Whitney High School’s publication program earned 15 Journalism Education Association NorCal awards this spring, continuing the tradition of aiming for yearbook excellence through collaboration, creativity, and a deep culture of mentorship.
Six awards were presented April 26-28. by the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Seattle, recognized staffers and work from the yet-to-be-released 2025 yearbook. Senior editors Carson Nichols and Isabella Tomasini accompanied by advisor Sarah Nichols represented the publications program. The program won fourth place in Best of Show and their 10th First Amendment Press Freedom Award. Personal honors were awarded to Tomasini for a Honorable Mention for Photo Story and Nichols for Honorable Mention in Feature Writing. In addition to the JEA Awards, the National Scholarship Providers Association named Editor in Chief Emerson Kibby the Leadership in Student Journalism Scholarship winner and Tomasini earned Second Place in Editorial Leadership. Sarah Nicholas said the success reflects the students’ dedication to pushing themselves beyond their comfort zones.
“One of the biggest challenges was the staff took on types of storytelling and design they hadn’t done before,” Nichols said. “The ‘Defending 20’ section was way harder and more complex than any of us expected. But it became a labor of love for the editors-in-chief, and they nailed it.”
The ‘Defining 20’ section celebrated Whitney’s 20th anniversary by showcasing 20 aspects of school that help define campus culture. This idea served as a cornerstone for the book’s theme. Nichols noted that executing the vision took time, risk-taking, and feedback—but resulted in a product that stood out in statewide competition.
According to Tomasini, Whitney Media submitted entries across multiple contests available in the conventions Class A category. These included theme development, academic and life spreads, dividers, the cover, and the opening and closing sections. But the editor and chiefs had one entry that stood out to them.
“As EICs, we really lead the theme package,” Bella said. “We’re the ones who streamline the -design [of the yearbook] and articulate the theme visually. So that’s always the contest we care about the most.”
Tomasini, who has competed in multiple journalism contests during her three years in the program, said seeing her team’s work recognized is meaningful—but what matters most is seeing newer staff succeed.
“It definitely feels fulfilling,” she said. “I don’t really think of myself as a leader—I think of myself as a teacher. To see younger staff members win and know that I helped coach or inspire part of that process is just really humbling.”
That culture of mentorship is something Nichols said defines Whitney Media. For the first time, every member of the staff—including first-year students—designed their own spread, a responsibility usually reserved for only the most experienced students in other programs.
“Most staff don’t have first-year members designing spreads,” Nichols said. “I’m really proud that everyone on our staff had ideas and made contributions. That level of inclusivity really elevates the final product.”
The staff’s approach to revision and critique also played a major role. Nichols said she guided the team by encouraging experimentation and empowering them to refine ideas until they were competition-ready.
“I just try to nurture them and empower them to experiment,” she said. “When I’m proudest is when they’ve taken an idea, workshopped it, been open to feedback, and made it better.”
Still, this year’s success wasn’t guaranteed. Last year’s production cycle came with its own challenges—and the experience of those struggles shaped this year’s outcomes. Last year’s editor in chief Alyssa Folmer shared her experience with entering the 2024 yearbook into the same competitions.
“Worrying about receiving awards will always be a yearly stressor. I think many of [the staffers last year] felt unsure if the final product would reflect all the hard work we had actually put in, so we were focusing on the small things like spacing within the margins, placement of designs and whether or not a spread looked 100% printable,” Folmer said. “Once you’ve done the hard work in pubs you never really escape from it, and I still feel like a part of it even though I’m not. I’m honored that this year’s leaders continue the legacy that I and many others left behind.”
Nichols said entering contests is never the goal—but it helps students see their work validated by people beyond their adviser or school.
“We don’t do this work for awards,” she said. “But when an expert judge—someone from outside our school—says it’s excellent, that’s really powerful for students. It confirms their work is elite.”
Looking ahead, Bella said she hopes the culture of mentorship continues as new staff rise into leadership roles.
Nichols said that passing-down of knowledge is what keeps Whitney Media’s legacy strong.
“There’s a feeling when you walk into the room and see the plaques and banners,” Nichols said. “Students recognize they’re part of something bigger. They want to keep that tradition alive—and I think that’s what legacy looks like.”
BY: CLAIRE CURTIS, KIERA GREGORY & HANNAH JANSSEN
