Peabody Press earns THSPA recognition

Sheerea Yu '23 was named Journalist of the Year, and six writers earned individual awards at this year's Tennessee High School Press Association Awards.
By Justin Karpinos, HS Dean of Student Life & Journalism Teacher

University School of Nashville student journalists attend the Tennessee High School Press Association Awards on Monday, March 6 at Lipscomb University. The THSPA, which is sponsored by Lipscomb, presents awards in 52 categories in newspaper, yearbook, literary magazine, and broadcast news.
 
Lest we bury the lede: our editor-in-chief, Sheerea Yu '23, was named the H.L. Hall Journalist of the Year. Sheerea will continue on in the Journalism Education Association national awards process this spring. She is our second winner of this award, following Esha Karam '21 two years ago.
 
Amanda Hara, the anchor of WSMV’s morning show and director of digital media, gave the keynote address, encouraging journalists to be tenacious in their never-ending quest for the truth. She also reminded us, “the microphone is a tool that demands respect and responsibility.” Finally, Hara told student journalists that, ultimately, our voice is inconsequential in the story – it’s our job to carry the voices of others. She quoted Edward R. Murrow on that third point: “Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn’t mean you are wiser than when it only reached to the end of the bar.”
 
Hara shared how her career, which began in Evansville, Indiana, involved mistakes and missteps along the way toward arriving at these lessons herself.
 
Hara also shared how, in her role as director of digital media at WSMV, she has to confront the challenges of misinformation, online commentary which can quickly turn sour, and algorithms of tech companies that deliver news to our feeds in ways that are demonstrably skewed.

“We have a need to help make our readers smarter consumers of news,” Hara said.
 
This year, there were 747 submissions in total, with some categories having upwards of 20 submissions. The newspaper categories were particularly competitive this year. Individual awards earned by USN's Peabody Press staff this year include:
 
Oliver Buntin '23: first place, Best Photo
Kara Grace Hess '23: second place, Best Column
Margot Ross '24 & Reid Murray '22: third place, Best Sports Story
Eliana Gorden '24: third place, Best Review
 
And as a publication, the Peabody Press earned an Excellent Rating in the Overall Newspaper category. 
 
What was especially encouraging is that the next day, as we were putting the finishing touches on the early March edition of the paper in class, our two junior editors were compiling and organizing the feedback we received from the THSPA judges, which we’ll work to implement moving forward. This is a dedicated crew of stewards of the newspaper.
 
It is no secret to those of us close to the Peabody Press that 75% of our staff will graduate this spring, and we are actively looking for ways to expand our staff and our reach. Oliver, for example, has submitted photos as a guest contributor throughout the year; other students have submitted guest columns on student leadership experiences, commentary on redistricting in Tennessee, and coverage of the USN hockey team’s playoff run.
 
I’m grateful to our staff for continually striving to tell the important stories here on Edgehill, and eager to see what our final issues this year hold. A great High School needs a great newspaper, now more than ever.
Back

More USN News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies

    The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.
    Read More
  • Interim Director Juliet Douglas roars with laughter as students hold photos of her on sticks during the High School Awards Assembly on Friday, May 8 in Durnan Auditorium.

    USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success

    For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.
    Read More
  • The team poses for a photo after competing in the Middle School Quiz Bowl National Championships.

    Middle School Quiz Bowl competes at national championship

    The Middle School Quiz Bowl finished off another successful season with a trip to the Middle School National Championship Tournament in Chicago. The team fought hard and ended the season as a top-100 program in the country, finishing 75th overall. Congratulations to the team on a great performance and to Lucas Lupu ’31, named an All Star for being the fifth-highest scorer nationwide.
    Read More
Archive

Contact

Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
Fax:       615-321-0889 
Email:    info@usn.org

River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218

Resources

USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.