Four years of involvement in journalism at Gretna Public Schools (GPS) has paid off for senior Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-Chief of The Wingspan, as she has been named Nebraska Student Journalist of the Year by the Journalism Education Association – Nebraska, a first in GPS history.
“I was glad that my senior year could sort of end this way, cause it is such a great honor,” she said.
The prestigious honor recognizes the top high school journalist in the state and includes a $1,500 scholarship. As Nebraska’s recipient, Petrick will now advance to the national level of competition through the Journalism Education Association (JEA), where she will compete for the National Student Journalist of the Year title. National winners will be announced next month at the Spring JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Minneapolis.
“I’m excited to compete at nationals,” she said. “I know for a fact that a Nebraska person has never won, and I think the award has been around since the ‘80s, so that would be really cool.”
Petrick earned this honor by submitting a comprehensive portfolio of her work, including writing, editing, design and leadership within the journalism program.
“Madie exemplifies what scholastic journalism is all about, and her portfolio shows that,” Gretna East Media adviser Ranae Duncan said. “Her commitment to ethical reporting, thoughtful storytelling and mentoring younger staff members has elevated our publication and strengthened our newsroom culture.”
The Wingspan staff members also recognize those characteristics in Petrick.
“Watching her devote so much time to journalism throughout the years, there’s nobody else who could have deserved this reward more,” The Wingspan reporter, senior Kristin Tuff, said. “She devotes all of her free time to making sure the staff has all the resources they need to ensure success, and she is the best Editor-in-Chief we could ask for.”
Petrick and the other 49 state-level winners advance to the national competition, where they are considered for the Sister Rita Jeanne Abicht Scholarships, named in honor of JEA’s longtime treasurer. At the national level, JEA awards $4,000 to the National Student Journalist of the Year and $1,200 scholarships to up to five finalists, with funds sent directly to the recipients’ colleges or universities.
Following in her mother’s footsteps, who used to be a reporter for KETV, Petrick has been involved in journalism since her freshman year, but earning this title hasn’t always been on the radar.
“I remember when I was a freshman, my journalism adviser at the time, Mr. [Timothy] Kaldahl, had sat me down at the end of the year and said, ‘You gotta start thinking about Journalist of the Year when you’re a senior,’” she said. “Considering it was three years away, I thought he was crazy. But he’s always been one of my biggest supporters, so I guess it made sense.”
As Editor-in-Chief, Petrick has made a noticeable impact.
Petrick’s portfolio can be viewed at: https://www.madelinepetrick.com/home
