Each year Hawaii recognizes a high school student journalist of the year. Congratulations to the 2026 HiJOY winner Madeline Nicolas from ‘Iolani School’s Imua ‘Iolani.

Second place goes to Dominic Niyo from McKinley High School’s The Pinion.

Third place goes Keira Wheeler from 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.

HiJOY 2026 Winner – Madeline Nicolas

Nicolas is in her third year with Imua ‘Iolani and serves as print editor-in-chief. Her advisers are Lindsey Combs and Jade Higa. Nicolas will represent Hawaii in the national Journalism Education Association’s Journalist of the Year contest.

In her personal narrative, Nicolas shared she was initially afraid as a new journalist to explore “controversial” topics.

Yet, she wrote that she decided to face that fear and write about controversial topics, such as the 2024 selection of a new Speaker of the House, anyway.

“That discomfort became a source of motivation,” she wrote. “The more uncomfortable I felt, the more confident I became in my writing and, eventually, in my beliefs.”

Another uncomfortable topic she tackled was body hair stigma. Facing these challenges led her to learn and grow.

She wrote, “Throughout my time in journalism, I have had many conversations that I thought I’d never have and cultivated skills that otherwise would be forgotten.”

The Personal Narrative judge was impressed with Nicolas’ explanation of her journey.

The judge wrote, “I really appreciated the journey I went on reading your personal narrative and your progression into seeing the virtue of journalism. The fact that you were able to sway family members on their politics should serve as fuel for you to continue on this path.”

The Reporting and Writing judge was impressed with evidence of the research, strong quotes, and reporter insights. This judge commented that content was relevant to student readers, noting the stories on saimin, redefining American identity through CAATS, and illegal fireworks.

The judge wrote, “I was particularly impressed with the affordable housing situation, a topic rarely seen in high school media.”

The Editing/Leadership/Teambuilding judge noted evidence of the wide range of editorial duties Nicolas has taken on.

The judge wrote, “I can see that you were not content with the status quo, revising and instituting new designs and procedures.”

Each HiJOY contestant chooses one category from among six, and Nicolas chose Design. The judge for the Choice Category write that the designs are eye-catching and thoughtful, and enhance the readers’ understanding of the articles.

The judge also appreciated Nicolas’ explanations of her design work.

“Your explanations give the judges much-needed context to understand your thought process and goals for each design,” the judge wrote.

Click here to see Nicolasʻs portfolio submitted to the national JOY contest 

HiJOY 2026 Second Place – Dominic Niyo

Niyo joined The Pinion staff his freshman year as a reporter and returned his junior and senior years as an editor. His adviser is Cynthia Reves. Niyo represented Hawaii at the 2025 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference and is a Health and Lifestyle columnist for Generations Magazine.

In his personal narrative, Niyo explored his journalism journey through the lens of  of mana’o, a Hawaiian word sometimes translated as idea/belief/intent. Niyo illustrated this through his reporting and writing about a cold case. As a freshman, Niyo considered writing about a McKinley student murdered on campus in 1977 but realized he “didn’t have the judgment yet — only the curiosity.”

During Niyo’s junior year, a suspect was named in the case and Niyo finally felt ready to write about Dawn Momohara because he “understood the responsibility of doing so.”

He ended his personal narrative with, “I began to see what manaʻo asks of me — to carry a story with patience, context, and respect, and to recognize that its weight comes from how you choose to hold it.”

The Personal Narrative judge said they were impressed with Niyo’s unique way to explore his journalism journey.

The judge wrote, “What an eloquent deep dive into mana’o. Such a crucial word for journalism and writing.”

The Reporting/Writing judge praised many aspects of Niyo’s work. The judge wrote, “Writing conforms to the conventions of journalism. … Strong transitions set up strong quotes. Ledes are strong.” 

The judge highlighted Niyo’s use of interviews. “Sources provide the depth and context needed to bring the story to life,” the judge wrote.

The Editing/Leadership/Teambuilding judge acknowledged Niyo as “the type of student editor who is dedicated to his craft.” The judge also said they appreciated that Niyo’s presentation of this sections of this page in the portfolio was “creative and unique.” The judge wrote, “Your sections really reflected the diverse roles that an editor can and should fulfill.”

For his Choice Category, Niyo provided artifacts and reflection on Commitment to Diversity. The judge wrote, “You have certainly covered a wide range of topics. Well done!”

HiJOY 2026 Third Place – Keira Wheeler

Wheeler is a fourth-year journalist, now serving as editor-in-chief for Sacred Heart’s Ka Leo. Her adviser is Alyssa Myers.

In her personal narrative, Wheeler reflected on her experience at the Vogue Fashion Summer School in New York City where she learned to “trust my own voice and perspective.” She wrote she used this experience to guide Ka Leo journalists to work with greater confidence to “strengthen Ka Leo’s brand” and “land bigger stories.”

She also used the Hawai’i High School Journalism Awards as a motivator for herself and her staff. Hawai’i Baptist Academy had earned Best in State for nine years. By Wheeler’s junior year, Sacred Hearts had taken away and kept that title three times.

