Skip to main content

High School Media Conference Winners Announced

The day featured workshops for area high school students and their advisors. 214 awards were also given out across various categories.

Area high school students attend the high school media conference

Omaha Central, Omaha Marian and Westside high schools received top honors in a media contest held annually by the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) School of Communication.

The awards were presented April 4 during the High School Media Conference at the Scott Conference Center from 9 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. With 321 in attendance, the day featured workshops for area high school students and their advisors. Twenty-five high schools participated in the journalism and media contest.

Omaha Central High School was the Division A first place Best Newspaper winner for The Register. Second place was awarded to Omaha North High Magnet School for The North Star and Bellevue East High School for the Tom Tom.

Omaha Marian High School won first place for the Best Newspaper Division B for The Network. Second place went The Mount staff from Mount Michael Benedictine and third place was awarded to Omaha Bryan High School.

Westside High School won first place in the Division A Sweepstakes Award for accumulating the most points across all print, photo and graphic categories. Second place went to Omaha Central High School and third place to Millard West High School.

Omaha Marian High School won first place in the Division B Sweepstakes Award, followed by Gretna High School in second and Fremont High School in third.

Westside High School took first place in the Excellence in Broadcasting Award, followed by Millard West High school in second and Platteview High School in third.

Mark Hilburn, Millard West High School journalism teacher and adviser of the Catalyst and Prowler, was presented with the annual Outstanding Service Award for his work in teaching and advising students.

Sponsors included the Nebraska Broadcasters Association, Emspace + Lovgren, UNO Undergraduate Admissions and the UNO Bookstore.

For more information, contact Melodae Morris at 402.554.4179.

Winners in other categories for the media contest are as follows:

Division A

Bellevue East High School

  • Madison Ybay, Best Review, Third Place
  • Aurora Villarreal, Best Sports Photo, Third Place
  • McKayla Vermeer, Newspaper – Two-Page Layout, First Place
  • McKayla Vermeer, Newspaper – Two-Page Layout, Third Place (Tie)
  • Tom Tom, Best Newspaper, Third Place (Tie)
  • Zayda Birkel, Best Cartoon, Third Place (Tie)
  • Tanijah Panknone, Best News/Feature Photo, First Place
  • McKenzie Gandy, Best News/Feature Photo, Third Place

Millard North High School

  • Kylie Hughs, Best Feature Story, First Place

Millard South High School

  • Tori Barkus, Best Art/Computer, First Place
  • Allison Kirkebak, Best Sports Story, Third Place
  • Cassady Alberico, Best Feature Story, Third Place (Tie)
  • Maddie Rynes, Newspaper -Two-Page Layout, Third Place (Tie)
  • Noelia Rodriguez, Best Sports Story, Second Place (Tie)
  • Jalyn Nauss, Best Yearbook Layout, Second Place (Tie)

Millard West High School

  • MWHS Wildcat News Staff, Best Video News Broadcast, First Place
  • Madelyn Augustine, Best Sports Photo, First Place
  • Jessica Burd, Best Original Art/Computer Graphics, Second Place (Tie)
  • Brianna Tretter, Best Advertisement, Second Place
  • Ashley Hedrick, Best Advertisement, Third Place
  • Sydney Looney, Newspaper- Single Page, Third Place
  • Nathan Thomas, Best Short Form Audio, Second Place
  • Brianna Tretter, Best Sports Story, First Place
  • The Catalyst, Best Newspaper, Third Place (Tie)
  • Madelyn Augustine, Best Video News Story, Second Place
  • Alexandra Dobesh, Best Video News Story, Second Place
  • Madelyn Augustine, Best Video PSA, Third Place
  • Cole Filer, Best Video PSA, Third Place
  • Annalise Smalley, Best Video Sports Story, Second Place
  • Chloe Parker, Best Video Sports Story, Second Place
  • Annalise Smalley, Best Video Sports Story, Third Place
  • Macey Wahl, Best Video Sports Story, Third Place
  • Gabriel Paredes, Best Video Feature, Second Place (Tie)
  • Kaitlyn Willard, Best Video Feature, Second Place (Tie)
  • Gabriel Paredes, Best Video Feature, Third Place (Tie)
  • Annalise Smalley, Best Video Feature, Third Place (Tie)

Omaha Bryan High School

  • Aryan Dishaw, Best Feature Story, Second Place
  • Miriam Zahid, Best Sports Story, Third Place (Tie)
  • Keyana Burries, Best Editorial, Third Place (Tie)
  • Ashley Roth, Best News/Feature Photo, Third Place (Tie)
  • Jaden Jacobs, Best Cartoon, Second Place (Tie)
  • Adri Martinez, Best News Story, First Place

Omaha Central High School

  • Olivia Gilbreath, Bests Feature Story, Third Place (Tie)
  • Emma Whaley, Best Review, Second Place
  • Anne Gallagher, Newspaper (Single-Page Layout), First Place
  • Molly Ashford, Newspaper (Two-Page Layout), Second Place
  • Mac O’Brien, Best Column, Third Place
  • The Register, Best Newspaper, First Place
  • Ben Lane, Best Cartoon, Third Place (Tie)
  • Lucy Mason, Best News/Feature Photo, Second Place

