GNX’ races to be the best album of the year.”
The attention devoted to the album’s guest artists gives this review an interesting angle. When reviewing an extremely high-profile new album, it’s always a good idea to try to write the review that most critics will not write by default.
THEATER AND FILM REVIEWS
First Place: Annamika Konkola of West Linn High School, West Linn, Oregon, for “New film examines aging and homelessness.”
Brava to Annamika for her beautiful and insightful critique of ‘No Place to Grow Old.’ She seemed deeply affected by the film, and her persuasive writing was deeply affecting to this reader. By eschewing the latest Hollywood blockbuster for a limited-release independent documentary with a very local connection, Annamika does a tremendous service to the filmmakers and the unsheltered individuals that are the focus of the movie. It is clear that ‘No Place…’ is making her see her hometown anew. Hopefully her review will draw audiences to see the people who live and struggle in our own communities, hidden in plain sight.
Second Place: Gemma Christie of The King’s School, Chester, in Cheshire, UK, for “Film Frida too focused on her husband, not enough on her life.”
We truly enjoyed Gemma’s desire to revisit the 2002 bio-drama on Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera on the heels of her recent and clearly impactful visit to the couple’s house museum in Mexico City. The way the author adroitly interweaves her personal experience, the historical narrative from the museum, and the film’s pluses and minuses, makes for a compelling read. We would have liked a little more information on the artists who made the film, not just the ones portrayed in the movie. Small complaint aside, it is a very well done analysis by Gemma with visual assists from photographers.
Honorable Mention:
Magdalena Tocarczyk for Przysietnica, Poland, for “The Peasants packs a long, 19th century story into a lush film.”
We had never heard of this film or the lengthy novel that inspired it, but Magdalena’s thoughtful and positive review made me want to make the effort … to watch the film, not read the 900-page tome. The most significant shortcoming of the review is not including any of the particulars on the actors and artisans who helped contribute to the success of ‘The Peasants,’ beyond its celebrated directors who are highlighted extensively. We get the sense Magdalena may have read the book on which the film is based, to which we say, “Go, Magdalena!”
Sophia Bateman, Yasmine Rivera, Zoe Karibian of The Standard at The American School in London, London, UK for three reviews.
This is a first for me awarding an Honorable Mention to three writers from the same publication. Sophia, Yasmine and Zoe all wrote very thoughtful, impassioned reviews that showed they put an incredible amount of thought into each of their pieces. I had some reservations with each review, but at the same time I thought it spoke to The Standard’s high quality of journalism. Hence, my first group Honorable Mention. If any of the individual writers want to know what my particular issue was with their review, they can fly me over to London and we can discuss it over a Toad in the Hole.
FEATURE PHOTOS
First place: Paola Chavez of Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana, for “Prom King.”
Great timing and angle!
Second place: Stephanie Phillips of Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana, for “What a legacy.”
Great environmental portrait and symmetrical composition.
Honorable mention: Faith Oluwamuyemi of Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana, for “Happy Times.”
Great moment and emotions.
NEWS PHOTOS
First place: Nicolo Vincenzo Malvestuto of Tbilisi, Georgia and the University of Milan, Italy for “Georgian people protest their government’s pro-Russia actions.”
Nicolo took such risks got so close, was out at night and in danger. That’s such a real photo news journalist, you can tell the desire to record what was happening is there, and that the talent is there as well as the subject matter. These photos told a clear story and were taken from within the event itself, seemingly not from a place of safety. What is shared here is not only important and historic, it’s raw, real and riveting.
But on top of the drama and realness of the scene, they are still composed well, the lighting in the dark scene does not obscure the image, and it’s so well-done technically. These images bring the viewer into the scene, and they capture and leave their mark on the memory. The message of desperation and the intensity of the situation is clear. It educates, and it shows a clear empathy for the subject and appreciation and mastery of the medium itself. Excellent work.
Second place: Samantha Esquivel of Matamoros, Mexico and Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois for “Marching together against femicide.”
The images tell such a clear story in this news piece. Even without the very important text accompanying, the energy and intent of the subjects is clear to the viewer. The look in the eyes of the young woman, what she has written on her body and the intensity and conviction of her look all makes the image very memorable and striking. It draws the viewer in to read more and learn why, and that’s the point of a news image in many ways, to capture the viewers’ attention long enough for them to learn something important. The other images have a good progression of telling the story of the event, and sharing the setting and numbers. Great job.
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
First Place: Will Griffith of Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas, for “Laying it All On the Line.”
The expression caught on the goalie’s face pushed this entry to first place.
Second Place: Alex Sajna of Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas, for “Airborne Action.”
Very good. The image of the runner leaping over the defender shows that the photographer was paying attention to the full play.
Honorable Mention: Addie Clark of Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas, for “Holding on Tight.”
The photographer caught the diver in a good pose. Good work.
PHOTO ESSAY, BY AN INDIVIDUAL
First Place: Isabel Shen of Head-Royce School, Oakland, California, for “ A visit to Osaka and Kyoto.” https://youthjournalism.org/a-visit-to-osaka-and-kyoto/
A visually rich glimpse into Osaka and Kyoto, Isabel’s essay invites viewers to experience these beloved cities both day and night. The delight is in the details like a fish market, a holy place, and the nightlife. Through these well executed images, we better understand life in Osaka and Kyoto
Second Place: Caroline Martucci of Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas, for “STUCO Bonding.”