She wrote how rewarding it was watching the staff “develop their voice and confidence” and move from “eager to prove itself” to top in the state.

The Personal Narrative judge commented on Wheeler’s Vogue experience, writing “The story about the Vogue internship really captivated me. … It sounds like the experience, rather than deplete you, gave you motivation to strive higher and farther than you ever thought you would.”

The Reporting/Writing judge said they appreciated the wide range of topics and styles in Wheeler’s portfolio, adding “research is evident, as are well-written interview questions and follow-ups when needed.”

The Editing/Leadership/Teambuilding judge wrote they were impressed at the work required of Wheeler to be the sole editor in her class of 20. 

“It is evident from your portfolio that you handled this situation well, creating materials that not only helped the new staffers to feel comfortable but to also teach and mentor them, sharing what you know to leave a legacy for your publication,” the judge wrote.

Wheeler provided artifacts and reflections on Design as her Choice Category. The judge commented on the variety of design elements included in the portfolio.

The judge highlighted the Spanish roll infographic, writing that it was “simple but required a lot of critical thinking and journalism into making such a wonderful addition to the story.”

Click here to see Wheelerʻs porfolio submitted to HiJOY.

HiJOY 2026 Honorable Mentions

Honorable Mention goes to Jacky Oasay and Cheska Orias of McKinley High School (adviser, Cindy Reves), Emi Lew of Mid-Pacific Institute (adviser, Kyle Malashewski), and Sophie Chan (adviser, Alexandre Selarque) and Swan Kim (adviser, Marshall Comstock) of Punahou School.

Oasay wrote she joined the newspaper staff because of a passion for writing and storytelling but stayed because of a commitment to leadership and teambuilding. She organized a mentor/mentee system and was the staff “Manager of Fun.” She wrote, “These additions to the team helped me realize my passion for workplace collaboration.”

Orias wrote that she started her journalism journey nervous. She struggled with talking to strangers; she struggled with her mental health. She wrote, “Despite this, I found an outlet in The Pinion. … I realized that I wanted to write things that could help others and change someone’s perspective.” Orias served as editor-in-chief her junior and senior years.

Lew also wrote about being nervous at the start of her journalism journey. She came in with a love of fiction and experience in opinion and review writing. She wrote, “… the newspaper required speaking, collaboration and interviews. This type of writing where I needed to depend on others was completely out of my comfort zone.” She wrote, though, that once she became a leader, she used her past fears, knowledge and experiences to provide advice and lessons on the topics she knew were intimidating. She wrote, “To me, community and connection are integral and often overlooked parts of the newsroom but can make the difference between staying and leaving.”

Like Lew, Chan highlighted community in her personal narrative.  Chan is the only entrant who works not only for her school’s newspaper, but also for the yearbook. She said she feels pride that her Punahou peers, even after graduation, enrolling in higher education, and finding work, will have The Oahuan to look back on. Reflecting on her Ka Punahou and The Oahuan experience, she wrote , “Invariably, a commitment to journalism means a commitment to your community; accurate coverage, leadership, and civic reporting are all necessary to an engaged society.”

Kim joined journalism from a love of fiction and personal writing but found the learning curve steep. While Kim rose to the challenge, she said her classmates often left the newspaper because the work was too hard and finding support beyond the school was difficult. Kim rose to that challenge, too, leading the first interscholastic student committee of the Hawai’i Scholastic Journalism Association and helping revive a statewide journalism workshop halted by COVID. She wrote, “I saw how bringing journalists together nurtures a passion for journalism and builds community. … I’m proud that my organizing has strengthened the quality of student journalism across the islands and will empower future writers to share their stories, continuing my lifelong pursuit of storytelling.”

HiJOY 2026 was judged by:

• Kim Baxter is a Communications/Journalism professor at Chaminade University who oversees The Silversword, the university’s online student newspaper. She earned her master’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University and worked as a college basketball reporter at The Post-Standard (Syracuse, N.Y.) and college basketball editor at ESPN.com before moving to Hawai’i and starting her teaching career.
• Chayanee Brooks, Language Arts and Journalism teacher, Ka’u High and Pahala Elementary School
• Kye Haina, journalism adviser, Ka Leo o Nā Koa, Kamehameha Schools Maui, successfully advised two HiJOY winners.
• Tiffany Edwards Hunt, KVIKS Media Foundation board member, Big Island Press Club past president, Tiffany Edwards Communications founder, HSTA Government Relations Committee member, and Big Island educator
• Jeffrey Portnoy is a partner with Cades Shutte, practicing in the area of litigation. He is listed in Who’s Who in America, and has been the recipientof several local and national awards, including the Society of Professional Journalists’ First Amendment Award.
• Mark Webber, who retired from teaching/advising in 2019 from Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts in Laredo, Texas, is a JEA-certified judge and mentor who has been judging student journalism contests since 2020, and is a member of the Mentoring Committee.

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.