Omaha North Magnet High School

  • Elena Bonifant, Best Sports Photo, Second Place (Tie)
  • Sydney Hamilton, Best Editorial, First Place
  • Sydney Hamilton, Best Editorial, Second Place
  • North Star, Best Newspaper, Second Place
  • Kylie Hughes, Best Feature Story, First Place
  • Hailey Gillespie, Best Video PSA, Second Place
  • Clarence Whitner, Best Video PSA, Second Place

Omaha Westside High School

  • Will Eikenbary, Best Review, First Place
  • Emma Miller, Best News Story, Third Place
  • Meredith Matz, Best News Story, Third Place
  • Luke Steiner, Best News Story, Second Place
  • Angela Li, Best Art/Computer, Second Place(Tie)
  • Jessica Burd, Best Art/Computer, Second Place(Tie)
  • Angela Li, Best Art/Computer, Third Place (Tie)
  • Vinny Nelson, Newspaper-Single Page Layout, Second Place
  • Nate Monjarrez/Peter Collins, Best Long Form Audio, Second Place
  • Caleb Kirilov, Best Short Form Audio, First Place
  • Eli McCabe, Best Sports Story, Third Place
  • Jane Knudsen, Best Column, First Place
  • Gabby Dyche, Yearbook Layout, First Place (Tie)
  • Ramya Iyer, Yearbook Layout, First Place (Tie)
  • Chris Speeks, Best Video PSA, First Place
  • De’Andre Hill, Best Video PSA, First Place
  • Jane Knudsen, Best Cartoon, First Place
  • Abie Schreiber, Best Cartoon, Second Place (Tie)
  • De’Andre Hill, Best Video News Story, Third Place
  • Christopher Speeks, Best Video News Story, Third Place
  • Eli McCabe, Best Video News Story, Third Place
  • Bobby Hurley, Best Video News Story, Third Place
  • Eleanor Dodge, Best In-Depth Reporting, First Place
  • Theo Jansen, Best In-Depth Reporting, First Place
  • Maryam Akramova, Best In-Depth Reporting, First Place
  • Malia Bathafarano, Best In-Depth Reporting, First Place
  • Meredith Matz, Best In-Depth Reporting, First Place
  • Tane Knutsen, Best In-Depth Reporting, First Place
  • Will Christansen, Best In-Depth Reporting, First Place
  • Isabella Tuler, Best In-Depth Reporting, Third Place
  • Faith Rice, Best In-Depth Reporting, Third Place
  • Max Frost, Best In-Depth Reporting, Third Place
  • Maryam Akramova, Best In-Depth Reporting, Third Place
  • Theo Jansen, Best In-Depth Reporting, Third Place
  • De’Andre Hill, Best Video Sports Story, First Place
  • Chris Speeks, Best Video Sports Story, First Place
  • De’Andre Hill, Best Video Feature, First Place
  • Chris Speeks, Best Video Feature, First Place
  • Caleb Kirilov, Best Video Feature, Second Place (Tie)
  • Trent Hancock, Best Video Feature, Second Place (Tie)
  • Erin Mosier, Best Video Feature, Third Place (Tie)

Papillion - La Vista High School

  • Mollee Swift, Best Advertisement, First Place
  • Josey Ryan, Best Sports Story, Second Place (Tie)
  • Sarah Altman, Best Sports Story, Second Place (tie)
  • Annie Waldman, Best Column, Second Place
  • Mollee Swift, Yearbook Layout, Third Place
  • Elizabeth Eidem, Best In-Depth Reporting, Second Place
  • Ashley Mason, Best In-Depth Reporting, Second Place
  • Josey Ryan, Best In-Depth Reporting, Second Place
  • Sam Simmerman, Best In-Depth Reporting, Second Place
  • Caitlyn Thomas, Best In-Depth Reporting, Second Place

Papillion - La Vista South High School

  • Jaidan Hanshaw, Yearbook Layout, Second Place (Tie)
  • Teagan Gaul, Best Sports Photo, Second Place (tie)
  • MacKenzie Peterson, Original Art/Computer, Third Place (tie)


Division B

Blair High School

  • Sky Harms, Best Yearbook, Second Place (Tie)
  • Camden Miller, Best Sports Photo, Third Place (Tie)
  • Bear Tracks, Best Newspaper, Third Place (Tie)
  • Amanda Hickle, Best Editorial, Third Place

Council Bluffs Lewis Central High School

  • Sean Hart, Best Sports Photo, Third Place (Tie)

Council Bluffs St. Albert High School

  • Drew Gronstal, Best In-Depth Story by Team, First Place
  • Maggie King, Best In-Depth Story by Team, First Place
  • Cody Athay, Best In-Depth Story by Team, First Place
  • Savannah Campbell, Best In-Depth Story by Team, First Place
  • Reed Miller, Best In-Depth Story by Team, First Place
  • Jared Gast, Best In-Depth Story by Team, First Place
  • Jackie Sindelar, Best In-Depth Story by Team, First Place
  • Isabel Pershing, Best In-Depth Story by Team, First Place
  • Emma Carlson, Best In-Depth Story by Team, First Place
  • Anna Schewe, Best In-Depth Story by Team, First Place
  • Kylie Collins, Best In-Depth Story by Team, Second Place
  • Cody Athay, Best In-Depth Story by Team, Second Place
  • Emma Carlson, Best In-Depth Story by Team, Second Place

