KSPA Winter 2024-2025 Student Showcase Entries

March 3, 2025

Lydia Gipp/Lawrence High School

KSPA is thrilled to present the Winter 24/25 Student Showcase, celebrating the exceptional work of student journalists across Kansas. From December through February, students from 13 high schools showcased their creativity and passion in photography, writing, and video journalism. Below, you’ll find their incredible submissions, organized by category.

Sports Action Photo

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Sports Reaction Photo

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Academic Photo

Student Life/Feature Photo

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Newspaper Design

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Yearbook Design

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Snow Day Print Coverage

Shawnee Mission North: Toni Davis – Kristen LeBeau

Snow Day Online Coverage

Video News Segments

Lawrence Free State High School – Nathan Kramer, Nathan Friedman, Phoebe Morris, and Maria Mosconi
Ethan Hanratanagorn, Leslie Knox, Ameelynn Sebastiani, Connor Austin
Liam Melendez, Michael Clark, Koyote Aguilar, Leslie Knox
Mill Valley High School – Ava Mendez
Mill Valley High School – Sophie Van Inwegen

Sports Video

Ida Harrington, Kennedy Glasgow
Naomi Sui Pang
Mill Valley High School – Maddie Lehr, Allison Shultz
Mill Valley High School – Seville Skinner

Video Full Episode

The Lions Roar
MVTV Episode 11.9 – MVTV staff

Multimedia Entries

Which Free State Staff Member Are You? – Eula Heriford and Lucas Smith, Lawrence Free State High School
Review: Baila’s Top 8 of January – Baila Love and Lucas Smith, Lawrence Free State High School
Social Media Trend Counteracts Consumerist Culture – Rhubarb Brubacher, Zana Kennedy, Aubrie Magnuson, Ruby Hull
Process for Redrawing of USD 497 High School Boundaries Challenged by Data Issues – Mimi Rosado
Zoe Washington, Wichita High School South
Students Make Lego Trendy as a Way of Creative Expression – MVNews staff
Students Find It Important to Incorporate Caffeine into Their Day – MVNews staff

Full Newspaper Entries (PDF)

Full Newspaper Entries (Digital)

Panther’s Tale, Issue 4, Volume 100 – Maggie Elliott, Derby High School
Free Press, Issue 5, Feb. 17, 2025 – Lawrence Free State High School
Northwest Passage, Volume 56, Issue 6 – Shawnee Mission Northwest
The LHS Budget, Issue 1, 2024-25
Jagwire Newspaper, Volume 25, Issue 3

Sports Writing Entries

Sports: Hoops and Heart – Rakshan Ossen, Lawrence Free State High School
Swimming to State – Nick Sprecker, Lawrence Free State High School
Owls Dominate Ravens in Big Rivalry Matchup – Caleb Robles, Olathe West High School
Quick Trade Grades from Huge Weekend in the NBA – Caleb Robles, Olathe West High School
SMNW Harper Ward
Expectations for Respect Shouldn’t End in the Stadium – Channing Morse
Former LHS Coach Brad Stoll Joins Atlanta Braves Coaching Staff – Ruby Flanner
The Girls Wrestling Team Has Been Working Hard in the Offseason to Prepare for the Upcoming Season – Maddie Martin, Hailey Gussio, Mill Valley High School
Krislyn Hadlock
Harper Ward, Shawnee Mission Northwest

News Writing Entries

Ava Mbawuike, Derby High School
Lawrence Opens Doors for Winter – Evie Chancy, Lawrence Free State High School
Firebirds at KTF – Jonah Frye, Lawrence Free State High School
Olathe West Dance Team Places Third in State – Harper Adams, Olathe West High School
Olathe West Orchestra Hosts Annual Night in Italy Concert – Harper Adams, Olathe West High School
SMNW Grace Rau
Wishcycling and Our Misconceptions About Recycling – Rhubarb Brubacher
The Smoke Shop Epidemic in Lawrence – Avery Sloyer
Increasing Enrollment is Effecting Class Sizes, Teachers, and Students in Significant Ways – Mya Franco, Mill Valley High School
Students Get the Opportunity to Talk to College Representatives at the Next Steps College and Career Fair – Ian Chern, Mill Valley High School
Grace Rau, Shawnee Mission Northwest
Elle Kehl, Paola High School
Jocelyn West, Paola High School

Opinion Writing Entries

Justice Bright, Paola High School
Jack Schwatken, Paola High School
Maria Mosconi, Lawrence Free State High School
Ebi Hegeman, Lawrence Free State High School
The Silicon Apocalypse: How AI is Hastening Our Planet’s Demise – Violet Vallad, Olathe West High School
The Recycling Initiative at Olathe West is Trash – Violet Vallad, Olathe West High School
Annabel Hall, Shawnee Mission Northwest
Sophia Ragan, Shawnee Mission Northwest
Gifted Program Just Out of Reach – Arabella Gipp
Authenticity Over Perfection: I’m No Longer Playing the College Admissions Game – Ashlyn Tell
Vlogging Can Be a Helpful Tool in Self-Reflection and Personal Growth – Avery Clement, Mill Valley High School
Being Involved in Multiple Activities and Hobbies is Beneficial – Hannah Stephensen, Mill Valley High School

Feature Profile Writing Entries

Cute Critters – Jonah Frye, Lawrence Free State High School
Issue 4, Page 14 – Nick Sprecker, Lawrence Free State High School
Pete the Cat: An Adoption Story – Maddie Walle, Olathe West High School
Following the Passion – Raegan Seaba, Olathe West High School
Hope Hunt, Shawnee Mission Northwest
Sofia Ball, Shawnee Mission Northwest
Tim Walz’s Connection to the Lawrence Community – Zana Kennedy
Galbreath Going D1 – Channing Morse
Scott Schau Creates Lasting Connections Through Being a School Bus Driver – Natalia Castillejos-Ramirez, Mill Valley High School
Academic Apathy Has Grown in Recent Years – Mya Franco, Maddie Martin, Avery Clement, Mill Valley High School

Yearbook Copy Entries

Ashlyn Pratt – Paola High School
Elle Kehl – Paola High School
Macy Williams – Shawnee Mission North
Claire Heinritz – Lawrence Free State High School
Ebi Hegeman – Lawrence Free State High School
Zoe Nixon – Shawnee Mission Northwest
Aniston Crabtree – Mill Valley High School
Molly Hillner – Mill Valley High School
Avery Sloyer
Channing Morse