On Saturday June 6, the IJEA Board gathered to celebrate the All-State Team and the Illinois Journalist of the Year. Parents, advisers and board members honored the All-State team’s accomplishments with a keynote speech by the Chicago Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner and a lunch provided by the Illinois Press Foundation.

Read more about each student below.

Tess Arendt, a senior at St. Charles North High School who was editor-in-chief of the school’s newspaper, The Stargazer. 

Her adviser, Katherine Heurung, said: 

“Tess cares deeply about Stargazer’s ability to continue its success even when she is no longer at its helm, and she runs the club in a way that serves that goal. She is always encouraging when staff members want to try something new. She never ever dismisses a story idea, but instead coaches her peers on how to scale their ideas to fit a student publication. She uses her own immense talent for the benefit of the whole team. The Stargazer is a better publication for her leadership.”

Tess said: “I fell in love with the nobility and the quiet heroism of journalism and have let it inspire me in every piece I sign up for, every interview I conduct, every word I write and every staff member I coach.”

Atticus Ball, a senior at Edwardsville High School who was Editor-in-Chief for the Tiger Times Online news website and The Claw print newsmagazine. 

Atticus’ adviser, Amanda Thrun, said: 

“And while Atticus excels at reviewing any artistic media, he continues to stretch his skills in all areas of journalistic writing. He demonstrates every day what it means to be not only a journalist but also a leader, meeting deadlines, exceeding expectations, and cultivating the talent that will follow him. He is the very definition of an MVP.”

Atticus said: 

“Even with less than half the staff from my time as a staff writer last year, the expectations for the quality of our publications hasn’t changed, and I have been putting my soul into helping the staff reach or even exceed those expectations.”

Our next All-Stater is Alex Brudvik, a junior at Barrington High School who was Creative Director of The RoundUp print newsmagazine.

Alex’s adviser, Laura Minerva, said: 

“Alex’s strengths extend beyond design. Curious and observant, Alex is always looking for meaningful stories to tell. One example is his recent feature on a new club at our school focused on infertility awareness. After learning about the club, Alex chose to dig deeper, producing a thoughtful, compelling piece. “

Alex said: 

“Working two roles this year has been a fun, hectic adventure; playing both sides of the

fence isn’t always the easiest, but working in both print and digital media has taught me

valuable skills in what journalism really is and how to be an effective leader.”

Gabriella Castro, a senior at West Chicago Community High School and Co-editor-in-chief of the Wildcat Chronicle online news site. 

Gabriella’s adviser, Leslie Fireman, said: 

“She is the student I rely on when something is not working because she will step in and figure it out. When a show went two months without publishing, Gabriella stepped in as producer to get it on track. When we needed a photo for a breaking news piece, she immediately left class, captured the image, and ensured the story could publish in real time. Whether revising video projects to make them publication-ready or taking photos so a classmate can meet a deadline, Gabriella consistently puts the needs of the publication above her own.”

Gabriella said: 

“I will be the kind of journalist and peer who helps others feel included and heard. Journalism is much more than writing: it is about telling stories that matter and making sure others have the opportunity to share their voices.”

Sadie Ellis, a junior at the University of Chicago Laboratory High School and Managing Editor of U-Highlights yearbook. 

Her adviser, Jayna Rumble, said: 

“This year, as managing editor, Sadie has been our newsroom’s engine. Her output is, frankly, exhaustive: she has overseen the production of 33 spreads, coordinated over 100 student club photos, meticulously tracked coverage to ensure every student was seen, and organized the entire people section from top to bottom. She is the rare editor who can handle the granular details of a portrait database while maintaining the creative vision required for award-winning design.”

Sadie said: 

“Though I joined the class because of my interest in design, my passion through the last year really became about my community inside the classroom and out. Yearbook has given me an outlet to let the voices of my peers stand out and be included. And within my own yearbook team, I have found my own voice and my place among the staff.”

Sam Gonzales, a junior at Palatine High School who is Sport’s Editor of the school’s website, PHS Cutlass. 

