{"id":623381,"date":"2025-09-11T13:20:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T18:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/?p=623381"},"modified":"2025-09-10T21:27:02","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T02:27:02","slug":"2025-digital-story-of-the-year-finalists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/2025-digital-story-of-the-year-finalists\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Digital Story of the Year finalists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sept. 11, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 The National Scholastic Press Association has named 468 finalists in its popular Individual Awards competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The winners will be announced at the NSPA Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Fall National High School Journalism Convention<\/strong> <\/a>in Nashville.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations to the finalists in the following Digital Story of the Year contests \u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Multimedia News Story
<\/a>Multimedia Feature Story
<\/a>Multimedia Sports Story
<\/a>Photo Slideshow
<\/a>Interactive Graphic
<\/a>Podcast<\/a>
Blog<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Individual Award finalists<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Broadcast Story of the Year<\/strong>
<\/a>Cartoon of the Year<\/strong>
<\/a>Design of the Year<\/strong>
<\/a>Digital Story of the Year<\/strong>
<\/a>Photo of the Year<\/strong>
<\/a>Story of the Year<\/strong>
<\/a>Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Reporting<\/strong>
<\/a>Reporting on Systemic Change<\/strong>
<\/a>Climate Change Reporting<\/strong>
<\/a>Portfolio of the Year<\/strong>
<\/a>Best Use of Social Media<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Multimedia News Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

listed by state<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
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Addya Agarwal, Chloe Chu, May Lin, Anna Ypodimatopoulou
<\/strong>Scot Scoop
Carlmont High School, Belmont, California
Celebrate the Music 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isabelle Ling
<\/strong>Scot Scoop
Carlmont High School, Belmont, California
Media Interest Post-Election Shifts Towards Community Engagement<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julia Abair, Chloe Blair, Abbey Elalouf, Ben Lehman, Clayre Woodruff
<\/strong>The Mix
Monarch High School, Louisville, Colorado
Setting Off the Truth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff<\/strong>
Odyssey Media Group
Clarke Central High School, Athens, Georgia
2024 Election Package<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff<\/strong>
Odyssey Media Group
Clarke Central High School, Athens, Georgia
Looking Back on Black History Month<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mary Wang
<\/strong>The Gator
Brimmer and May School, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Gym Construction Disrupts Parking, Pick-Up, and Drop-Off<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ainsley Jay, Karis Tam, Jeffery Zhang, Kyle Zhang
<\/strong>Wayland Student Press Network
Wayland High School, Wayland, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Reevaluates Graduation Requirement<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zimo Xie
<\/strong>The Rubicon
St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minnesota
Winter Formal Provides a Space to Decompress with Friends<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia Fagone, Evelynn Lin, Matthew Ramirez
<\/strong>The Panther Press
Strath Haven High School, Wallingford, Pennsylvania
Off or On?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James Libresco, Noah Sternberg
<\/strong>Theogony
Alexandria City High School, Alexandria, Virginia
Plane Crash at DCA<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Multimedia Feature Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

listed by state<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
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Liz Liu
<\/strong>El Estoque
Monta Vista High School, Cupertino, California
MVHS Alum Ruri Kobayakawa’s Journey as a Firefighter<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff<\/strong>
The Redwood Bark
Redwood High School, Larkspur, California
A Compiled Report of the Current State of Social Media<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff<\/strong>
Odyssey Media Group
Clarke Central High School, Athens, Georgia
After Apalachee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jay Deegan, C.J. Getting, Sarah Segvich
<\/strong>Central Times
Naperville Central High School, Naperville, Illinois
Youth Voices Amplified<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lydia Cruce, Shanza Sami
<\/strong>West Side Story
Iowa City West High School, Iowa City, Iowa
Music On the Mind<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gabe Cohen, Tavio Mares-Van Praag
<\/strong>The Gator
Brimmer and May School, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Beyond the Buzzer: A.J. Reeves<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mary Wang
<\/strong>The Gator
Brimmer and May School, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Sparking a School-Wide Push-Up Craze<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Achilles Caranto, Zelina Panissidi, Hunter Rhee, Adrienne Vera-Perez
<\/strong>Southwest Shadow
Southwest Career and Technical Academy, Las Vegas, Nevada
The Harmful Effects of a Modern Lifestyle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oskar Doepke, Ruby Rogers
<\/strong>The Standard
The American School in London, London, United Kingdom
LGBTQ+ Students Grapple with Homophobia, Belonging<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sophia Hsu, Yasmine Rivera
<\/strong>The Standard
The American School in London, London, United Kingdom
Period Stigma, Ignorance Bleeds Through Community<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Multimedia Sports Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

