The Mirror triumphs with multiple awards at national journalism convention

Major wins include Pacemaker, Gold Crown and Gold Circle awards
Byline photo of Alyson Cerna
By Alyson Cerna, News and Features Editor
May 5, 2025
The Editors-in-chief Madison Thacker and Olamide Olumide hold the online Pacemaker award for the Spring 2025 National High School Journalism Convention.
The Editors-in-chief Madison Thacker and Olamide Olumide hold the online Pacemaker award for the Spring 2025 National High School Journalism Convention.
THE MIRROR | Ronald Goins

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:

First Place

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

Second Place

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

Third Place

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

Honorable Mention / Certificate of Merit

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

Quill and Scroll Awards:

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

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About the contributor
Alyson Cerna
Alyson Cerna, News and Features Editor
Alyson Cerna is The Mirror’s News and Features Editor. As a sophomore in her second year in journalism, there is nothing she enjoys more than laying down with a single airpod in and blasting music as she writes. She’d be lying if she ever pinpointed a single music genre to be her favorite, but nothing is the same as enjoying the album “THE FIRST TIME” by The Kid Laroi. Her obsession with the “Nightmare Before Christmas” might be what many consider eccentric, but she likes it that way—as no amount of stuffed animals, figurines and clothes could ever cure this. After high school, she plans to pursue a degree in sports journalism at UCLA.
Donate to The Mirror
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Contributed
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