Journalism students attended the Fall 2025 JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Nashville, Tennessee on Nov. 13–16. The National Student Media Contests, offered at the convention through the Journalism Education Association, allowed students to submit in advance online or participate in on-sites for a chance to earn rankings of Superior, Excellent or Honorable Mention. Out of 24 high school attendees—17 from yearbook and seven from newspaper—eight placed in their respective competitions.
Best of Show —
Hornet Yearbook placed 5th for Yearbook (Largest Yearbook)
Individual Competition Results —
Superior:
Kaylee Anderson in Yearbook Cover/Endsheet Design
Maria Morales-Ocampo in Literary Magazine: Photography
Excellent:
Adison Richards in Yearbook Copy/Caption: Student Life
Brayden Rowe in Yearbook Copy/Captions: Academics
Honorable Mentions:
Blessing Colter in Yearbook Copy/Captions: Sports
Kinley Little in Newswriting
Rylee Solomon in Literary Magazine: Layout
Addison Warford in Literary Magazine: Poetry
Richards, who competed for Yearbook Copy/Caption: Student Life, did not anticipate placing when going up against other competitors from across the nation.
“I hadn’t been in a writing competition before,” Richards said. “When I realized I actually got an excellent rating, I was so surprised because I was so set on not placing.”
Others aimed to improve upon their previous accomplishments in competitions. Anderson, whose entry was a mail-in for Yearbook Cover/Endsheet Design, had her own goal in mind.
“I hoped to place Superior,” Anderson said. “Since I’ve [received] Honorable Mention and Excellent before, and I did.”
Aside from the competitions, the convention provided an opportunity for staffers like Morales-Ocampo, who competed in Literary Magazine: Photography, to spend time together outside of school.
“The most memorable part of the trip was just being able to hang out with the other staffers,” Morales-Ocampo said. “We had a chance to talk and get to know each other more because, when we’re in class, we’re always so busy and in a rush to get all our work done.”
