2025 Fred Ross Systemic Change Student Journalism Competition

NSPA honors winners in the Fred Ross competition

Nov. 15, 2025

National Scholastic Press Association salutes the winners of its 2025 Fred Ross Systemic Change Journalism Competition competition.

NSPA’s Individual Awards are among the top prizes in scholastic media, and the awards are a showcase of journalistic excellence.

Winners were announced during the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Media Convention, on Nov. 15, in Nashville.

Fall 2025 Pacemakers
Broadcast
Newspaper/Newsmagazine/ Specialty Magazine

2025 Individual Awards
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
Fred Ross Systemic Change Student Journalism Competition
Local Climate Change Reporting
Portfolio of the Year
Best Use of Social Media

Nashville Best of Show
Individual Recognition
Staff Recognition

First Place
Joanna Lee
On the Record
duPont Manual High School
Louisville, Kentucky
Out of Sight, Out of Line

Second Place
Sophia Bateman, Tara Behbehani
The Standard
The American School in London
London, England
Lads’ Lunch Seeks to Redefine Manliness Through Conversation

Third Place
Aurora Gilbertson
On the Record
duPont Manual High School
Louisville, Kentucky
Dreams of Tomorrow

Fourth Place
Luke Boggs
On the Record
duPont Manual High School
Louisville, Kentucky
Tools of Transformation

Fifth Place
Maggie Stone
On the Record
duPont Manual High School
Louisville, Kentucky
Public Funding, Private Interests

Honorable Mention
Donya Ihmoud
FHCtoday
Francis Howell Central High School
Cottleville, Missouri
Finding Refuge

Ela Patel-Euler
The Highlander
McLean High School
McLean, Virginia
Activists for Armenia

Peter Radosh
The Prospector
Prospect High School
Mount Prospect, Illinois
Disruptive Empathy

Rooke Wiser
Tower
The Masters School
Dobbs Ferry, New York
Student Journalism Under Attack