Hundreds of high school journalism students came together at the University of Kansas on May 2 for the State Journalism Celebration.
The celebration honored both individual students and schools for their achievements in the State Journalism Contest. KSPA also recognized schools that earned All-Kansas ratings on critiques, as well as recipients of the Kansas Student Journalist of the Year and Portfolio of the Year awards.
Portfolio of the Year
KSPA extends a special thanks to Ron Johnson for his ongoing support of student journalism and for donating prize money for the overall Portfolio of the Year winners. Johnson helped surprise the winners at the state celebration.
Receiving recognition for their work were:
- Photojournalist Portfolio of the year
- JOSIE MANGINE, Shawnee Mission East, overall winner
- SIDNEY BROOKS, Inman High School, class 1A/2A winner
- BRAYDEN BAKER, Chanute High School, class 3A/4A winner
- Design Portfolio of the year
- ELISE OBLEPIAS, Bishop Miege High School, overall winner
- AVERY CLEMENT, Mill Valley High School, class 3A/4A winner
- Videographer Portfolio of the year:
- HAILEY BLURTON, Maize Career Academy, overall winner
- Writing Portfolio of the year:
- ANNABEL HALL, Shawnee Mission Northwest, overall winner
- LAINA VOSSEN, Bishop Miege High School, class 3A/4A winner
See the full results of the Portfolio of the Year recipients and their work here.
Mary Patrick Aspiring Young Journalist Award
The event also featured recognition of the recipients of the Mary Patrick Aspiring Young Journalist Award: winner Sophia Skibba, from Andover Middle School, and runner up Mackenzie Buxton, from Mill Creek Middle School. These students were honored on stage for their promising work and dedication to journalism. The 2023 Aspiring Young Journalist Award winner Rylie Nance accepted Skibba’s award on her behalf.
Susan Massy Award — Kansas Student Journalist of the Year
Sophia Ball, the Kansas Student Journalist of the Year and a finalist for the Journalism Education Association’s National Journalist of the Year award, addressed attendees during the celebration. Ball reflected on her experiences in high school journalism and spoke about the importance of storytelling, encouraging students to continue using journalism as a way to inform, connect and inspire their communities. The 1A/2A Kansas Student Journalist of the year Sidney Brooks, of Inman High School, was also recognized. The winner of Kansas Student Journalist of the Year receives the Susan Massy Award, named in honor of retired Shawnee Mission Northwest journalism adviser, Susan Massy.
State Sweepstakes
The award ceremony concluded with the State Sweepstakes awards.
- 1A: winner St. Francis Community High School, runner up Ellis High School
- 2A: winner Humboldt High School, runner up Hillsboro High School
- 3A: winner Halstead High School, runner up Jefferson West High School
- 4A: winner Chanute High School, runner up Bishop Miege High School
- 5A: winner Salina Central High School, runner up Blue Valley Southwest High School
- 6A: winner Shawnee Mission East High School, runner up Mill Valley High School
For the first year, KSPA also recognized sweepstakes winners of each contest category (design, multimedia, photo and writing). See the full results at these links:
- 1A/2A Winners Announcement Link
- 3A/4A Winners Announcement Link
- 5A Winners Announcement Link
- 6A Winners Announcement Link
Adviser and Supporter Awards
Also congratulations to the winners of awards that honor scholastic journalism advisers and supporters. Award-winners were honored at the adviser brunch.
- KSPA Hall of Fame inductee: KIM WARREN, Salina High School South
- KSPA Hall of Fame inductee: AMY MORGAN, Shawnee Mission West High School
- Sunflower Award winner: CHRIS HEADY, Shawnee Mission Northwest
- Friend of KSPA winner: TOM SHINE, Retired from KMUW
- Ad Astra Award winner: MEGAN BLOOM, Inman High School
- KSPA Administrator of the Year winner: DR. BRAD NEUENSWANDER, Jefferson West USD 340
- Jackie Engel Award Winner: KRISTY NYP, Manhattan High School