Jayna Rumble
Members of the U-High Midway, U-Highlights and U-High photojournalism team attended the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Philadelphia Nov. 6-9.
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.”