Pennsylvania School Press Association's 2025 Student Journalism Competition Finals took place on Tuesday, April 1 at Penn State University's main campus.

Students who previously qualified at regional events participated in a press conference with representatives of the Penn State Blue Band, who discussed what it was like to be a part of the Penn State legacy. Students then competed in writing, design, photography, blog, podcast, and video categories based on the themes of the conference. 
In the afternoon, students put their knowledge to the test in a fast-paced, quiz bowl-style trivia showdown. After hosting the trivia contest, Penn State’s Amy Kristin Sanders, the John and Ann Curley Chair in First Amendment at Penn State, delivered a lecture on the key legal principles every high school journalist should understand, including First Amendment protections, censorship and more.

The following publications were recognized as the Clyde F. Lytle All-State Awards:
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Literary Magazine: Penncrest High School | Gryphon Literary Magazine
Yearbook: Kiski Area High School | Campus
Newspaper: Souderton Area High School | The Arrowhead
Website: Strath Haven High School | The Panther Press

​The 2025 Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year, Ayaan Shah of Emmaus High School shared remarks about his path in journalism, and the 2025 Journalism Teacher of the Year, Ms. Shelby Ramirez, accepted a certificate of recognition.

​The following students earned first place ranking in their their categories at the 2025 Student Journalism Competitions. 

1Y | Yearbook Caption Writing | Anne Yingling | State College Area HS
2Y | Yearbook Copy Writing | Lorelei Talley | Central York HS
3Y | Yearbook Sports | Josh Merkel | Palmerton Area HS
4Y  | Yearbook Spread Design | Lainey Tuszynski | Freedom Area HS
5N | Newspaper News Writing | Calla Reynolds | Freedom Area HS
6N | Newspaper Feature Writing | Evelynn Lin| Strath Haven HS
7N | Newspaper Sports Writing | Howard Kim | Conestoga HS
8E | Editorial Cartoon | Mary Wolters | Conestoga HS​
9E | Editorial Writing | Editorial Writing | Morgan Downing | Southern Lehigh HS
10L | Literary Magazine Poetry | JJ Nichols | Danville Area HS
11L | Literary Magazine Artwork | Jackson Kim | Neshaminy HS
12B | Broadcast News Writing | Rowan Chetty | Conestoga HS
13YP | Yearbook Photography |  Sara Poore | Kiski Area
14NP | Newspaper Photography | Christopher Denkovich | Freedom Area HS
15BF | Broadcast Feature | Ella Malloy, Julianne Fontano, Bryn Urban | Penn Trafford
15BN | Broadcast News | Josh Vinton | Franklin Regional
17POD | Podcast | Lillian McCulloch| Montoursville Area HS

PSPA is grateful to our hosts at Penn State University and the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications for the organizational and on-site support.