listed by state<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
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Minna Abdalla, Evelyn Kraber
<\/strong>West Side Story
Iowa City West High School, Iowa City, Iowa
How Women’s Wrestling Found a Home in Iowa City<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seyun Park
<\/strong>The Pitch
Walter Johnson High School, Bethesda, Maryland
Volleyball Spikes Past Vikes, Advances to First Regional Final in 12 Years<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tavio Mares-Van Praag
<\/strong>The Gator
Brimmer and May School, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
From Underdogs to Champions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thomas Chen
<\/strong>The Rubicon
St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minnesota
Track and Field Shines at Conference Championships<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jack Cranmer, Keva Elie, Aaron Linden, Charlotte Nesevich
<\/strong>WordsWorth
Moorestown Friends School, Moorestown, New Jersey
Super Bowl LIX: The Game, the Show, and the Experience<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Riley Smith, Matteo Ventresca
<\/strong>The Panther Press
Strath Haven High School, Wallingford, Pennsylvania
Girls Soccer Wins State Championship<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minori Kunte, Hiral Patel
<\/strong>The Sidekick
Coppell High School, Coppell, Texas
Jain Exemplifying Taekwondo Excellence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zachary Ford
<\/strong>Kingwood Park Times
Kingwood Park High School, Kingwood, Texas
Reyes Emerges as Vocal Leader One Year After Joining Team, Learning English<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wesley Brodeur, Christine Han, Joaquin Perez, Addyson Schick
<\/strong>WTV Daily Update
Liberty High School, Frisco, Texas
Memories Made as Redhawks Beat Memorial<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noelle Quintin, Laila Taraporevala
<\/strong>The Standard
The American School in London, London, United Kingdom
John Farmer Reflects on Journey from Varsity Athlete to Director of Athletics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Photo Slideshow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

listed by state<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
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Vera Marinescu
<\/strong>Spyglass Westridge School, Pasadena, California
Documenting the Loss of My Home After the Eaton Fire<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrew Collaku
<\/strong>The Oracle
Glenbrook South High School, Glenview, Illinois
V-Show Unites South Performers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jay Deegan, C.J. Getting, Sarah Segvich
<\/strong>Central Times
Naperville Central High School, Naperville, Illinois
2024 Democratic National Convention<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bryce Kenny, Olin Nafziger, Orlie Weitzman
<\/strong>U-High Midway
University of Chicago Laboratory High School, Chicago, Illinois
Exchange Students Arrive from China<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff<\/strong>
U-High Midway
University of Chicago Laboratory High School, Chicago, Illinois
Moments of Intensity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lily Chen
<\/strong>The Spoke
Conestoga High School, Berwyn, Pennsylvania
Save Chinatown Coalition Organizes Rally<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew Ramirez
<\/strong>The Panther Press
Strath Haven High School, Wallingford, Pennsylvania
Cantata Returns to New York City<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayla Nguyen
<\/strong>The Sidekick
Coppell High School, Coppell, Texas
Cowgirls Pummel Lady Cavaliers in State Championship, 6-2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caroline Kraft
<\/strong>FHCtoday
Francis Howell Central High School, Cottleville, Texas
Springing Toward the End<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seth Johnson
<\/strong>Voice
Vandegrift High School, Austin, Texas
Varsity Boys Basketball Upsets Westlake<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Interactive Graphic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

