Introduction to High School Journalism Contest
For about 30 years, the South Florida Sun Sentinel has honored the best high school journalists. Students from 15 schools in Broward and Palm Beach counties entered the annual contest with material published in the 2024-25 school year. Congratulations to the young journalists of tomorrow.
News Writing Category
The news writing category showcased the best of high school journalism, with the following winners:
- First Place: Isabelle Dimant of Olympic Heights High School The Torch, for “All In: The Gambling Problem Amongst High Schoolers in Boca Raton.”
- Second Place: Natalia Dzielnicka, Andie Korenge, Victoria Damaso, Ava Thomas, Ella Bernbaum and Crystal Goes of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Eagle Eye, for “MSD students and staff give back to their community on seventh annual Day of Service and Love.”
- Second Place: Angelina Popov-Easton and Ayla Kayan of South Broward High School Bulldog Bark, for “Regalia Rules: SBHS’s New Way To Prevent Cord Shopping” and “Securing Students: An Inside Look At The New Security Detections System.”
- Honorable Mention: Ava Thomas of Marjory Stoneman Douglas Eagle Eye, for “MSD undergoes large renovation effort.”
Feature/Entertainment Writing Category
The feature/entertainment writing category highlighted the creative talents of high school journalists, with the following winners:
- First Place: Ayla Kayan of South Broward Bulldog Bark, for “Longing to Belong.”
- Second Place: London Franklin of Dreyfoos School of the Arts The Muse, portfolio.
- Third place: Bianca Carbo of Olympic Heights The Torch, for “From the Runway to the Stage: OH Theatre Presents Boeing Boeing.”
- Honorable Mention: Andie Korenge of Marjory Stoneman Douglas Eagle Eye, for “Terms & Conditions.”
Commentary Category
The commentary category showcased the opinions and perspectives of high school journalists, with the following winners:
- First Place (tie): Lily Craig, South Broward Bulldog Bark, opinion cartoon portfolio.
- First Place (tie): Regan Dorval, Diani Encarnacion, Patrick Gohl, Saanvi Indukuri and Blair Picchiarini of Pompano Beach High School Tornado Times, portfolio.
- Second Place: Alexander Pekala of Coral Springs Charter Paw Print, portfolio.
- Third Place: Liliana Kirby of Dreyfoos School of the Arts The Muse, for “We’ve Lost the Plot; The decline of required reading in the classroom hinders student literacy rates.”
- Honorable Mention: Griffin Petti of Dreyfoos School of the Arts The Muse, for “The Wrongs of Parental Rights.”
- Honorable Mention: Lila Goldin of Dreyfoos School of the Arts The Muse, for “Politics is BRAT; Political posts on social media engage a younger audience.”
- Honorable Mention: Tori Scaglione of Olympic Heights The Torch, for “Is the G.L. Homes Expansion Worth It?”
- Honorable Mention: Erica Dybas, Sakina Jaferi and Price Springer of Spanish River High School The Galleon, for “Face-Off” portfolio.
- Honorable Mention: Lane Stabinski of NSU University School The Catch, for “Love Island: Fun, Sun, and Drama!” and “Trouble on Djerf Avenue.”
Sports Writing Category
The sports writing category highlighted the athletic achievements and stories of high school journalists, with the following winners:
- First Place: Charlotte Handel of Dreyfoos School of the Arts The Muse, for “Jaguars on Forest Hill Boulevard” and “Lunch League of Their Own.”
- Second Place: Emmanuel Baptiste of Pembroke Pines Charter The CHAT, for “Unbeaten Boys Jaguars’ Soccer Run Ends in Heartbreak.”
- Third place: Carolina Ochoa and Matthew John of Marjory Stoneman Douglas Eagle Eye, for “Pay to Play.”
- Honorable Mention: Daniel Wu of Park Vista High School Cobra Chronicle, for “How I learned to shoot free throws (my lesson with Landon).”
- Honorable Mention: Marjory Stoneman Douglas Eagle Eye staff, for “Victory visit.”
- Honorable Mention: Sarah Silig of South Plantation High School Sword & Shield, for “Broward County Spends Another Year Acknowledging Young Rising Female Athletes at ‘Play Like a Girl’ Event.”
- Honorable Mention: Brielle Estrin of Park Vista Cobra Chronicle, for “Ready, Set, Bowl.”
- Honorable Mention: Madison Casanova of Pembroke Pines Charter The CHAT, for “Representing the Tricolor: Catalina Castro’s journey with the Colombian national team.”
Awards Presentation
The South Florida Sun Sentinel presented its annual awards to high school journalists at the Deerfield Beach printing plant on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Students, teachers, and families toured the plant as part of the ceremony.
