The WNA Foundation on Thursday, March 5 celebrated Wisconsin’s outstanding student journalists, announcing the winners of its 2025 high school Better Newspaper Contest during the Branen Family Student Luncheon held as part of the 2026 WNA Convention at the Madison Concourse Hotel in Madison.
The 2025 High School Better Newspaper Contest featured 128 entries from five student newspapers.
The Wisconsin JEA High School Journalist of the Year is Kyra Balch from Indian Trail High School and Academy. In recognition of this achievement, Balch will receive a $1,000 scholarship, made possible through the MPC Endowment Ltd., a philanthropic affiliate of the Milwaukee Press Club. As the state winner, her materials will also be submitted to the national Journalism Education Association Journalist of the Year competition. The national winners will be announced during the Spring National High Journalism Convention in Minneapolis from April 16-18.
The Wisconsin JEA also announced a Wisconsin All-State Journalism Team for the first time.
In addition to Balch, other members of the team included:
• Alyssandra Becker from Indian Trail High School & Academy;
• Madelyn Rybak, from Pulaski High School;
• Grace Edenborg from Menomonie High School; and
• Ben Breining from Black River Falls High School.
Warrior’s Word (Wausau West High School), Cardinal Columns (Fond du Lac High School) and The Spartan Spin (Superior High School) received the top three honors in General Excellence.
Complete listings of the BNC high school winners, judges’ comments and all winning submissions may be accessed via the online gallery or the 2025 High School Tab.
