Yet again, the NEHS-Harvard Crimson Student Journalism Award exceeded all expectations with an astounding volume and exceptional quality of submissions from NEHS chapters worldwide, showcasing a diverse range of journalistic themes.
We are thrilled to announce that all winners, listed below, will receive financial awards. Additionally, the 1st place winners have the incredible opportunity to participate in a prestigious summer internship at the Harvard Crimson.
Read on to see our wonderful winning articles and publications and look out for more about the 2027 NEHS-Harvard Crimson Student Journalism Award soon!
Student Publication Award
1st Place: The Eaglet, Jose Marti STEM Academy, NJ
The Eaglet, the student-run newspaper at Jose Marti STEM Academy, NJ, was founded in 2021. From the very beginning, Ms. Weisman, a Jose Marti STEM Academy mentor and English teacher, has run the newspaper and guided students in writing and journalism. The mission of The Eaglet is to offer JMSA students a voice and a platform to express their opinions on current news and events, both within the school and around the world. The Eaglet has covered a wide range of topics, including articles on school life, AP course selection, and Jose Marti STEM Academy’s theater shows, as well as exploring global topics such as diverse types of literature, video games as a form of storytelling, the Olympics, musical artists, and more. For students at JMSA, writing for The Eaglet helps students improve their skills, share their creative ideas, and feel inspired while also keeping the school community informed.
Editorial Board Members:
Kelly Tenempaguay is a junior at Jose Marti STEM Academy, NJ, and serves as the Managing Editor of The Eaglet. She actively participates in the National English Honor Society, Robotics Club, Student Council, and Society of Women Engineers, and has conducted research through Project SEED. Kelly enjoys volunteering with school clubs and engaging in community activities. She is passionate about reading and exploring literature, which inspires her writing and creativity. Kelly enters writing competitions and hopes to further develop her skills as she continues her journey through high school. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and discovering new books. She is committed to studying engineering and building a career in the field.
Darlene Camac is a senior at Jose Marti STEM Academy, NJ, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of The Eaglet. She also holds leadership roles as president of YCAC, president of the National Honor Society, and publicist of National Social Studies Honor Society. She is very passionate about writing, and she enjoys contributing to the school newspaper by sharing engaging stories with her friends. She is fascinated by science and plans to pursue a career in biology, aspiring to become a microbiologist. In her free time, she enjoys reading, exploring innovative ideas, and finding inspiration in literature, which highlights both her academic and creative ambitions in life.
Daniela Pacheco is a freshman at Jose Marti STEM Academy, NJ, and serves as Copy Editor for The Eaglet. She is eager to improve her skills and contribute to the school newspaper while sharing stories that engage her peers creatively and thoughtfully. Daniela enjoys reading, writing, baking, and drawing, since she finds that writing provides a creative way to express herself. Her passion for storytelling inspires her work in journalism and her approach to working on The Eaglet. Daniela plans to pursue a career in the medical field, with aspirations of becoming a pediatrician or NICU nurse.
2nd Place: The Lion’s Print, Ursuline Academy New Orleans, LA
The Lion’s Print is in its third year of production and its first year on a regular publishing schedule and under its current name and brand. We have a team of around seven regularly contributing members and a full team of 28. We publish once a month and cover school, New Orleans, and other social events as well as topics members find interesting or enjoyable. Every issue has a lunch review, Words of the Week, and spotlights of students, clubs, and art. We love getting the chance to figure out how to manage and produce a school paper and giving students a venue to share their thoughts and writing abilities.
Editorial Board Members:
Originally from Virginia (and then Tennessee), Olivia Erspamer is a senior in Louisiana and most of her non-school related time is spent bowling, student council-ing, quiz bowling, newspapering or theater tech-ing. She loves history (especially American history), politics, baseball, reading thrillers, learning Welsh, and Lego. She has three younger siblings and two dogs, Rex and Roux. In the future she plans to study political science and economics at the University of the South to then pursue a life of public service through policy and government. Having grown up in a loud, competitive, and loving family, she doesn’t shy from a challenge and a good laugh when a game gets chaotic. At the end of the day, she lives by the philosophy that you should always put in a good and honest effort and a genuine positive attitude inside and out really makes a difference.
