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Maya Smith, senior Lawrence High School, was named the top student journalist of the state on Wednesday by the Kansas Scolastic Press Association.
Friends, colleagues, family members and school district staff appreciated Smith as a surprise as he gradually descended from the red stairs of the atrium of the school. KSPA Executive Director Eric Thomas met Smith near the bottom of the stages to announce the award.
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“We are here to celebrate Maya today,” Thomas said. “Not only his portfolio won the 5A/6A student journalist of the year, but he was named the top student journalist across the state.”
The award comes with $ 1,250 scholarship investigation. The competition is open to high school seniors. Three judges reviewed the submission, Thomas told the mob.
Each applicant was required to present a digital portfolio, which shows a picture working in the region, a high school transcript, which shows a overall GPA of 3.0 or more GPA, three letters of recommendations, a re -start and shows a personal essay.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Smith acts as a co-editor as the head of the Red and Black Year and has been on employees for three years. According to her staff bio, she writes, writes, designs and covers a live event.
Thomas stated that the judges “labeled Smith’s work as an extraordinary portfolio of materials from start to finish” and “” really strong images from such a balanced journalist. ” Thomas “described Smith as a truly committed journalist, providing his school and community to a solid, physical way.”
Maebelle Hamlin, a senior and co-editor of the year, said Smith works hard and never takes a day off.
“Whether it is a story or a design or photo assignment, she cares so deeply about these publications,” said Hamlin. “She is working with so many great people of LHS and so many previous editors. And I think she can really soak everything for himself and to get some success for our publications. ,
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Smith – which is planning to study in journalism after high school, possibly in KU – said that after the announcement, it was not quite soaked in reality.
Smith said, “I spent so much time on that portfolio, and I felt that I would, we would get results like a month from now, and I was not expecting today.” “This is just an honor. I do not even have any other word. ,
His portfolio will compete at a national level at the Journalism Education Association/National Scolastic Press Association Spiring National High School Journalism Convention in April in Canus City.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times Maya Smith, Center, celebrates with her family. On the left is his parents, Mike and Jerillin Smith. Maya’s grandparents -Dadi, Linda and Gary Gilbert stand on the right.
Smith’s parents, Jerillin and Mike Smith saw the celebration with Maya’s grandparents, Dadi, Linda and Gary Gilbert. Jerillin said that Maya has always been creative, artistic and an influential writer.
“I think she will probably continue to amaze us,” Jerillin said.
Mike said he felt incredibly proud of his daughter.
“The first article I read that he had done for the budget, I was blown,” Mike said about the school newspaper. “She was a professional. I was very impressed. ,
Smith’s Journalism Advisor, Barbara Tholle, said that the challenge of winning the Cancer Student Journalist of the Year Award would have to be displayed by the applicants.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Being a stellar reporter is not enough, Thol said. Applicants have to be good in everything, and Smith is one of those rare students. Thlen called him a “very difficult worker and talented” leader.
“I know she is going to do great work,” Thol said. “And it was just, you know, one of those fun days I am sure that there will be many good days for him as a journalist.”
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Smith is the second chest lion to receive honors in recent years. Quler Dun, an contributor for LHS Graduate and now Lawrence Times, earned the award in 2022.
“He has been recognized for that hard work, is very funny,” said Tholon.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times 2022 -year -old student journalist Quler Dun participates in the announcement on 21 February 2024.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times Maya Smith’s friends and colleagues posed for a picture on 21 February 2024.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times Maya Smith
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times Maya Smith and Lawrence Public School Superintendent Anthony Lewis
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
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Trichia Messenthine (that/her), equity reporter, can be reached at Tmasenthin (AT) Lawrencekstimes (DOT) com. Read more of his work for the time here. See her staff bio here.
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