Meet our new All-State Team!

[NOTE: IJEA Executive Director Dr. Sally Renaud assisted with the preparation of this article.]

CHARLESTON — Nine of the “most valuable players” in Illinois high school journalism were recognized today for their sometimes unheralded but always essential publications work as the IJEA announced its 2014-15 All-State Journalism Team.

Now in its 11th year, the All-State Team honors those students who have proven themselves indispensable to their respective school media. They are the MVPs whose leadership, energy, dedication and expertise make their publications possible but whose main contributions often occur behind the scenes.

To be considered for selection, student journalists must be nominated by their advisers.

This year’s team members are:

• Gabrielle Cano, Kaneland High School (Maple Park, Kane County), Kimberly Reese, adviser. As webmaster of Kaneland’s student news site, The Kaneland Krier, Cano works as both web designer and online editor of stories and projects.

• Jess Clavero, Huntley High School (McHenry County), Dennis Brown, adviser. A triple threat, Clavero is design editor of the print and online versions of Huntley’s student news publication, The Voice, and she is editor-in-chief of Huntley’s yearbook, The Chieftain. She won third place in yearbook layout: double-page spread at the 2015 IHSA journalism state final, which took place Friday at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

• Michael Glick, University of Chicago Laboratory High School (Cook County), Wayne Brasler/Logan Aimone, advisers. As editor-in-chief of the U-High Midway student newspaper, Glick has primary responsibility for the publication’s content and overall direction. Not only is Glick a leader of his peers, but since January he has helped new adviser Logan Aimone make the transition as successor to scholastic journalism legend Wayne Brasler.

• Rachel Krusenoski, Downers Grove North High School (Downers Grove, DuPage County), Elizabeth Levin, adviser. As editor-in-chief of her school’s student newspaper, The Omega, Krusenoski is spokesperson for the editorial staff and creative leader of the publication. She designs the front page, oversees staff assignments, writes headlines, attends all copy deadline nights, casts deciding votes, ensures the accuracy of the paper, posts social media and teaches news staff. She also won third place in feature writing at the 2015 IHSA journalism state final.

• Kaitlyn Morrill, Elk Grove High School (Elk Grove Village, Cook County), Lisa Martineau, adviser. Morrill is editor-in-chief of her school’s yearbook, Montage. She has a hand in almost every aspect of the production, from publicity and fundraising to copywriting, photography, page/spread/cover design and final editing. She won fourth place in yearbook caption writing at the 2015 IHSA journalism state final.

• Isabella Murray, John Hersey High School (Arlington Heights, Cook County), Janet Levin, adviser. As an executive board member of her school’s student newspaper, The Correspondent, Murray oversees sections, switches off as editor-in-chief, leads small groups and designs pages.

• Isabel Rich, Belvidere North High School (Belvidere, Boone County), John Paddock, adviser. Rich is editor-in-chief of Belvidere North’s newspaper, The North View. Like her teammate Michael Glick of U-High Chicago, Rich not only leads her peers but has assisted with the transition to a new adviser. In her case, she helped John Paddock as he succeeded Mike Doyle, who retired at the end of the 2013-14 school year.

• Ellen Siefke, Prospect High School (Mount Prospect, Cook County), Jason Block, adviser. As editor-in-chief of her school’s student newspaper, The Prospector, Siefke runs staff meetings, checks in and brainstorms with staffers, and helps them with interviews, page designs and other pressing matters. She also writes stories, columns and profiles.

• Elizabeth Youshaei, Deerfield High School (Lake County), Brett Schwartz, adviser. As sports editor of the Deerprints student newspaper, Youshaei manages and edits the sports section and also contributes to general editorial and leadership decisions.

Students and their advisers will be honored June 6 in an awards ceremony at the State Journal-Register offices in Springfield. The event will be co-hosted by the IJEA and the Illinois Press Foundation.

The event will also honor the 2015 Illinois Journalist of the Year, Ashley Yong of Hinsdale South High School (Darien, DuPage County), and her adviser, Jim Kelly. Yong concluded a memorable senior year by winning first place in yearbook layout: double-page spread at the 2015 IHSA journalism state final. The IJOY runner-up, All-State selectee Michael Glick of U-High Chicago, will also be recognized.