listed by state<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
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Micaela Rubinsky, Amari Witt
<\/strong>M-A Chronicle
Menlo-Atherton High School, Atherton, California
M-A’s Most Significant Demonstrations Through Time<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ben Mueller, Morgan Sicklick
<\/strong>The Redwood Bark
Redwood High School, Larkspur, California
Board of Trustees Discusses Yondr Phone Pouch Implementation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maya Diaz
<\/strong>The Mirror
Van Nuys High School, Van Nuys, California
Controversial Book Bans Spark National Debate in Schools<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frances Bell, Tekle Skiles-Januta
<\/strong>Spyglass
Westridge School, Pasadena, California
Annual Spyglass Senior Survey<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bea Roberts
<\/strong>The Pitch
Walter Johnson High School, Bethesda, Maryland
Looking Back on My Year Abroad in Germany<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thomas Chen
<\/strong>The Rubicon
St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minnesota
Explore Our Local Reviews<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harper Coleman, Audrey Waters
<\/strong>The La Salle Falconer
La Salle Prep, Milwaukie, Oregon
How U.S. Paid Leave Policy Fails Families<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lillian Gray
<\/strong>The Shield
McCallum High School, Austin, Texas
Lack of AC Becoming a More Heated Issue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alan Tang
<\/strong>The Highlander
McLean High School, McLean, Virginia
McLean Community Mourns D.C. Plane Crash Victims<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zoe Karibian, Rania Raj
<\/strong>The Standard
The American School in London, London, United Kingdom
Confronting Racist Humor Culture in School Community<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Podcast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

listed by state<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
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Kaarlo Anderson, Arthur Bonifield, Kevin Ngo
<\/strong>DPNews
Dos Pueblos High School, Goleta, California
Fishy Business<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lucas Trexler, Townes Widger
<\/strong>DPNews
Dos Pueblos High School, Goleta, California
Around the Track: Behind the Popularity of Track and Field<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aletheia Ju, Yixuan (Joyce) Li
<\/strong>El Estoque
Monta Vista High School, Cupertino, California
On Our Own Frequency<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff<\/strong>
CCNN Live
Christopher Columbus High School, Miami, Florida
A Conversation with Mayor Francis Suarez<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Light Dohrn
<\/strong>U-High Midway
University of Chicago Laboratory High School, Chicago, Illinois
Dungeons & Dragons Fosters Creativity, Connection<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emma Lai
<\/strong>West Side Story
Iowa City West High School, Iowa City, Iowa
Our Journey to Worlds<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maggie Stone
<\/strong>On the Record
duPont Manual High School, Louisville, Kentucky
Missing Work<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rhea Chowdhary, Wendy Le
<\/strong>The Sidekick
Coppell High School, Coppell, Texas
Once a Cowpoke, Always a Cowpoke<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James Libresco, Will Price, Isabel Shultz
<\/strong>Theogony
Alexandria City High School, Alexandria, Virginia
Dissecting DEI<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hila Hakimi, Vitalina Ulitovska
<\/strong>DHS Press
Dominion High School, Sterling, Virginia
Crying Over College<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Blog<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

listed by state<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
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Daryna Hriaznova
<\/strong>The Pearl Post
Daniel Pearl Magnet High School, Lake Balboa, California
“When a few air raid alarms interrupted us”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isabelle<\/strong> Kok<\/strong>
El Estoque
Monta Vista High School, Cupertino, California
Ill-Advised<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bela Parrett
<\/strong>The Northmen’s Log
Oak Park High School, Kansas City, Missouri
Bela’s Movie Blog: “Nosferatu”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harper Coleman
<\/strong>The La Salle Falconer
La Salle Catholic College Preparatory, Milwaukie, Oregon
How U.S. Paid Leave Policy Fails Families<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maddy Park
<\/strong>The Sidekick
Coppell High School, Coppell, Texas
Older Presidents’ Cognitive Abilities Restrict Their Competency<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sydney Ortiz
<\/strong>Kingwood Park Times
Kingwood Park High School, Kingwood, Texas
“In the Heights”Amplifies Cultural Pride<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lea Garcia-Salazar
<\/strong>WTV Daily Update
Liberty High School, Frisco, Texas
The Benefits Behind Taking Naps<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff<\/strong>
The Shield Online
McCallum High School, Austin, Texas
300 Words<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mabrey Stokes
<\/strong>The Review
St. John’s School, Houston, Texas
Astros Fans Grapple with Minute Maid Park’s Name Change<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarah Alvarez-Martin
<\/strong>The Standard
The American School in London, London , United
Kingdom Feast or Flop: Cucumber Salad<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sept. 11, 2025 MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/623381"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=623381"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/623381\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":623557,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/623381\/revisions\/623557"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=623381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=623381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/nspa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=623381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}