Meredith Becker is a senior at Ursuline Academy of New Orleans. She is planning on majoring in English in college and will be attending Tulane University or Louisiana State University. At school, she serves as the club chair on her school’s Student Council Executive Board, and in 2023, she became the editor of her school’s first student newspaper, The Lion’s Print, in which she currently writes editorials. She is a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National Art Honor Society, and joined National English Honor Society in 2024. In her free time, she enjoys reading, running, listening to music, and making art.
3rd Place: The Charter High Academic Times, City of Pembroke Pines Charter High School, FL
Founded in 2000, The Charter High Academic Times, commonly known as The CHAT, is the student-run, online newspaper of Pembroke Pines Charter High School, and is committed to delivering impactful, student-centered journalism. Covering campus life, sports, local news, arts and entertainment, news, and alumni stories, the publication has evolved into a dynamic platform that includes online and multimedia content. The Charter High Academic Times was ranked the number one online high school publication in the state of Florida by the Florida Scholastic Press Association (FSPA) in 2024 and is currently a finalist for the award in 2026. The staff’s work has received statewide recognition, including All-Florida ratings and Best of the Best honors. Through multimedia, written articles, and their podcast The Jagwire, the publication continues to amplify student voices and spotlight our greater community.
Editorial Board Members:
Erioluwa Fatimilehin is a senior at Pembroke Pines Charter High School in Florida. She is currently one of the Co-Presidents of her school’s NEHS chapter, and one of the Co-Managing Editors of her school’s newspaper: The CHAT. She enjoys reading rom-com books and memoirs, while admiring scenery outside. Her love of literature stemmed from its ability to allow people to express themselves through writing and creating a personal connection with others.
Julianna Perez is currently a senior at Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS), and the Editor-in-Chief of The CHAT. She is an active member of the PPCHS NEHS chapter at Pembroke Pines. She is passionate about her future in the journalism industry but appreciates literature and the arts in her free time. Her favorite thing about literature is being able to immerse herself in different worlds and stories that impact people around the world.
Janeyliz Baez is currently a senior at Pembroke Pines Charter High School and writes for The Charter High Academic Times (CHAT) online publication. She started writing for The CHAT as a sophomore where she became the columns editor for the 2023-2024 school year and is now currently the Multimedia Editor-in-Chief for the 2025-2026 school year. In her dedication to the journalism field, she began the Journalism Honor Society chapter at her high school in which she is president.
Senior Marlee Jaworski attends Pembroke Pines Charter High School. She has been a part of the PPCHS NEHS Chapter for two years and dedicates much of her hard work and time toward the program. She is also the other Co-Managing Editor of The CHAT. Jaworski admires how literature brings out her creative outlet and plenty of new perspectives on unique stories to which she shares with her Pembroke Pines community.
Evan Omana is a student at Pembroke Pines Charter High School, where he is currently in the 12th grade. He is a member of the PPCHS NEHS chapter at Pembroke Pines. Evan has always enjoyed reading and writing, which is what drew him to literature in the first place. One thing he especially loves about literature is the way it sparks his imagination and creativity. Whether he’s reading a classic novel, drafting a short story, or analyzing a poem, literature allows Evan to express himself and think in new ways.
Student Article Award
1st Place: “Scroll, Stress, Repeat: Who Is Responsible for Teen Mental Health in the Age of Social Media?” Brooke Barber, Livingston High School, NJ
Brooke Barber writes for The Lance. Founded in 2015, The Lance, also known as Lance News, was created to give students a space to share their voices and write about what matters to them. From the start, the goal has been to highlight student perspectives, whether that means bringing attention to critical issues or simply exploring personal interests. Published monthly, The Lance includes sections on school and local news, hard news, sports, entertainment, opinion, and lifestyle. It also features a freelance section where students can submit poetry and illustrations, making the publication a place for both journalism and creative expression. In addition to print, select articles are published on the school’s website, especially those connected to current events within the school or across the state. Over time, The Lance has grown into a consistent platform for student voices, reflecting the interests, concerns, and creativity of the community it represents.
