Participants in the Illinois Journalism Education Association's year-end celebration May 30 on Zoom clap after Alex Miranda (with family in the second-from-right panel on the bottom row) is named a member of the organization's All-State Journalism Team. (Credit: Zoom)

 

IJEA awards Journalist of the Year, All-State team

Like almost everything else during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois Journalism Education Association’s annual celebration of student journalists had a very different look and feel this year.

The All-State Journalism Team and Journalist of the Year Celebration, normally held at the Illinois Press Association office in Springfield, was held on May 30 where many of us now meet – on Zoom. Still, dozens of students, advisers, parents and IJEA board members participated in the event.

Following are the scripts that were read during the event to honor the Journalist of the Year, the Journalist of the Year runner-up, and the All-State Journalism team.

This year’s Illinois Journalist of the Year is Ryan Kupperman.

Prospect High School adviser Jason Block said Kupperman is one of the most valuable staff members he’s had these past four years.

“When I first met Ryan as a freshman in my Journalistic Writing I course, I had no idea just how big of an impact he would make on our program,” Block said. “He quickly emerged, however, as a student who refused to be outworked, always finding the time and energy to get one more interview, go through one more revision, ask one more follow-up question. His effort showed in the quality of the work he produced, as he quickly earned the trust and respect of his fellow newspaper staff members. This was proven when he was named executive news editor at the end of his freshman year, an honor typically reserved for people much older. Yet Ryan showed his peers that their trust was not misplaced, doing such a great job running the news section that he earned the role of copy editor his junior year and eventually editor-in-chief this year. To have those three leadership positions on his resume truly tells you all you need to know about Ryan: When he is given a challenge, he attacks it, never allowing the stress or pressure to get to him along the way.”

And while he’s stood out all four years he’s been involved with the Prospector staff, Block said this year he’s been particularly exceptional. He said his leadership has meant others feel seen, heard and supported. According to Block, Kupperman is a “dream leader” with a strong work ethic and a passion for helping others. He said these traits have made the Prospector newsroom a great place for staff to work this year.

Not only a standout leader, Kupperman also doesn’t shy away from a tough story. In his time on staff, he has tackled stories about race, school athletic policies and safety in a time of school shootings. Block said he’s one of the best in-depth reporters and writers he’s ever had.

Yet for all the accolades he’s earned, Kupperman said he’s determined to keep learning and growing. In his analytical essay, he focused on the special burden journalists face to get it right. To triple-check facts. To look at every angle. To ask the tough questions even when they make someone uncomfortable. To keep striving and striving until you’re sure everything is right and to be willing to admit when they’ve gotten something wrong.

“What sets journalists apart from the loudest voices is we have the courage and the faith to admit when we are wrong,” Kupperman said. “The same courage and faith that our Founding Fathers saw when they made journalism the only profession protected by the Constitution.”

Kupperman understands the weight of this responsibility and the importance of this work.

For these reasons, and more, we’re proud to celebrate Ryan Kupperman as Illinois Journalist of the Year.

Congratulations to Ryan and to his adviser, Mr. Block.

Our runner up for Illinois Journalist of the Year is Sarah Waters.

According to her adviser, Lisa Rossa, Niles West High School journalist Sarah Waters fights for what’s right and leads by example.

“What distinguishes Sarah from other young journalists in Illinois, I think, is her sharp, critical intellect,” Rossa said.  “She understands bureaucracy, accountability, the First Amendment, and the essential role reporters – accurate, objective reporters – play in speaking truth to power, in preserving democracy. Armed as such, she is steadfast in her commitment to reporting and calm in the face of conflict.”

Waters didn’t join the news staff until her junior year, but she did everything she could to make up for lost time.

“I spent the summer researching, preparing, and practicing my journalistic skills,” Waters said. “I taught myself how to write the different types of ledes, how to ask more open-ended questions in interviews, and even basic AP style. I wanted to do journalism, and I wanted to do it right.”

And do it right she has. In her two short years on the Niles West News online staff, Waters has distinguished herself enough that she was asked to edit two sections of the website. She also spoke up for and fought for publication of a story her school’s administration wanted her to take down.

“Early in the school year, administration inadvertently triggered a lockdown,” Rossa said. “Sarah interviewed students, teachers, and school administrators in the wake of the event. The story she published afterwards held fast to principles of objective reporting, and it exposed shortfalls in our threat readiness procedures. Specific issues with a faulty intercom system surfaced, and her story went on to cover reactions among students and staff both during and after the incident. Though it was a false alarm, Sarah's coverage touched a nerve.

“Administration brought the hammer down. Our brand new principal and her equally green assistant principal launched a campaign not to ‘censor’ but to badger Sarah into ‘self-editing’ the story: ‘What if something happens in an area with poor intercom coverage? Wouldn't you feel bad for exposing it?’ ‘Don't you care about school safety?’ ‘This makes us look so bad.’

“Emails were sent. Meetings were called. Parents were involved. Attorneys were consulted.

