Each year Hawaii recognizes a student journalist of the year. Congratulations to the 2025 HiJOY winner, Kaelyn Pacpaco, print editor-in-chief for Imua ‘Iolani. Second place goes to Katie Troske, editor-in-chief of Mid-Pacific’s Na Pueo. Third place goes to Anna Casupang, social media editor for Sacred Hearts Academy’s Ka Leo..
To enter, the student must be a senior who has been involved in student journalism in some way. The journalist could work for their school newspaper, yearbook, broadcast media, etc. They must make a digital portfolio providing evidence and reflection on Reporting/Writing, Editing/Leadership/Teamwork, and Law/Ethics/News Literacy, plus evidence from one choice category: Design, Commitment to Diversity, Broadcast Journalism, Photojournalism, Web/Social Media, or Marketing/Audience Engagement.
The Hawaii Chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association provided monetary prizes. AAJA is an organization that supports Asian American and Pacific Islander representation in the newsroom and strives for equitable and accurate coverage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and AAPI issues.
First place earned $250, second place earned $150, and third place earned $100.
Pacpaco has worked for Imua ‘Iolani for four years. Her advisers are Lindsey Combs and Jade Higa. Pacpaco will represent Hawaii in the national Journalism Education Association’s Journalist of the Year contest.
In her HiJOY personal narrative, Pacpaco shared the experience of her first story assignment – a feature on two students who had started a small business crocheting bees. She wrote, “Just the thought of interviewing upperclassmen was intimidating, but my genuine curiosity about their work quickly drowned out any nerves.” Once the story was published, Pacpaco saw how impactful journalism could be.
Pacpaco’s senior year was Imua Iolani’s 100th. Researching, writing, and designing for this centennial solidified her love for journalism. She wrote, “It’s about preserving stories, connecting the past to the present, and ensuring that future generations can see where we’ve been.”
Here are a few comments the judges made on Pacpaco’s portfolio:
- Kaelyn wrote a clear and compelling personal narrative with a strong opening statement and detailed and engaging accounts of her professional milestones at Imua.
- Kaelyn’s writing is strong throughout a variety of genres. Organization is strong. Stories flow well and kept my attention throughout. Research and pre-interview preparation are evident. Well-written transitions set up strong quotes. The Volume 100 entries offer modern readers valuable historical perspectives. Opinions are based on factual information and effectively show the reporter’s strong voice.
- Kaelyn’s layouts have a lot of pop and visual appeal. I can see why your publication trusts you with important stories like the 100th anniversary celebration.
Troske has worked for Mid-Pacific Institute’s Na Pueo since her freshman year. Troske’s adviser is Kyle Malashewski.
In her personal narrative, Troske wrote about embarking on a story idea in her second year. She felt passionate about the topic, but no one would talk to her. She wrote, “I had no sources, no quotes, and therefore no story. I thought I would have no choice but to abandon it.” Instead, she looked at the story from a new angle, created new questions, and found that sources would talk to her.
She carried that lesson through to her final year. She now sees obstacles in a new way. She wrote, “I look at them as opportunities to improve my angle and pave a new path.”
Here are a few comments the judges made on Troske’s portfolio.
- Katie’s personal narrative is exceptional! Her sentences are punchy and well-crafted.
- Not only is your website beautiful, but the articles you featured show your depth of knowledge and passion for the world of journalism.
- Your story topics cover a wide range, and your writing goes beyond a personal opinion, incorporating boots-on-the-ground research. The array is very impressive.
Casupang joined Sacred Hearts Academy’s online publication Ka Leo for three years. Casupang’s adviser is Alyssa Myers.
In her personal narrative, Casubang wrote about how she struggled with wanting her writing to be perfect. She wrote, “This need for perfection wasn’t for me; rather, it was for the people whose story I was telling.” By her senior year, Casubang has realized that perfection isn’t attainable. But her desire to do the best she can for her subjects remains a goal. She wrote, “My passion for wanting to help other people’s stories be heard and my dedication to making sure they are told accurately is what defines me as a student journalist.”
Here are a few comments the judges made on Casupang’s portfolio.
- You do a good job at keeping your Instagram feed full of teasers and other goodies for your readers to digest.
- Your detailed descriptions on how you see your role as an editor was inspiring and informative.
- Anna detailed how she learned to trust her talent as a writer while learning the technical skills necessary to tell stories that inform and inspire.
Honorable Mention goes to Malia Manuel of McKinley High School’s The Pinion (adviser, Cindy Reves) and Desmond Ramos, Sunissa (Alastair) Domingo and Averey Jim of Mililani High School’s Trojan Times (adviser, Daniella Reyes).
Manuel said her activism inspired her to join her school newspaper in her junior year. She said she initially struggled to turn subjects she felt strongly about into objective pieces of writing. But, as a senior, she wrote, “I started high school as an activist, but I will be leaving a journalist.”
Ramos wrote that he used to hate writing. He didn’t see himself improving. However, he was invited to join Newswriting and became a copy editor. He wrote, “It has blessed me with the opportunity to work with the others on the editing team who now are some of my best friends.”
Domingo did start in journalism with a love of writing but struggled with journalistic style. Then she discovered photography and design. She compared her new view of journalism to a pizza. She wrote, “Writing is the crust, the base that starts everything off. Designing is the toppings that … makes people wonder if they should really take a bite. Photography is the scent that turns the audience heads towards the pizza.”
Jim plans to be a nurse but wrote how journalism is also a way to help people. Jim wrote, “By publishing news and spreading awareness about issues in my community, I’ve been making early progress in my goal to help others even before I can become a registered nurse.” Jim also wrote about how more experienced staffers helped him and as copy editor his senior year “I’m the one who can help others start and improve their writing.”
HiJOY 2025 was judged by:
- Megan Moseley, reporter for Maui News and a member of the Big Island Press Club, getting a master’s degree in communications
- Tiffany Edwards Hunt, Keaau Middle School student activities coordinator, Big Island Press Club president and former journalist
- Maya-Lin Green, a past Big Island Press Club Scholarship recipient, current board member, who is working on the communications team for a remote climate adaptation science center and a senior at UHH majoring in mass communications and media journalism.
- Kye Haina, journalism adviser, Ka Leo o Nā Koa, Kamehameha Schools Maui, successfully advised two HiJOY winners.
- Mark Webber, retired from teaching/advising in 2019 from Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts in Laredo, Texas, a JEA-certified judge and mentor who has been judging student journalism contests since 2020,
- Angie Hamilton-Lowe, administrator for UH at Manoa’s journalism program
Jenny Howe, an independent sales representative for Jostens, supported the judges with gift cards.
If you are a high school journalist or adviser, you can learn more about HiJOY here.
