U-High student journalists attended the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Philadelphia Nov. 6-9, where they explored the city, attended educational sessions, competed in writing and photography contests, and received numerous awards.
The U-High Midway was one of 18 high school newspapers nationwide to be recognized with the National Scholastic Press Association’s Newspaper Pacemaker Award for the 2023-24 editions. It was the third win in a row and the 17th time the Midway was a finalist or winner for the award.
The U-Highlights yearbook won first place in the Best of Show for yearbooks between 144-256 pages, and the U-High Midway was awarded fourth place in the Best of Show for newspapers in schools under 1,800 students. Best of Show recognizes the top 10 publications in various categories based on schools with students attending the convention.
Two U-High journalists won individual first place national awards for their work.
Senior Daniel Baeaza, an assistant editor for U-High photojournalism, won best feature photo for a photo from last year’s prom, and senior Jaya Alenghat, an editor-in-chief for the U-High Midway, won newspaper page design of the year for her design “Cicadapalooza.”
“Going into the contest I knew I had the chance to win,” Daniel said, “but with the results it was very solidifying for my quality as a photojournalist, especially because of the superior award I won, as well, last year at the Boston convention.”
National Scholastic Press Association Individual awards:
- Design of the Year, newspaper front page: Mia Lipson, fifth place
- Design of the Year, newspaper page/spread: Sahana Unni, honorable mention
- Design of the Year, newspaper page/spread: Jaya Alenghat, first place
- Photo Slideshow: Mia Lipson, Chloë Alexander, Jaya Alenghat, Olin Nafziger; second place
- Photo Slideshow: Staff, honorable mention
- Photo of the Year, feature: Daniel Baeza, first place
- Photo of the Year, environmental portrait: Eli Raikhel, fifth place
- Photo of the Year, environmental portrait: Eli Raikhel, honorable mention
- Story of the Year, opinion: Clare McRoberts, third place
- Photojournalist of the Year: Olin Nafziger, fourth place
- Best Use of Social Media, social media reporting: Skye Freeman, Jaya Alenghat, Chloë Alexander, Clare McRoberts; fourth place
Students also participated in JEA National Student Media Contests, timed competitions that test journalism skills. Photojournalists received a critique of their pre-submitted work.
Journalism Education Association National Student Media Contests awards:
- Superior: Lila Coyne, review writing
- Excellent: Taariq Ahmed, commentary
- Excellent: Clare McRoberts, newspaper layout
- Excellent: Milo Platz-Walker, yearbook copy/caption: sports
- Excellent: Naomi Benton, yearbook copy/caption: academics
- Excellent: Orlie Weitzman, yearbook copy/caption: clubs
- Excellent: Eli Raikhel, photo portfolio
- Ari Novak, podcast
- Honorable mention: Caroline Skelly, sports writing
- Honorable mention: Ellis Calleri, themed photo
- Honorable mention: Danny Baeza, sports action photo
- Honorable mention: Bryce Light, feature photo
- Honorable mention: Olin Nafziger, general/spot news photo
- Honorable mention: Estelle Levinson, portrait photo
Along with the convention, students were able to enjoy Philadelphia, where they explored the city’s neighborhoods, college campuses and historical sites, and learned about important events in America’s history.
“I really enjoyed the Philadelphia trip because it gave me a chance to really immerse myself in journalism,” sophomore Arianna Novak, an Midway assistant editor, said. “Usually it’s only a 45-minute class, but here I learned so much from so many diverse teachers from around the country.”
