The Journal witnessed a moment of significant achievement this spring as Editor-in-Chief Ava Campbell was named the 2025 Indiana High School Journalist of the Year by the Indiana High School Press Association (IHSPA). Her reflections offer a glimpse on the moments that shaped her, the lessons learned and the unexpected emotions that accompanied her award-winning work.
What does winning this award mean to you?
It’s a really big honor, because it means that I am in the category as some people I really look up to, like (former State Journalists from SHS) Madelyn Knight and Drew Tapp. So even to be compared or put in the same category as those people is really special to me just because I really admire them.
Why do you admire these people?
(Journal members are) still talking about them, which means they had to be really good. Drew Tapp is the one that took us from newspaper to newsmagazine. They’ve done a lot of notable things for The Journal that I think (have) made us better.
What did you have to do to apply for the award? What was the process like?
I had to submit an online portfolio. So the way I did it, I made a Canva website. I had to include things from every field, like I put a bunch of stories that I’ve done on there and then broadcast journalism and photography. There was (also) marketing, commitment to diversity and other categories. For each story, I had to write a paragraph on why I chose it, why it was important and if I won any awards. I had to write a personal narrative which was pretty much just explore your journey in journalism. I had to make a resume of what I did each year in The Journal and my skills.
What was the most difficult part of the process?
Definitely the online portfolio just because it was so hefty. I had a lot of requirements, and it took a very long time.
Did you have to do anything new to add to your portfolio?
So to make myself a little bit more well-rounded, I did a broadcast video with our videographer about the possibility of ICE coming to schools. I sat down with Dr. Spray and got to talk to him, and that was really a lot of fun. I wish that I’d done it sooner. I also did two photo galleries, one of powerpuff, which was in the fall, and then girls basketball.
What did you receive for this award?
I got a plaque that has my name on it, and I also got a $1,000 stipend.
What did you receive emotionally from this award?
I received lots of support, and it made me very thankful that I have so many people cheering for me. People told me “good job,” and it’s so sweet of everybody.
When did your passion for journalism begin?
Probably when I took journalism freshman year. (Even though) I didn’t love it … , I really liked writing stories. And I think joining The Journal sophomore year just really made me committed more than I was originally.
Why did you continue journalism after your first year?
Well, I was a Features reporter sophomore year, and then junior year, I was going to be Sports editor, and it was really exciting. I was pretty much just really excited to be an editor, because I love sports, and I was excited to manage a team. Then from junior year to this year, obviously it was just managing a bigger team, and that’s something that I enjoy.
What is your favorite part of journalism:Writing? Editing? Designing? Leading?
Probably the leading part just because I find a lot of purpose in helping people. So when I get to sit down with people and talk them through their stories or restructuring things or figuring out how they can do something, and then them being able to do it on their own after that, it’s just very fulfilling.
What is your favorite memory during your years in The Journal?
My favorite memory would be when Mr. K called me to ask me if I wanted to be Editor-in-Chief. It was really emotional for me, because I wasn’t very confident that I would get it. I wasn’t a very outgoing person my sophomore and junior year, so I was really honored to get that position, because it means he believed in me.
You’ve spent four years in room 400. What does your time on The Journal mean to you?
My time on The Journal is really everything. It’s pretty much all that I do … It’s my number one priority, and it’s the number one thing that I look forward to. I love being in this room, and I am in here all the time just because I like it so much.
What are some personal things that you’ve learned from being in The Journal? How has it changed you as a person?
I used to be really self-conscious and also not very outgoing. I didn’t talk to anybody except Sophie sophomore year, so then becoming Sports editor, obviously I had to talk to people. And then this year, I talked to everybody. So it taught me pretty much to give people a chance, because I am still worried that people will judge me, but (I learned) it doesn’t really matter. I was excited to get to know everybody, and now I am excited (I) get to know everybody because I gave people a chance and made myself talk to people. Now, I really care about them.
Are you planning to pursue journalism after high school?
I haven’t made a decision yet. But in my mind, I am either going to IU for journalism or Purdue for engineering, probably mechanical engineering. But right now, I am not really sure.
