Spotlight’s first print issue of the year brought home a second place award for team reporting from Youth Journalism International this past weekend.

“This project breaks down complex questions about the rights of American citizens in a very approachable manner,” judges said of the September 22 issue (pictured here). “We appreciated hearing young journalists consider questions about freedom of speech – including whether it is a right extended to student-run press organizations – and grapple with the role of the press in today’s world. The best articles included local reporting, including one debate teacher’s reflections on freedom of speech. The photos and other media, such as posters drawn by students, were perfect accompaniments to the stories.”

The second place award highlighted a weekend that included 15 awards in Ball State’s annual high school J-Day competition and three other awards from Youth Journalism International.

The September 22 issue previously was awarded the David Adams Award from the Indiana High School Press Association. Adams was a longtime professor at Indiana University who was a champion of First Amendment rights.

Ball State winners included:

Youth Journalism International is an organization based in Maine that supports scholastic journalism efforts worldwide. Last year Eggers was named runner-up for YJI student journalist of the year, an award won in 2018 by BD alum Evelyn Sanchez.