Sam’s adviser, Sean Berleman, said:

“As our sports editor, Sam has been the most consistent section throughout the school year. She frequently works with first time reporters who are only writing because it is a sport that they have friends participating in that sport. As an editor, she does an admirable job of helping students develop their voice.”

Sam said:

“My biggest strength as a journalist is initiative. I do not wait to be told what to do, and I am willing to take on extra work to make sure things get done. I also bring curiosity into my reporting and try to be intentional with what I write.”

Siya Iyer, a senior at Washington Community High School who is Editor-in-Chief and Photo Editor of the school’s newspaper, The Advocate. 

Siya’s adviser, Jennifer Reiser, said:

“Above all, Siya is a journalist of integrity, passion, and reliability. Her peers trust her for guidance and support, and as her adviser, I rely on her to help ensure every issue meets the highest standards, especially as deadlines approach. Her exceptional organizational skills allow her to meet her own responsibilities while keeping the entire staff focused and on track.”

Siya said:

“Over the years, as a journalist, I’ve come to terms with the realization that a good journalist is someone who is not afraid to take risks in any story. I realized how important the truth is to every story, and how intriguing stories are to read. That is what makes a good journalist. “

Stella Rankin, a senior at LIFT Regional Innovation and Technology Center and Editor-in-Chief for both LIFT TV and LIFT Links digital Newsletter.

Stella’s adviser, Shad Huddleston, said: 

“Stella generates all story ideas, runs all communication to set up interviews with staff, students, and community members, conducts all interviews, writes all scripts for anchors and voiceover, records a great deal of voiceover herself, films most interviews, and does any hands-on setup tasks needed on a daily basis.”

Stella said:

“My work as the writer for LIFT News and the LIFT Newsletter has taught me a lot about professional and appropriate language, meeting deadlines, writing for a specific audience, and synergizing with others. I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to do this internship. I will use the skills I have gained from it as I pursue a career in journalism.”

Isabelle Robinson, a senior at Edwardsville High School who was editor-in-chief of The Tiger yearbook, Tiger Times online news website and The Claw print newsmagazine. 

Her adviser, Amanda Thrun, said: 

“She has touched every spread, even taking it upon herself to execute the club and team pages. That usually falls under the managing editor’s responsibilities, but she preferred to work through the task herself and ask the other editors to check her work. Under her leadership, we met every publisher’s deadline ahead of schedule.”

Isabelle said: 

“I’m proud of the work my team and I have put into making this the best book we could make. I’m proud of the way I’ve grown, as a person and a designer and a leader. I’m proud of the commitment I’ve managed to maintain, and for giving so much for an end result I already know I’m going to cherish forever.”

Carson Ryan, a senior at Meridian High School who was editor-in-chief of The Talon yearbook. 

His adviser, TillieAnn Steele, said: 

“Carson took over as our Editor-in-Chief mid-year in his junior year, and he knew exactly where he wanted our program to go: up. Carson has dedicated countless hours to the creation, proofing, and teaching of our publication. Not only does Carson help to oversee the daily needs of our publication, but Carson still makes all efforts to do the work he expects of his staff. This includes designing spreads, writing copy, interviewing, and taking photos at events. All of this, on top of his duties as our EIC.”

Carson said: 

“I place great importance on making sure the stories I tell are communicated in many ways. I want readers to be drawn in by my colors, design choices, and photography. I want to guide their eyes through my information and present it in a way that is interesting and entertaining enough to keep their attention.”

Declan Smith, a junior at University of Chicago Laboratory High School who was news editor of U-High Midway newspaper and uhighmidway.com online news website. 

His adviser, Logan Aimone, said: 

“The newsroom can sometimes be like a kitchen with too many cooks, but Declan is a master chef, someone you always want contributing to the recipe. He has the experience, intellect and confidence to be independent, while recognizing when to seek consultation and advice. An outstanding writer and designer, he has earned the trust and respect of his peers.”

Declan said:

“As I’ve grown, I’ve had to approach my position in a new way. Instead of only trusting myself, I’ve had to open up to coaching my assistant editor. Instead of being ashamed to ask for help, I’ve had to understand no one expects you to do everything alone. This has kept me from burning out and has compelled me to come back to the Midway every day.”