Brooke Barber is a high school junior from New Jersey with a strong passion for advocacy, storytelling, and the pursuit of justice. An engaged student in the AP Capstone program, she enjoys exploring complex issues through research, writing, and thoughtful discussion. Brooke has a particular interest in criminal justice reform and mental health, inspired by her academic experiences and independent reading. Beyond the classroom, she channels her creativity into writing and debate. She is also drawn to opportunities in acting, where she can bring stories to life and connect with audiences. Known for her curiosity and drive, Brooke seeks to use her voice to create meaningful change while continuing to grow as both a student and a storyteller.
2nd Place: “Embracing Our Identity,” Sofia Molina, Jose Marti STEM Academy, NJ
The Eaglet is a student-led newspaper at Jose Marti STEM Academy, founded in 2021, that serves the school community by covering school events, student life, real-world issues, and relevant topics for students. The publication is produced by members of the Newspaper Club, who meet regularly to write and edit articles under the guidance of faculty advisor Mrs. Jeanne Weisman. The Eaglet publishes multiple issues throughout the academic year on a seasonal basis (fall, winter, and spring) and is distributed electronically through the newspaper website for the school community. The newspaper provides a platform for student voices while informing readers about notable events and interesting subjects for young people.
Sofia Molina is a junior at Jose Marti STEM Academy with a strong interest in law, politics, and international relations. She serves as vice president of the National Honor Society and is president of the Spanish Honor Society, where she helps lead initiatives that promote academic excellence and cultural engagement. Sofia is also the founder of a civic initiative dedicated to supporting immigrant communities by helping individuals understand documentation and navigate the naturalization process for US citizenship. In addition, she is a writer for the school newspaper, The Eaglet, where she focuses on topics relevant to student life at her school. She is also a member of the National English Honor Society and Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society. Outside of school, she enjoys exploring diverse cultures, listening to music, and spending time with her family.
3rd Place: “Income Inequality and Poverty,” Zhiyan Cui, Qingdao Daewon School, China
POV is the student newspaper of Qingdao Daewon School. Established as a platform for student journalism and expression, the publication was created to give students a voice in documenting school life, sharing diverse perspectives, and engaging with issues that matter to the school community. The newspaper has featured news, opinion pieces, interviews, creative writing, and coverage of academic, athletic, and extracurricular events. Reflecting the international character of Qingdao Daewon School, POV has encouraged students to explore local and global issues while developing their skills as writers, editors, and critical thinkers.
Zhiyan Cui is a student at Qingdao Daewon School with a strong passion for mathematics and chemistry, disciplines that inspire curiosity and provide a deeper understanding of the world. Beyond the sciences, Zhiyan is an avid reader and writer who enjoys exploring ideas through literature and creative expression. Through participation in academic and writing competitions, Zhiyan seeks to challenge and develop new skills while pursuing academic excellence. In the future, Zhiyan hopes to continue competing in mathematics and writing contests and remains committed to working hard to achieve these goals.
National English Honor Society
The National English Honor Society (NEHS), founded and sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, is the only international organization exclusively for secondary students and faculty who, in the field of English, merit special note for past and current accomplishments. Individual secondary schools are invited to petition for a local chapter, through which individuals may be inducted into Society membership. Immediate benefits of affiliation include academic recognition, scholarship and award eligibility, and opportunities for networking with others who share enthusiasm for, and accomplishment in, the language arts.
America’s first honor society was founded in 1776, but high school students didn’t have access to such organizations for another 150 years. Since then, high school honor societies have been developed in leadership, drama, journalism, French, Spanish, mathematics, the sciences, and in various other fields, but not in English. In 2005, National English Honor Society launched and has been growing steadily since, becoming one of the largest academic societies for secondary schools.
As Joyce Carol Oates writes, “This is the time for which we have been waiting.” Or perhaps it was Shakespeare: “Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer . . .” we celebrate English studies through NEHS.
National English Honor Society accepts submissions to our blog, NEHS Museletter, from all membership categories (students, Advisors, and alumni). If you are interested in submitting a blog, please read the Suggested Guidelines on our website. Email any questions and all submissions to: submit@nehsmuseletter.us.