“Sarah stood her ground. And journalism worked. Administration addressed the intercom system and plans to adopt the run-hide-fight active shooter protocol beginning next year. She believed (as did I) her story fell safely within the bounds of the New Voices law protecting student publications. But she also knew that if administration pressed the issue, the decision would rest in court. She is dogged and determined, but she is not obstinate or arrogant.”

In addition to her work on the Niles West staff, Waters has also started an independent newsletter to inform readers about issues related to climate change. She says the experiences she’s had over the course of the past two years have led her to be passionate about pursuing a career in journalism.

“I aspire to produce journalism that effectuates meaningful change in the vein of making society more egalitarian and democratic,” she said.  “That journalism has a positive, tangible effect on society by exposing injustices and giving voice to those who, in a time of oft-sensationalist and exaggerated media, is often overlooked.”

For her passion, determination and willingness to speak truth to power, we’re proud to honor Sarah Waters as our runner-up for Illinois Journalist of the Year.

Congratulations to Sarah and to her adviser, Ms. Rossa.

Introducing the 2020 All-State Journalism Team:

Senior Jan Abel, Galesburg High School, is editor-in-chief of the GHS Budget newspaper. Jan’s adviser, Brad Bennewitz, says that her initiative, dedication and work ethic will be impossible to replace in the short term – and her imprint and influence will be felt for years through the ideas and high standards she brought to the publication and its companion website. In her application for the All-State team, Jan recalled that four years ago, journalism was nothing more to her than how her grandparents got their daily news. Now, she says,  “Through my time working for the GHS Budget, I have come to realize how important journalism is in keeping the world connected, from people in my grandparents’ generation to the classmates I sit next to in Algebra.” Congratulations to Jan and her adviser, Mr. Bennewitz.

 

Senior Carson Bierman, Oswego East High School, is editor-in-chief of the Wolf’s Eye yearbook. Her adviser, Colleen Calvey, says that although Carson’s name won’t appear on many pages in the Wolf's Eye, the book would not have been published on time without her. Calvey said:  “I have never worked with a student who is so dedicated to telling the story of the year. Her motto was to ‘be bold and tell stories’ and she held herself and her staff to this standard.” Carson herself says an administration directive that the book could no longer cover “non-school sanctioned events” was her biggest obstacle this year; she drew on her knowledge of the Illinois New Voices Law, met with her editorial board and organized a conference call with the Student Press Law Center in response. Carson and her staff were able to stick with their coverage plans, but that’s not the final step: She says, “I am working with next year’s editors so they can continue this fight after I graduate.” Congratulations to Carson and her adviser, Ms. Calvey.

 

Junior Sam Bull, Downers Grove North High School, is editor-in-chief of The Omega newspaper. His adviser, Elizabeth Levin, cited Sam’s mature work ethic and belief in excellence in nominating him for the All-State team. While The Omega is primarily a print publication,  Levin says that Sam has worked hard to change that – redesigning the site and reimagining the way the publication uses social media. Sam noted in his essay that his writing this year has spanned sections, topics and styles, including contributions of briefs, reviews, columns, long forms and commentaries. His adviser also called him “the driving force” behind The Omega’s senior issue, which was printed and distributed – in May, during the stay-at-home period. Sam says, “I have become a far better writer. I think my improvements allow me to give a voice to those who cannot or will not be heard.” Congratulations to Sam and his adviser, Ms. Levin.

 

Junior Amanda Cassel, University of Chicago Laboratory High School, is managing editor of the U-High Midway newspaper. Her adviser, Logan Aimone, notes that in her position, she could skim the most interesting pieces for herself, but most often she tackles a story with complexity or difficult sources. One was Amanda’s account of a meeting, organized by Student Council, after a second incident of racism at the school within a few months. She attended the meeting at lunch time, wrote the story that afternoon and posted it soon after that. Amanda says that she didn’t want such an important story “to slip through the cracks.” Amanda’s essay also highlights her commitment to developing staff members: Rather than assigning difficult stories to the more experienced staff writers, she began assigning difficult stories to newer staff members – and then provided enough support to help them deliver without taking over. Next year, Amanda will be one of three editors-in-chief for U-High Midway. Congratulations to Amanda and her adviser, Mr. Aimone.

 

Senior Sophie Converse, Richwoods High School, is editor-in-chief of Excalibur yearbook. Her adviser, Dan Kerns, says that Sophie’s leadership as editor-in-chief has been essential to successful completion of the Excalibur yearbook during the COVID 19 pandemic, as school closed three weeks before submission of the book. That meant that staffers had to adapt how they  gathered stories and accessed students for quotes, all while dealing with “sheltering in place.”  Although Kerns observed that it would have been easy to give up, Sophie described herself as “a machine on autopilot … focused on nothing but the yearbook.” She added, “I loved what I was doing, and the experience was extremely formative. It wasn’t a chore to design layouts or take photos because I thoroughly enjoyed the way it felt to create things. Congratulations to Sophie and her adviser, Mr. Kerns.

