ELKINS, W.VA – Senior Kelan Lavate of Elkins High School has been selected as the 2024 West Virginia Journalism Student of the Year and will represent the state in the Journalism Education Association’s National High School Journalism Convention in the Journalism Education Association in Canasus City earlier next month.
Kelan lavate
His presentation to win the honor included a journalist and his leadership, team building, web and social media design, photo journalism, writing, editing and reporting a story about his experience.
Lavate confessed to being “News Gunky” of Vajra’s “Talk of the Town”, which prefers to write and develop that passion at an early age.
“I have always liked to write,” said Lavate. “I remember that whenever I had a chance, writing books in the third grade, and I remember that the teachers told me that I have to do something other than that.”
Lavate moved from Texas to Elkins last year and quickly became a member of the journalism program at High School.
“For broadcast, I act as a technical director, ensuring that everything works – lighting system, sound and everything,” said Lavate. “I also write and work as a news reporter for the newspaper, and I am also in the debate team.”
The Journalism Education Association/National Scolastic Press Association included media tours, JEA Outreach Academy, a trade show and broadcast competitions.
“They would provide the opportunity to become workshops and a more stable journalist,” said Lavate. “And this is a chance for me to be recognized as West Virginia Student of the Year.”
Lavate said that there are differences in media coverage between West Virginia and Texas. In Texas, he said that there is very little writing about the environment and more about politics. West Virginia Media Coverage provides more intensive information at the county level and is more individual.
“The West Virginia News System is a whole as much more individual, with much more individual stories than Texas, where they have more overlapping news discussions,” said Lavate.