As we turned the calendar to January, WisJEA challenged student journalists across the state to make a fresh start! From new resolutions to new perspectives on old traditions, our students delivered.

Our panel of judges reviewed 10 entries this month, and while the field was competitive, two pieces stood out as true exemplars of the craft.

Finding the Voice: Hamilton High School

Tirish Suresh and Nathan Tran of Hamilton High School (advised by Sarah Kowalske) took home recognition for their print piece, “Lifting in the Gym for the First Time? Here’s What You Need to Know.“ While gym advice is a staple of January journalism, Tirish and Nathan elevated the topic with a voice that was both hilarious and informative. One judge raved about the imagery, noting that “giving informative advice while keeping a unique voice makes this a really engaging story.”

A New Lens on Tradition: Black River Falls High School

At Black River Falls High School, Lyniah Coon (advised by Julie Tiedens) captured the judges’ attention with her yearbook spread, “Regalia.” By shifting the focus of traditional powwow coverage to the intricate details of the regalia itself, Lyniah found a fresh, impactful angle. “The visual design is professional quality and super engaging,” one judge noted. “It is an incredibly unique and fresh angle to take… and makes it really impactful.”

Looking Ahead

Congratulations to our winners and their advisers! Every entry this month adds to our statewide leaderboard as we head toward the “School of the Year” honors in May.

Get ready for February!  Submissions are due February 25th. Enter here.