Michalina Sotka, a senior at McHenry Community High School who was editor-in-chief of the McHenry Messenger. 

Her adviser, Dane Erbach, said:

“Michalina is a different sort of student—one whose trajectory I have had the pleasure to witness firsthand for years and who I know will impress you as she has impressed me. Given her performance at MCHS, I am confident that Michalina will not only better herself, but better the world, and use this opportunity to make the same positive impact on society as a whole that she has made at McHenry High School.”

Michalina said:

“I’m most proud of the consistency of the newspaper – we’ve posted stories almost every school day and issued a weekly print edition consistently throughout the year. This year, I’ve loved writing stories that appeal to me and my interests while still being newsworthy. This year has been a blast because of that.” 

Addison Stone, a senior at Huntley High School. She was editor-in-chief of the Harmony yearbook and Raider Nation News. 

Her adviser, Lauren Teeter, said: 

“She has distinguished herself as a principled and versatile journalist whose work consistently reflects the highest standards of storytelling. Her remarkable ability to navigate evolving challenges and her commitment to reporting on stories of substance have left an enduring legacy within Huntley High School’s Television Production and Harmony Yearbook programs.”

Addison said: 

“One keyword has defined my experience in student publications: adaptability. Every year, the staff, the workflow, and the demands evolve, and with that, what I bring to the table as a journalist and leader needs to as well. I learned to adjust my approach to best support my staff, whether it involves offering one-on-one support, creating a more effective communication system, or even just knowing when we all need to take a step back.”

Tessa Trylovich, a senior at Prospect High School who was Managing Editor of KnightMedia. 

Her adviser, Jason Block, said: 

“She brings unparalleled energy to our classroom every day, and her peers can’t help but feed off of that. That level of effort has translated into her creating some pretty amazing stories for our program over the years, with hers emerging as some of the best we run each month. I always look forward to reading Tessa’s work because I know it will be informative and engaging, and have the attention to detail typically reserved for professional publications..”

Tessa said: 

“What I have found most enjoyable about journalism is the opportunity to meet new people and hear their stories. I enjoy building connections through interviews and turning those conversations into meaningful stories.”

Anda Wattanakit, a junior at Richwoods High School and Editor-in-Chief for The Shield and the Illinois Junior Academy of Science monthly newsletter. 

Anda’s adviser, Thomas Hayes, said: 

“She is an outstanding leader in the school and has earned the highest respect from the faculty and staff as well as her peers.  Anda is one of the most sincere and genuine students I have worked with in 27 years of education. “

Anda said: 

“I believe that good journalism is the ability to present unbiased truth about the world that we live in. Though all humans have some implicit bias, I try to bypass that bias in order to produce accurate information to the general public. A good article presents people with facts and sometimes the journalist’s perspectives, but they must allow people to form their own opinions.”

Emma Weintrab, a senior at Kaneland High School and Editor-in-Chief and Business executive of the Kaneland Krier. 

Emma’s adviser, Dominic Bruno, said: 

“As Editor-in-Chief, Emma is behind every decision from the initial brainstorming phase of a production cycle to the day our newsmagazine gets into the hands of each student. She has fostered a collaborative culture where every voice on our large staff feels welcome. Emma does not shy away from tough topics and understands that when there are stories worth covering, we should go for it.”

Emma said.

“Above all, I am most proud of my commitment to making the publication a welcoming and collaborative environment. I do my best to talk with each member each day and encourage strong staff relationships. I make it a point to check in with staff about their work, and I try to get to know everyone on a personal level.”

Audra Wolf, a senior at Normal Community High School who was Managing Editor of The Inkspot. 

Her adviser, Brad Bovenkerk, said: 

“What separates Audra from many strong student journalists is that her empathy strengthens her reporting rather than softening it. She is fair-minded, ethically grounded and genuinely attentive to people who are often left out of coverage. She understands that journalism is not about inserting herself into the story, but about listening carefully, verifying facts and representing others with accuracy and dignity. That sense of responsibility has made her especially valuable in stories involving equity, student needs and community controversy.”

Audra said:

“I strive to cover underrepresented people, sports and issues with integrity, and to provide the public with meaningful information one article at a time.”