Illinois publications, student journalists win honors at JEA/NSPA spring convention

Two Illinois student publications won Pacemakers, two received Best of Show honors, and 11 student journalists earned Write-Off awards to highlight the state’s participation in the 2015 National High School Journalism Convention in Denver.

The four-day event, sponsored by the Journalism Education Association and the National Scholastic Press Association, took place Thursday through Sunday. The Illinois publications and students listed below came home with recognition for their work:

NSPA Yearbook Pacemaker Winner (337 or more pages)
Etruscan
Glenbrook South High School, Glenview
Elise McCune, Rachel Kim, editors
Brenda Field, adviser

NSPA Magazine Pacemaker Winner
New Pennies
DeKalb High School
Madeline Alger, Rachel Kelly, Kelan Graddy, editors
Christopher Lapeyre, adviser

NSPA Magazine Pacemaker Finalist
Skaldic
Geneva High School
Sarah Lewis, Michelle Geise, editors
Heather Peters, adviser

NSPA Online Pacemaker Finalist (1,500 or greater enrollment)
Devils’ Advocate
Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale
Christi Carras, Sanjana Srinivasan, editors
Cherise Lopez, adviser

NSPA Online Pacemaker Finalist (1,500 or greater enrollment)
The North Star
Naperville North High School, Naperville
Kathryn Jenkins, editor
Tara Jewell/Ryan Smith, advisers

For the complete list of Pacemaker winners, visit NSPA News & Notes here.

NSPA Best of Show – Broadcast Program
Niles West News, eighth place
Niles West High School, Skokie

NSPA Best of Show – Yearbook (337 or more pages)
Etruscan, fifth place
Glenbrook South High School, Glenview

For the complete list of Best of Show winners, visit NSPA News & Notes here.

JEA Write-Off Contest – Online News Package
Emily Butera, excellent
Niles West High School, Skokie

Sarah Govis, excellent
Niles West High School, Skokie

Katrina Nickell, excellent
Niles West High School, Skokie

JEA Write-Off Contest – Yearbook Student Life Photography
Daniel Krolopp, excellent
Glenbrook South High School, Glenview

JEA Write-Off Contest – Broadcast News Story
Kelli Konzen, honorable mention
O’Fallon Township High School, O’Fallon

Erica Marlinghaus, honorable mention
O’Fallon Township High School, O’Fallon

JEA Write-Off Contest – Graphic Design: Logo
Reece Faloon, honorable mention
Lyons Township High School, LaGrange

JEA Write-Off Contest – Yearbook Copy/Caption: Academics
Kristen Arms, honorable mention
Glenbrook South High School, Glenview

JEA Write-Off Contest – Yearbook Copy/Caption: Clubs
Nicole Cattin, honorable mention
Lyons Township High School, LaGrange

JEA Write-Off Contest – Yearbook Copy/Caption: Student Life
Luana Dumitrache, honorable mention
Glenbrook South High School, Glenview

JEA Write-Off Contest – Yearbook Layout: Inside Pages
Ashley Yong, honorable mention
Hinsdale South High School, Darien

For the complete list of Write-Off winners, visit the JEA blog here.

Illinois High School Journalist of the Year
Ashley Yong
Hinsdale South High School
Darien (Jim Kelly, adviser)

For the complete list of state journalists of the year as well as the national journalist of the year and national runners-up, visit the JEA blog here.

Congratulations to everyone who made the trip and participated in the convention!