May 20, 2025

Eleven Liberty High School students traveled to the Journalism Education Association (JEA)/National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) Spring National Journalism Convention on Apr. 23–27 in Seattle, Wa. The group included seniors Braden Altrup, Lilly Brown, Caitlin McDonnell, and Amber Sethaler, juniors Will Nolan and Ella Quinney, sophomores Jackson Adams, Lexi Hufty, Kate Stroud, and Ellie Simon, and freshman Kelsey Altrup.

At the convention, attendees participated in sessions, workshops, critiques, and competitions. Three seniors—Lilly Brown, Braden Altrup, and Caitlin McDonnell—were selected to lead sessions after submitting proposals and being accepted to speak. One of the sessions had an audience of nearly 100 students, making their presentations an impressive feat. Brown was also recognized with first place in editorial leadership.

(Photo provided by Jonathan Hall)

LHS PUBLICATIONS NATIONAL AWARDS AT JEA/NSPA JOURNALISM CONVENTION IN SEATTLE 

JEA First Amendment Press Freedom Award recipients

Innovation Pacemaker Finalists

JEA NATIONAL MEDIA CONTESTS

Honorable mentions

Video package editing- Braden Altrup

First year photo- William Nolan

Portrait photo- Lilly Brown

Sports action photo- Caitlin McDonnell 

Yearbook copy captions (academics)- Kelsey Altrup

News Writing- Amber Sethaler

Superior

Review Writing- Lexi Hufty

JEA NATIONAL QUIZ BOWL Finalists (Final 4)

Lilly Brown, Ella Quinney, Jackson Adams, Lexi Hufty

NSPA BEST OF SHOW CONTESTS

Editorial leadership- 1st place- Lilly Brown

Broadcast video- 5th place- Will Nolan, Kate Stroud, Parker Sethaler, Amber Sethaler

Design: Newsmagazine – 7th place – Meghan Lynch, Loukya Vaka

Reporting: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion- 5th place- Kristiauna Brown

Sports action photo- 9th place- Lilly Brown

Reporting: News story- 10th place- Emily Nguyen