Ava Smith, a high school senior at Indian Trail High School and Academy and Copy Editor and Podcast Staff for The Blaze Yearbook, demonstrated exceptional leadership through helping organize the workflow for the yearbook staff and helping teach journalism skills to her peers. The judges noted that she has the skills of a natural newsroom director, a difficult feat to achieve at her age.
In the photo, Wisconsin JEA President Matt Smith presented Ava Smith with her award certificate during the WNA Convention’s Student Honors Luncheon, held March 7, 2025 at the The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club (WNA photo by Chris Mertes).
The WNA Foundation on Friday, March 7, 2025 celebrated Wisconsin’s outstanding student journalists, announcing the winners of its 2024 high school Better Newspaper Contests during an awards ceremony held as part of the 2025 WNA Convention at the Madison Concourse Hotel in Madison.
The 2024 High School Better Newspaper Contest featured 115 entries from eight student newspapers across 12 categories.
The Wisconsin JEA High School Journalist of the Year is Ava Smith from Indian Trail High School and Academy. See more photos of the high school contest winners, the student editor panel and the WNA career fair held after the luncheon here.
The Red ‘n Green (Berlin High School), The Purple Sage (Waunakee High School) and Cardinal Columns (Fond du Lac High School) received the top three honors in General Excellence. The schools’ journalism programs will each be awarded a $1,000 Branen Scholarship.
Complete listings of all the high school winners, judges’ comments and all winning submissions may be accessed here.
A link to a separate tabloid section with the high school award winners may be accessed here.
