On its fifth-straight year of continuously sweeping the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention for Best of Show and winning its first Online Pacemaker — along with dozens of other awards and recognitions — The Mirror is once again celebrating its achievements following our Editors-in-Chief and advisor’s attendance at the convention on April 24-26, 2025, in Seattle, Washington.

The Mirror has received back-to-back Pacemaker awards for the past three years, with this year marking its first online Pacemaker achievement, accompanied by a Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CPSA) Gold Crown and the most first place and overall Gold Circle awards.  

With a total of eight first place awards and 24 recognitions, the following have achieved:

General Feature

“Quinn Hutchison: The youngest history teacher you’ve ever had” – Madison Thacker

Editorial Writing

“The age of the political dinosaur” – Staff

Sports Commentary

“The world of sports is riddled with inequality. It’s time to change that” – Isabel Valles

Headline Writing

Staff Package

Briefs Writing

Staff Package

Photographs Portfolio of Work

Gianna Iovino

News Page Design

“Are headphones killing your brain?” – Brianna Alvarado

Sports Page Design 

“Girls’ flag football makes herstory” – Brianna Alvarado

Single Sports Photograph

“Ultimate showdown between the alumni and current volleyball teams” – Christopher Monterrosa

News Feature

“Silenced…” – Delmis Vaquerano

Caption Writing

Staff Package

Art/Illustration — Hand Drawn

“On Life Support” – Isabela Arca

Cartoon

“Detoxing: Retake control of your life” – Adrianna Bean

Single Sports Photograph

“Fast as lightning” – Gianna Iovino

Photo Layout — Full Page

“A Bloodbath to Remember” – Brianna Alvarado

Computer-Generated Illustration

“The N-Word” – Daimler Koch

News Writing

“New insurance policy leaves PA in a lurch” – Madison Thacker

Sidebar Writing

“We regret to inform you…Not every college you want wants you” – Lindsay Han

Photo Illustration

“Batter Up” – Gianna Iovino

Cultural Feature

“Cultural feature” – Brianna Alvarado

Photo Slideshow

“VNHS dance program sells out a hit show” – Staff

Computer Generated Illustration

“Superficial Feelings” – Abigail Kim

Feature Page Design

“Is Love Just a Chemical Reaction?” – Brianna Alvarado

Also announced at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention include the awards for the Quill and Scroll, with the following seven achievements awarded to staff from The Mirror:

First Place

Editorial Cartoon 

Illustration – Brianne Tolentino

Newspaper Front Page Design

Front page layout – Abigail Kim

Second Place

Profile Writing

Profile article – Adrianna Bean

Health, Science & Agriculture Writing

Madison Thacker

Third Place

Feature Photography

Feature photo – Jalyn Bautista

Features Page Design — Single Page

Brianna Alvarado

Honorable Mention

News Writing

Delmis Vaquerano