Several members of the Wildcat Chronicle staff earned national recognition at the Spring 2026 National Student Media Contest, held during the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Minneapolis.
The contest, organized by the Journalism Education Association, brings together student journalists from across the country to compete in on-site events judged by industry professionals. Only a small percentage of participants earn recognition in their respective categories.
Chronicle students received two “Excellent” ratings and six “Honorable Mention” awards across a range of categories, including writing, photography, broadcasting, and podcasting.
Students earning “Excellent” honors include junior Miley Pegg for Sports Feature Photos and senior Tommy Weber for Podcasting.
Students receiving “Honorable Mention” recognition include Joselyn Duran Corona (Photo Story), Juliet Payton (Sports Writing), Aly Dusing (Newswriting), Ana Hurtado (Sports Action Photos), Leo Mendez (Themed Photo), and Aaron Hernandez Granados (Broadcast Anchor).
“These competitions are incredibly competitive, and our students are going up against some of the top high school journalism programs in the country,” adviser Leslie Fireman said. “To have multiple students recognized at the national level speaks to the strength of their work and the consistency of the program.”
The convention, hosted by the National Scholastic Press Association and JEA, also offered students opportunities to attend sessions, network with professionals, and further develop their skills in journalism and media production.
The Chronicle staff will continue building on this momentum as they prepare future content and competitions.
