Ladue Horton Watkins High School student journalists made a powerful impression on the national stage this month at the 2025 Journalism Education Association / National Scholastic Press Association National High School Journalism Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. With more than 5,000 student journalists in attendance, Ladue Publications stood out as one of the top programs in the country—earning prestigious national awards across multiple publications and individual categories.

The Panorama Newsmagazine earned the coveted Pacemaker Award, the highest honor in scholastic journalism. Often described as the “Pulitzer Prize of student media,” the Pacemaker recognizes the nation’s top publications based on quality, innovation, and excellence in reporting and design.

In the Best of Show competition, Ladue’s publications earned multiple top-five national placements:

• ID Feature Magazine – 4th place, Specialty Magazine
• Panorama Newsmagazine – 4th place, Newsmagazine
• Rambler Yearbook – 4th place, Yearbook
• Melodrama Literary Magazine – 5th place, Literary Magazine

Two Ladue seniors received standout national recognition:

• Fiona Van Allen – Named National Scholastic Press Association’s Artist of the Year
• Celina Zhou – Top 10 Finalist & Honorable Mention, Designer of the Year

Individual awards also included top placements in writing, design, photography, reporting, illustration, ethics, and more—highlighting the remarkable breadth of talent within the program.

National Scholastic Press Association Winners

• Madeline Fong, Nathan King, and Ira Rodrigues placed second in Local Climate Change Reporting with “A Greener World.”
• Vincent Hsiao placed second in Spread Design with "Full Throttle."
• Josh Devine and Madeline Awad placed third in Infographic Design with "Game, Set, Pickle."
• Vincent Hsiao earned an honorable mention in Environmental Portrait with "Triple Threat."
• Maya Mathew earned an honorable mention in Cover Design with "ID."

JEA National Student Media Contest Winners

• Fiona Van Allen won Superior in Literary Magazine: Illustration
• Rylie Dolan won Superior in Yearbook Copy/Caption: Academics
• Madeline Awad won Superior in Review Writing
• Madeline Fong earned an Excellent in Broadcast Newswriting
• Aiyana Ungacta earned an Excellent in First-Year Photo
• Katie Jansen earned an Excellent in Literary Magazine Poetry
• Laken Hadley earned an Excellent in Yearbook Layout: Inside Pages
• Meagan Zimmerman earned an Excellent in Yearbook Copy/Caption: Student Life
• Josh Devine earned an Excellent in Press Law and Ethics
• Celina Zhou earned an Excellent in Newsmagazine Layout
• Adelaide Flintrop earned an Excellent in Commentary Writing
• Luke Ye earned an Honorable Mention in Photography Portfolio
• Sydney Gao earned an Honorable Mention in Yearbook Cover/Endsheets
• Ivana Todorova earned an Honorable Mention in Yearbook Copy/Caption: Sports
• Tiya Kaul earned an Honorable Mention in Newspaper Layout
• Isaac Zelinske earned an Honorable Mention in News Editing/Headline/Current Events
• Emery Mao earned an Honorable Mention in Editorial Cartooning
• Mason Eastman earned an Honorable Mention in Sports Writing
• Marie Demkovitch earned an Honorable Mention in Newswriting

LHWHS Journalism Teacher and Publications Adviser Sarah Kirksey shared how meaningful these experiences are for students:

“These conferences breathe life into our media program–my students always come back invigorated and ready to improve on themselves and our reporting. I couldn't be more proud or impressed by our kids, and seeing them rewarded for all of their hard work is always a highlight. 

When Fiona Van Allen was named the Artist of the Year, seeing our entire media program go crazy was one of the coolest moments I've had as an adviser. She is so, so deserving of this recognition, and I love how much everyone celebrated her in that moment." 

From top publications to nationally recognized student leaders, the success of Ladue Publications reflects the talent, creativity, and determination of the students—as well as the dedication of their teachers and advisers.

Congratulations to all LHWHS journalism students for this extraordinary achievement! Your work makes us #LadueProud.