Strong images showing the benefits of working together.
Honorable Mention:
Bean Fain of Cape Cod Regional Vocational Technical High School, Harwich, Massachusetts, for “Fashion Show.”
Caroline Martucci of Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas, for “Leading Women.”
Annamika Konkola of West Linn High School, West Linn, Oregon, for “Contemplating nature in a volcanic crater.”
Riley Scott of Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas, for “Cutting the Ice.”
PHOTO ESSAY, BY A TEAM
First Place: Elly Zhang and Keith Luo of Bellaire High School, Bellaire, Texas, for
eMotion Fall Show: ‘Metamorphosis’
Beautiful images, motion capture and lighting is spectacular. Often a photographer is waiting for that precise moment when time stands still. Elly and Keith succeeded brilliantly!
Second Place: Sean Reyes and Taylor Tran of Archbishop Riordan High School, San Francisco, California, for Graduation 2024: The Celebration
Graduation, a coming of age and celebration of both achievement and a bight future. These images captured all the joy using both good composition and excellent timing.
SPORTS FEATURE STORY
First place: Wyatt Meyer of Clarke Central High School, Athens, Georgia, for “The Impossible Dream.”
Tough to read this without getting what the late Percy Eberhart meant to Clarke Central High School more than 30 years ago. Wyatt gets the hoop star’s coach and former teammates to recall the local legend, while also eliciting perspective from the Gladiators’ current coach and top player. And that’s all after the lede features Eberhart’s mom explaining that her son nearly achieved his dream of playing against Shaquile O’Neal: “Right before he died, he was scheduled to go to Texas and try out with … Shaquille … but he never did make it there.” Perhaps even better than the text is the layout featuring a photo of Eberhart’s mother pointing to her son in a painting of him dunking, and a black-and-white photo from a 1992 game. Good luck to Wyatt, now Editor-in Chief of the Odyssey Media Group, whose web site says he, “hopes to further his abilities as a journalist and tell stories valuable to the community.”
Second place: Xochitl Churchill of Archbishop Riordan High School, for Riley riles up fans in Muay Thai ring.”
Xochitl turns a blow-by-blow match report into a martial arts and fighter feature. The descriptive lede sets the combative tone: “Riley Robertson ’24 stepped into the ring with determination, chin tucked and red-gloved fists up.” The bout is described sufficiently without getting bogged down in detail while providing history of the sport itself. And Robertson evolves into a character to empathize, concluding with him saying, “You have to put your ego aside and show humility so you can properly respect your opponent … It’s not about whether I win or lose, but whether I win or lose with grace.”
Honorable mention: Jayla Bailey of Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana, for “What a legacy.”
Perhaps the accompanying photo was used as inspiration for the piece? Great idea to have the subject – strength & conditioning coach Kevin Vanderbush – dressed in black on a bench in the weight room, his fingers proudly showing off the rings from most of the team championships Ben Davis High School won during his 40-year tenure. Rather than a mushy send off to a long-time staffer, Jayla provides sort of a state-of-the-program/Vanderbush life, from BDHS becoming the model for other schools, to the coach kyaking off into retirement.
SPORTS NEWS STORY
First Place: Ada Lillie Worthington of Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas, for “In the Green.”
The easy-to-read graphics that were included in the story were simple to digest while also insightful. The setup to the story was really well done because it brought the reader right onto that golf course at that very moment. A picture was painted through your writing.
The closing part of the story followed nicely from the rest of the writing by shaping what’s ahead and what’s next for a person the reader is now invested in, thanks to your strong writing.
Excellent descriptive details ranging from the exact the music the team was jamming to the player’s Starbucks order. Consider explaining to the reader about why it wasn’t a penalty to record the wrong score. How is this different from other competitive golf where if you get your own score wrong you are penalized?
Second Place: Lia Arnold of The Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut, for “At 45, ESPN looks to the future.”
We loved the variety of pictures used to help tell your story. The visuals brought the reader inside that room, including one showing you asking a question. It helped bring more detail to the setting. Lia’s use of quotes was strong. They flowed extremely well because of the way you set them up and fit them into your narrative. Other standout parts included the graph where you clearly summarized the goal of Media Day for the reader and the concluding paragraph that effectively summarized what you learned.
Honorable Mention:
Kaia Burris of Archbishop Riordan High School, San Francisco, California, for “First year, first banner for flag football.”
Kaia did a nice job quoting the coach and multiple players and using them to lay out the narrative. The really strong closing quote put a bow on the story. We would have liked to learn more about any challenging moments the team may have faced and also about how and why they decided to launch this program in their first season. What factors led to them starting this program and how did they get so good immediately?
Raj Chamria of The American School in London, London, UK, for “Community shares takeaway from 2024 Paris Olympics.”
Strong visual with the moving graph to show the changing medals totals by day. We liked how you not only looked back; you also looked ahead to LA and gave pointers from those who attended in Paris about what to look forward to next time around.