Fremont High School

  • Alexa Mahnke, Best Feature Story, First Place
  • Olivia Wright, Best Feature Story, Second Place
  • Olivia Wright, Newspaper (Two-Page Layout), Second Place (Tie)
  • Austin Knippelmeir, Best Sports Story, First Place
  • The Rustler, Best Newspaper, Third Place (Tie)
  • Hayley Lambley, Best Review, First Place
  • Hayley Lambley, Best Review, Third Place

Glenwood High School

  • Nick Stavas, Best Sports Story, Second Place (Tie)
  • Tanner Williams, Best Cartoon, Second
  • Nick Stavas, Best Column, Second Place

Gretna High School

  • Gavin Struve, Best Editorial, First Place
  • Zoey Schulz, Best Feature Story, Third Place
  • Jada Scharff, Best Sports Photo, First Place
  • Emma Mayer, Best Art/Computer, Third Place
  • Cecily Jones, Best Advertisement, First Place
  • Cecily Jones, Best Advertisement, Third Place
  • Ben Randall, Best Long Form Audio, First Place
  • Eliese Simon, Best Sports Story, Third Place (3w tie)
  • Kinsli Auman, Yearbook Layout, First Place
  • Bariella Goday, Best News/Feature Photo, Second Place
  • Abby Leasure, Best Cartoon, Third Place
  • Ben Randall, Best Column, Third Place
  • Casey Downing, Best News Story, Third Place

Platteview High School

  • Jacob Muff, Best Video News Broadcast, Second Place
  • Dylan Conover, Best Video News Broadcast, Second Place
  • Nic Merrell, Best Advertisement, Second Place
  • Platteview High School News Staff Newspaper (Single-Page Layout), Second Place
  • Jacob Muff, Best Short Form Audio, Third Place
  • Jordyn Morely, Best Short Form Audio, Third Place
  • Jacob Muff, Best Video News Story, First Place
  • Katelyn Grubb, Best News/Feature Photo, First Place

Marian High School

  • Nora Fitzsimmons, Best Video News Broadcast, Third Place
  • Nayah Mbilain, Best Video News Broadcast, Third Place
  • Ariana Ganson, Best Video News Broadcast, Third Place
  • Taylor Sterba, Best Art/Computer, First Place
  • Sally Nobel, Best Art/Computer, First Place
  • Caitlyn Virgillito, Newspaper (Single-Page Layout), First Place
  • Abby Butler, Newspaper (Single-Page Layout), First Place
  • Kayla Gornall, Newspaper (Single-Page Layout), Third Place
  • Caroline Drew, Newspaper (Two-Page Layout), First Place (Tie)
  • Lily Blake, Newspaper (Two-Page Layout), First Place (Tie)
  • Audrey Otwell, Newspaper (Two-Page Layout), First Place (Tie)
  • Audrey Otwell, Newspaper (Two-Page Layout), Second Place (Tie)
  • Caroline Drew, Newspaper (Two-Page Layout), Third Place (Tie)
  • Lily Blake, Newspaper (Two-Page Layout), Third Place (Tie)
  • Caroline Drew, Best Long Form Audio, Third Place
  • Lilly Blake, Best Long Form Audio, Third Place
  • Caroline Drew, Best News Story, First Place
  • Jenna Cusik, Best Sports Story, Second Place (Tie)
  • Maria Alessandro, Best Sports Story, Third Place
  • Caroline Drew, Best Editorial, Second Place
  • Caroline Drew, Best In-Depth Story by Team, Third Place
  • Lily Blake, Best In-Depth Story by Team, Third Place
  • Network Newspaper, Best Newspaper, First Place
  • Kristin Beduhn, Yearbook Layout, Second Place (Tie)
  • Lily Blake, Best Review, Second Place
  • Ellie Farner, Best Column, First Place
  • Maria Piperis, Best Column, First Place

Mount Michael Benedictine High School

  • Bo Kai Zhang, Best Art/Computer, Second Place
  • Jacob Gathje, Newspaper – Two-Page Layout, First Place (Tie)
  • The Mount, Best Newspaper, Second Place
  • Bo Kai Zhang, Best Cartoon, First Place
  • Alex Schrier, Best News Story, Second Place

Omaha Benson High School Magnet

  • Vannia Duarte-Camacho, Newspaper (Two-Page Layout), Third Place (Tie)
  • Gizela Kwihangana, Best Sports Story, Third Place
  • Anthony Arenas-Rubiales, Yearbook Layout, Third Place (Tie)
  • Paw Thlay Wah, Yearbook Layout, Third Place (Tie)

Gross Catholic

  • Karlie Chonis, Best Sports Photo, Second Place
About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

Follow UNO on Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.