Sept. 11, 2025

MINNEAPOLIS — The National Scholastic Press Association has named 468 finalists in its popular Individual Awards competition.

The winners will be announced at the NSPA Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Nashville.

After the winners are announced on Nov. 15, a gallery of the winners and honorable mentions will be shared on this website allowing student journalists and advisers to see all of the entries recognized in the competition. Slide shows featuring the winners will also be available for classroom use.

Climate change is one of the most important stories of our generation. This contests in partnership with the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, encourage local climate change reporting by scholastic media.

Student journalists were encouraged to use the Climate Matters in the Newsroom reporting resources, science-based reporting materials that are funded, in part, by the National Science Foundation.

The first-place winner earns $500, and the second and third place winners $300 and $200 respectively. Team reporting is permitted, and the cash prize will be divided among the names on the entry form.

Congratulations to the finalists in the following contest —

Individual Award finalists

Broadcast Story of the Year
Cartoon of the Year
Design of the Year
Digital Story of the Year
Photo of the Year
Story of the Year
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Reporting
Reporting on Systemic Change
Climate Change Reporting
Portfolio of the Year
Best Use of Social Media

Kathryn Winters
Scot Scoop
Carlmont High School, Belmont, California
New Cal Fire Wildfire Risk Maps Prompt Updated Safety Measures

Isabella Dasner
The Daily Howl
Castaic High School, Castaic, California
Fashion Sustainability Here on Campus!

Amalia Tormala
C Magazine
Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto, California
Leave Nature Alone

Elise Andrade, Naveen Narayanaswami, Dalia Saal
The Campanile
Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto, California
Legacy of Flames

Lily Brodsky, Addie Brutsch, Phoenix Dorninger, Maren Holecek, Mars Smith
The Mix
Monarch High School, Louisville, Colorado
Fighting for a Future

Andie Korenge
Eagle Eye News
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School , Parkland, Florida
Brace for Impact

Sage Gilliland
The Prospector
Prospect High School, Mount Prospect, Illinois
How Car-Dependent Suburbs Speed Us Toward Disaster

Ella Mangeot
Manual
RedEye
duPont Manual High School, Louisville, Kentucky
Recent Weather Events Prove the Necessity of Climate Change Initiatives

Madeline Fong, Nathan King, Ira Rodrigues
Panorama
Ladue Horton Watkins High School, St. Louis, Missouri
A Greener World

Mason Aguiar, Gus Creech, Devan Patel
Tower Broadcast News
The Masters School, Dobbs Ferry, New York
Locals Debate Future of the Knoll Amid Development Push