The 2020 U-Highlights yearbook has received recognition from the National Scholastic Press Association and the Illinois Journalism Education Association for its creative and timely account of the last school year. 

The U-Highlights received a critique rating of First Class with Three Marks of Distinction, one of the highest ratings given by NSPA’s publication critique service.

“In the judge’s critique, he liked how the yearbook staff adapted to make last-minute changes to the book in order to cover the whole scope of the year. The staff members had to think on their feet and get creative, and the judge commended that,” yearbook adviser Jayna Rumble said.

In addition, the U-Highlights won numerous awards at the IJEA competition, ranking second in the state in Overall General Excellence in its enrollment category.

The U-Highlights also placed in the top three in seven categories including copy writing, sports coverage, photography, divider pages, layout and design, theme development and coverage of the year.