We are excited to announce that the 2020 Nebraska High School Journalist of the Year is LeAnne Bugay from Bellevue West High School.  JEA State Director, Marsha Kalkowski, MJE, was able to catch her by phone in journalism class on March 12, and said it was an awesome feeling to be on speakerphone when her staff celebrated.

LeAnne will receive $500 from the Nebraska High School Press Association at the NSAA State Journalism Contest on April 27 in Norfolk.  She has a chance at the National prize of $3,000 to be awarded at the JEA/NSPA Spring Convention in Nashville, April 16-18.

Nebraska’s Runner Up is Lucy Tu from Millard North High School.  Lucy’s adviser is Sarah Crotzer. You can view her portfolio here: https://ltu439.wixsite.com/joyportfolio

Lucy has earned $250 from the Nebraska High School Press Association and she will also be briefly recognized at the NSAA State Journalism Contest on April 27 in Norfolk.

We have also named two semi-finalists who are worthy of commendation:

Kaitlyn Willard of Millard West

(check out her portfolio here: https://katiewills815.wixsite.com/joy2020 )

and

Emma Whaley of Omaha Central

(check out her portfolio here: https://emmawhaley2002.wixsite.com/website )

CONGRATULATIONS to these incredible young journalists who put their heart and soul into their student publications.