photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Journalism adviser Barbara Tholen, from left, senior Zana Kennedy, Cuyler Dunn and Maya Smith are pictured on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.

For the second year in a row, a student journalist from Lawrence High School was selected as the Kansas Student Journalist of the Year.

Senior Zana Kennedy was presented with the award on Monday by her journalism adviser, Barb Tholen, in a surprise ceremony attended by LHS students and staff and Kennedy’s family. In addition to the recognition, she received $1,250 in scholarship money. Kennedy has been a staff reporter on the school’s newspaper for three years and editor-in-chief of the print publication for two years.

“I’m lucky to share this moment from two perspectives,” Tholen said. “One is as an incredibly proud adviser. The other is as a representative of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association.”

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Senior Zana Kennedy hugs her mom, Cami Kennedy, on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. Her dad, Jeff Kennedy, is at left.

As the Journal-World reported, two LHS student journalists have previously earned this statewide honor, including Maya Smith in 2024 and Cuyler Dunn in 2022. In addition, LHS alumna Traci Carl earned second place in the state contest in 1991.

The best student journalists in the state submit portfolios for this award, and judges include school publication advisers, university instructors and former Scholastic Press professionals. Judges were impressed with Kennedy’s in-depth portfolio, which featured reporting, extensive research, coverage on important topics and valuable leadership of her fellow staff members, Smith said when presenting Kennedy with her scholarship money.

“From breaking news to features, from sports to opinions, this portfolio is as exceptional as it is expansive,” said a judge about Kennedy’s portfolio. “All are well reported, sourced and researched with a consistent quality that rivals commercial journalism.”

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Lawrence High School students gather to congratulate senior Zana Kennedy for being named Kansas Student Journalist of the Year on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.

In the spring, Kennedy’s portfolio will be sent to the national competition, where several judges will review the portfolios of all state winners and select a national winner with four runners-up. They will also award additional scholarships. The Journalism Education Association and National Scholastic Press Association’s Spring National High School Journalism Convention will be in Seattle on April 24-26.

“Your hard work and your persistence paid off, and I can’t wait to see what comes next,” Tholen said to Kennedy.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

The Lawrence High School journalism students gather to congratulate senior Zana Kennedy on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.