Senior Anastasia Correra, McHenry High School, is copy editor for the McHenry Messenger newspaper (print and online) as well as features editor for The Warrior yearbook. Her adviser, Dane Erbach, succinctly describes her work: “Stacy has owned both publications.” Mr. Erbach recalled a story about student athletes feeling pressure to make unhealthy decisions; the original version, submitted by another writer, was what he called “the bare minimum.” Stacy gathered more perspectives to clarify the story, and the article earned the paper recognition – just one example of a story that would not have been published without her work. Stacy says, “When I discovered journalism, I realized that my writing can not only affect me and how I feel about certain things, but it’s also used to help and inform other people. Journalism gives a voice to not only me but my peers as well, and it really bonds people.”  Congratulations to Stacy and her adviser, Mr.Erbach.  

 

Senior Grace Givan, Prospect High School, is editor-in-chief of The Prospector. Her adviser, Jason Block, says that Grace leads the staff with a combination of authority and compassion, and consistently takes on challenging stories simply because that’s where her curiosity takes her. She is always at the forefront of the decision-making process when The Prospector tackles controversial subjects, helping to determine the most responsible coverage. Grace herself says, “Journalism gave me the freedom to write articles about anything, and, therefore question my environment and value truth.” She added, “I’ve never valued journalism more than I do right now. The COVID-19 crisis has shed light on the importance and responsibility of journalists around the world — and that includes high school journalists.”  Congratulations to Grace and her adviser, Mr. Block.

 

 

Senior Grace Hutchison, Villa Grove High School, has been editor of the Vade Mecum yearbook for the past two years, a position in which she not only edits but also works on fundraising, sales and distribution. This year, Grace guided a transition to a book that includes embedded multimedia content. Her adviser, Brian Cordes, says that while it took some time for others to see what Grace envisioned for the publication, her leadership and willingness to lead by example prevailed. Every senior was interviewed to share their thoughts on life and their future plans. Grace says simply, “I got serious about yearbook as a junior. If I could redo one thing, I would have become more involved in the program sooner. My desire to capture the story of my youth motivated me to become involved in journalism. Good journalism is accurately telling a story.” Congratulations to Grace and her adviser, Mr. Cordes.  

 

Junior Robert Le Cates, Meridian High School, is layout editor for the Meridian Moments yearbook. His adviser, Sheila Moore, says of Robert:  “This young man will take home books on design trends, copywriting, layout, theme development every chance he can get. He is a resource to my other staff members, checking in on them, asking questions to figure out how best to guide them. He is a true asset.” Next year, he’ll be editor in chief of Meridian Daily News online and co-editor of the Meridian Moments yearbook. Robert says, “This year, while it might be my first in yearbook, has been the best year of my life. Before yearbook and our journalism program, I didn't have much going for me that I enjoyed. From learning about theme development to writing copy and how to use a camera, I instantly fell in love with yearbook.” Congratulations to Robert and his adviser, Ms. Moore.  

 

 

Junior Alex Miranda, Downers Grove South High School, is the video news director for the Blueprint and writes in every section for both the print and online publications. But his adviser, Mary Long, pinpoints something beyond his job description: Alex writes all of the program’s sensitive editorials because he is constantly thinking about the Society of Professional Journalists’ ethics code and always considers how his stories will affect others. Alex says, “Simply put, ‘good journalism’ is rooted in the conscientious efforts and ethical standards of the journalist themselves. In both my commitment to Blueprint as a writer and my growth through the program as an individual, I am proud to say I uphold these standards.” Next year, he will be online editor in chief. Congratulations to Alex and his adviser, Ms. Long.

 

Senior Reid Watkins, Normal Community High School, is in his second year as sports editor of the Inkspot. He manages a team of sportswriters and also serves as broadcaster for girls basketball and baseball. His adviser, Brad Bovenkerk, says that Reid understands that a journalist doesn’t just tell the popular stories; he realizes that everyone has a story to tell. His biggest contribution this year has been in providing a voice to often overlooked athletic programs. Reid says: “The most enjoyable part of my job comes from growing relationships with the coaches and athletes that I get to work with. As I have gotten more comfortable with the people I am reporting on, I am able to truly tell their story.” Congratulations to Reid and his adviser, Mr. Bovenkerk.

 

Senior Kayla Yakimisky, Huntley High School, is in her second year as editor-in-chief of the Harmony yearbook. Her adviser, Lauren Teeter, notes that Kayla’s strengths in design and writing have earned her both local and national recognition through the Illinois Women’s Press Association, National Federation of Press Women, and Quill and Scroll. Ms. Teeter describes her as “devoted, empathetic, and daring. Without hesitation I can say that she is one of the most hardworking people I’ve met.” Kayla says: “The heart of good journalism … relies on strong photos and compelling quotes directly from the student body. …I make sure our books are driven by the students on the page, not by a showy design or flowery copy. When people look back at their yearbook in 50 years, they won’t want to remember what Photoshop could do. They want to remember what life was.” Congratulations to Kayla and her adviser, Ms. Teeter.