Good use of injecting facts into the story such as world records broken and new sports coming to the next Olympics. We would have liked to get some explanation and/or backstory about how and why they all attended the Olympics.
Logan Simpson of Ritenour High School, St. Louis, Missouri, for “A historic win foreshadows a successful season.”
The lede set the right tone for the rest of the story and we really liked “sent shockwaves,” a phrase that immediately gave the reader insight into the gravity of the win. Documenting the Athletic Director’s history as a former coach (the last time they beat their rival) was a nice touch. Consider breaking up the longer quotes. The reader is left wondering what’s ahead this year in terms of possibilities and big games. What does achievement look like in the rest of the season?
SPORTS NEWS STORY BY A TEAM
First Place: Makena Hannam and Aleeya Johnson of Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, Bayside, New York, for “Kicking Goals: Meet the Future of Girls’ Soccer at Cardozo.”
A good introduction to many aspects of a team and the personalities involved.
MULTIMEDIA SPORTS STORY BY AN INDIVIDUAL
First Place: Brian Ling of Homestead High School, Cupertino, California, for “Track members discuss why they enjoy the sport.”
Great work! Brianeffectively uses captions and photographs to tell this story, offering us the chance to learn more about why the track members enjoy the sport.
MULTIMEDIA SPORTS TEAM REPORTING
First Place: Parth Dhaulakhandi, Kevin Miao and Adam Orrin of Homestead High School, Cupertino, California, for “KAP Does Track: Running Events.”
The KAP crew’s video about their failed running attempt takes a lighthearted look at the serious sport of sprinting. While sprinting may seem easy to an outsider, the video highlights the difficulty of track events, leaving viewers with the message: “Track is a lot harder than we give them credit for.” Adam’s dynamic commentary added more entertainment value to the video.
Second Place: Ella Chan, Jason Lai, Olivia Levesque Ouellette and Ethan Xue of Homestead High School, Cupertino, California, for “Highlights from JV and varsity boys water polo season.”
The exciting atmosphere of the water polo game was heightened by the music, captions for actions like “pass,” “block” and “score,” the referee’s whistling and the cheering crowd. It would have been even better to include the final score or announce the winner using captions.
SPORTS OPINION
First Place: Randy Lewis of Ritenour High School, St. Louis, Missouri, for “Nepotism causes debate in the NBA.”
Randy does a nice job mixing the important facts with his opinion to create an easy to follow piece.
Second Place: Nicholas Copeland of Kirkwood High School, Kirkwood, Missouri, for “Yes [-100] or No [+100]”
Nicholas provides good detail on the ups and downs of the gambling issue in Missouri. Please also congratulate the artist for clever packaging.
CARTOONS
First Place: Avery Foster of Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas.
Ambitious, high productivity, enthusiasm to find new topics/
Second Place: Elijah Powers of Ritenour High School, St. Louis, Missouri, for “AI art.”
Concise and strong grasp of powerful imagery to convey direct message.
ILLUSTRATIONS
First Place: Isabel Shen of Head-Royce School, Oakland, California, for “Can Haiti trust the foreign police to help quell gang violence?”
Second Place: Isabel Shen of Head-Royce School, Oakland, California, for “Heat wave in a packet – Denmark bans fiery noodles
Congratulations to Isabel, who only came in 2nd to herself! It was hard for us to choose between which illustration should be 1st and 2nd place, but the Haiti image was more of a heavy, emotional impact, while the spicy packet one actually made us laugh out loud. This artist is using a lot of repetition, which is a great effect, but should consider drawing separate elements for each repetition rather than copying and pasting them throughout the work. Colors are all on point. Excellent job, young artist 🙂
Honorable Mention:
Vee Chen of Archbishop Riordan High School, San Francisco, California, for “Climate change shakes up seismic activity.”
We liked the bold, assertive look of this image. It has a street art quality that reminds us of youth and this important political issue to their (and our) generations. We like that it doesn’t look digital and really has that gritty feel. Excellent job!
Lynden Johnson of Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana, for “Where do you go for news?”
This piece has a lot of charm and is clearly a traditional piece. It takes a lot of guts to choose watercolor and ink for spot illustration. This artist should check out the work of Quentin Blake (RIP, this year!) and Shel Silverstein for more inspiration and guidance.
Francesca Lorusso of Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas.
We don’t know what story this piece was for, but the sense of light is really nice and shows that this artist is thinking about light and shadow in their work. The artist has also shown restraint and maturity in using muted colors for the walls in order to let the beam of light look like real, saturated light. Nice work, young painter.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY AN INDIVIDUAL:
First Place: JJ Darrough of Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana, for “Journey through the decades.”
Using a road as a timeline, the illustrator cleverly marks significant dates along the way.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY A TEAM:
First Place: Molly Miller and Kai McPhail of Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, Kansas for “Rumor Has It…”
There are storytelling thoughts that went into this image. It works with the page design and helps make the point.
Honorable Mention: Maya Dutt and Aashka Nagarkar of Homestead High School, Cupertino, California for “POV: A love letter to poetry.”
