Nebraska high school students earned three first places, five second places, seven third places and seven honorable mentions in the National Federation of Press Women High School Communications Contest. Winners were announced during a May 14 awards ceremony held via Zoom.
First-place entries in the Nebraska Press Women High School Communications Contest advanced to the national round of competition. The contest recognizes students in 23 categories that include writing, photography, graphics, layout, broadcast, video and yearbook.
Nebraska’s national winners are from 11 schools – Adams Central Junior/Senior High School in Hastings, Bellevue East High School, Bellevue West High School, Dorchester Public School, Elkhorn North High School, Gretna East High School, Marian High School in Omaha, Millard North High School in Omaha, Millard South High School in Omaha, Plattsmouth High School and Westside High School in Omaha.
First-place honorees are:
- News Story – Rylee Newman, Millard South High School, Omaha, Code Red.
- Cartooning – Zach Schilmoeller, Millard South High School, Omaha, Crying over Candy Tax.
- Graphics/Photo Illustration – Jonathon Reiners, Adams Central Jr/Sr High School, Hastings, Committed.
Second-place winners are:
- Editorial – Chelsea Mahloch, Elkhorn North High School, Omaha, It’s Time for a New Chapter.
- Sports Story – Reese Beery, Gretna East High School, Omaha, In Face of Pain, Junior Cross Country, Track Athletes Show Determination, Grit.
- Sports Photo – Gage Vondra, Westside High School, Omaha, Breaking Limits.
- Video Sports Story – Macey Jarose and Tyler Epstein, Millard North High School, Omaha, Signing a New Start.
- Yearbook Photo – Haylie Briggs, Plattsmouth High School, Plattsmouth, Student Section.
Third-place winners are:
- Feature Story – Brianna Yang, Bellevue East High School, Bellevue, Bellevue East Students Take Advantage of College Prep Courses.
- Columns or Blogs – Chelsea Mahloch, Elkhorn North High School, Omaha, Message Failed to Send.
- Single page layout – Dominika Kouassi, Marian High School, Omaha, December Front Page.
- Double-truck layout – Hailey Schweitzer, Dorchester High School, Dorchester, A Built-in Best Friend.
- Radio/Television Interview or Talk Show – Ryan Kelly, Westside High School, Omaha, Full Court Press Featuring Emre Gedik.
- Best Newscast: Radio or Television – Ashley Heisler, Grace Vidlak, Tyler Epstein, Macey Jarose, Mackenzie Carter, Simon Damrow and Salman Muse, Millard North High School, Omaha, The Blue View, Dec. 4, 2024.
- Yearbook Copywriting – Gabrielle Theis, Dorchester High School, Dorchester, Snowy Sports.
Honorable mention awards went to:
- Opinion – Elan Perry, Elkhorn North High School, Omaha, Bridge the Divide.
- News or Feature Photo – Jamison Hanway, Millard South High School, Omaha, Proud Mama.
- Environment – Sloane Houston, Westside High School, Omaha, WHS Recycling PSA.
- Radio or Podcast Prepared Report – Lucas Pechacek, Bellevue West High, Bellevue, Unpeeling History S3:E4: Watergate.
- Video News Story – Grace Vidlak and Macey Jarose, Millard North High School, Omaha, Bond Breakdown.
- Video Feature Story – Angela Zheng, Millard North High School, Omaha, A Helping Hand.
- Yearbook Layout – Laci Smith, Gretna East High School, Omaha, Making it Count.
A list of all the national winners, along with links to first-place entries, is available at https://www.nfpw.org/2025-high-school-contest-winners.
