Schools
Niles West Journalist Wins Prestigious Award
A student at Niles West High School in Skokie recently landed first place in the National Scholastic Press Association's story of the year competition.
Niles West student Gabby Abesamis, a news editor for the high school's paper, received first place in the National Scholastic Press Association’s (NSPA) Story of the Year competition (Diversity category). She received her award on Nov. 18 at the NSPA fall convention held in San Antonio, Texas. Abesamis’s story “Bryan Taico, Not Just the Kid with the UGGs” was published in April 2012 and named a finalist in the Story of the Year contest in September.
When explaining why they selected Abesamis's story, the judges commented, "The reporter did a masterful job of telling the story of one teen’s coming out through simple, clear writing backed up by solid multi-source reporting," judges from the NSPA said. "The variety of interviews and the timely news peg elevated this story beyond many of the other compelling entries that contained just one source. This is a model of good journalism for student journalists and adults alike to emulate."
The Story of the Year award is considered the highest individual honor a publications student can receive at the national level. To read the winning article, click here.
