The All-State Journalism Team began in spring of 2005, when the Illinois Journalism Education Association recognized a need to honor those students who have proven themselves indispensable to their respective school media (e.g., yearbook, print or online newspaper, print or online newsmagazine, broadcast or other journalist media).

The students named to the All-State team are considered by their staffs and advisers as “most valuable players” — those students whose leadership, energy, dedication and expertise make their publications possible but whose main contributions often occur behind the scenes.

This award elevates student journalists who’ve put their publications ahead of themselves. They’re the ones who are willing to sacrifice their spare time to make sure other people’s stories are well edited. They’re the ones who make sure a publication’s pages are smartly designed, the headlines witty, the photos well composed, the website up to date and easy to navigate, the videos smoothly produced and the information in every story accurate. They’re the ones who don’t seek recognition but deserve it most of all.

Students selected for the All-State Team will be honored at the IJEA Luncheon in Springfield on June 3.

The 2017 All-State Journalism Team:

Grace Berry     Prospect     Jason Block, adviser

Danielle Ericksson     Hersey      Janet Levin, adviser

Lexi Haskell     Naperville Central     Keith Carlson, adviser

Brady Johnson     Washington Community     Jennifer Reiser, adviser

Clarrissa Kirkpatrick     Thornton Fractional South     Christopher Jones, adviser

Elizabeth Lindqwister     Richwoods     Dan Kerns, adviser

Marissa Martinez     Uni-Chicago     Logan Aimone, adviser

Madeline Moffett     Huntley     Dennis Brown, adviser

Dhvanii Raval     Conant     David Gwizdala, adviser

Logan Thoms     Okawville     Dana Donovan, adviser

Natalie White     Downers Grove North     Liz Levin, adviser

To nominate an MVP from your publication for next year, visit the All-State Journalism Team nomination page and submit it by March 15, 2018.