Private School Journalism Association contest finalists
Quill and Scroll is pleased to announce the finalists in the 2025 PSJA competition.
The finalists listed below are divided by category and listed in alphabetical order. The winners will be announced April 26 at the JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Seattle.
Here is the full list of finalists:
Editorial Leadership
Ellery Kerrigan, Lucia Sugich, Faith Gwati, Xavier Prep, Phoenix, Arizona
Eshna Das, Lee Monistere, Dalia Sandberg, St. John’s School, Houston, Texas
Valentina Vera, Kristin Chuang, Rebecca Lopez, Tekle Skiles-Januta, Gemma Arya, Frances Bell, Josie Stempel-Jung, Karalim Cruikshank, Westridge School, Pasadena, California
Continuous Team Coverage
La Salle Falconer staff, La Salle Catholic College Preparatory, Milwaukie, Oregon
Valentina Vera, Katie Labao, Jane Kim, Westridge School, Pasadena, California
Valentina Vera, Kristin Chuang, Rebecca Lopez, Jane Kim, Karalim Cruikshank, Westridge School, Pasadena, California
Freshman of the Year
Harry Alig, St. John’s School, Houston, Texas
Henry Beck, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Payton Tu, St. John’s School, Houston, Texas
Sophomore of the Year
Catherine Sime-Mackintosh, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sloane Singerman, Latin School of Chicago, Chicago
Wanya Zafar, St. John’s School, Houston, Texas
Junior of the Year
Bella Dodig, St. John’s School, Houston, Texas
Emmett Strackany, La Salle Catholic College Preparatory, Milwaukie, Oregon
Omkar Tikalal, Trinity Preparatory School of Florida, Winter Park, Florida
News Writer of the Year
Finnuala Christensen-McElroy, La Salle Catholic College Preparatory, Milwaukie, Oregon
Kieran Crist-Kenworthy, La Salle Catholic College Preparatory, Milwaukie, Oregon
Mary Wang, Brimmer and May, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Features Writer of the Year
Kristin Chuang, Westridge School, Pasadena, California
Meher Sareen, The American School in London, London, England
Sarah Zobel, Trinity Preparatory School of Florida, Winter Park, Florida
Sports Writer of the Year
Ben Kleiman, Trinity Preparatory School of Florida, Winter Park, Florida
Gabe Cohen, Brimmer and May, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Laila Taraporevala, The American School in London, London, England
Opinions Writer of the Year
Kieran Crist-Kenworthy, La Salle Catholic College Preparatory, Milwaukie, Oregon
Omkar Tikalal, Trinity Preparatory School of Florida, Winter Park, Florida
Rohan Muni , Brimmer and May, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Photographer of the Year
Ezra Victor, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Johnny Ye, The Masters School, Dobbs Ferry, New York
Sims Skaff, Davidson Day School, Davidson, North Carolina
Social Media Journalist of the Year
Frances Bell, Westridge School, Pasadena, CA
Mikail Khan, St. John’s School, Houston, Texas
Versatile Journalist of the Year
Gabrielle Williams, Trinity Preparatory School of Florida, Winter Park, Florida
Harper Coleman, La Salle Catholic College Preparatory, Milwaukie, Oregon
Sophia Kim, St. John’s School, Houston, Texas
Designer of the Year
Alexandra Theofilopoulou , The American School in London, London, England
Ella Hughes, St. John’s School, Houston, Texas
Rina Kobayashi, The American School in London, London, England
