The U-High Midway’s Amanda Cassel has been named to the All-State Journalism Team by the Illinois Journalism Education Association. She was one of 12 students chosen for this team in the state.

The achievement recognizes students who put their publication before themselves and have shown themselves to be essential to their publication’s success during this school year. 

Linda Jones, IJEA executive director, said the team is meant to show students that their work and excellence is valued at a state level.

“This is one way to acknowledge people who have been particularly valuable and visible and helpful to the journalism program at their school: the most valuable player in the journalism program,” Ms. Jones said.

Amanda has worked on the Midway staff for three years, and she has served as assistant editor and managing editor. She was recently named editor-in-chief, and she cares deeply about the Midway. 

“There’s something really incredible about having a tangible product that stands for your teamwork,” Amanda said. “Another really cool thing is how much of the school I get to see that I wouldn’t without being on staff.”

This is the seventh year in a row that a Midway staff member has been placed on the team. In total, 13 staff members have been recognized since the program was founded in 2005.

“I was really excited,” Amanda said after receiving the honor. “It felt like a really big win. It’s exciting to know that I can have journalistic success outside of Lab.”