Minnehaha Student Journalists Earn National Honors
![A panel of seven awardee portraits]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1784144051/minnehahaacademynet/xq9lrybxzrh9xvvzfm3s/2026JournalismAwards.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1784144051/minnehahaacademynet/xq9lrybxzrh9xvvzfm3s/2026JournalismAwards.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1784144051/minnehahaacademynet/xq9lrybxzrh9xvvzfm3s/2026JournalismAwards.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1784144051/minnehahaacademynet/xq9lrybxzrh9xvvzfm3s/2026JournalismAwards.png","width":1200}])
Minnehaha Student Journalists Earn National Honors
Amy Barnard
Minnehaha Academy student journalists earned national recognition in the 2026 Quill and Scroll and Private School Journalism Association contests, receiving honors for reporting, photography, podcasting, and multimedia storytelling.
Three students received first-place Journalist of the Year awards, while five students were recognized in the Writing, Photo, and Multimedia Contest. Together, their accomplishments reflect the creativity, technical skill, and dedication they bring to student journalism.
Journalist of the Year Honors
Henry Beck: Freshman of the Year
Henry Beck earned first place as Freshman of the Year in the Private School Journalism Association contest.
Henry's photo sample:
Catherine Sime-Mackintosh: Sophomore of the Year
Catherine Sime-Mackintosh earned first place as Sophomore of the Year in the Private School Journalism Association contest.
Ezra Victor: Photographer of the Year
Ezra Victor earned first place as Photographer of the Year in the Private School Journalism Association contest.
He also received two honorable mentions in the Writing, Photo, and Multimedia Contest for Feature Photography and Sports Action Photography.
Writing, Photo, and Multimedia Honors
Sophia Blew: Beginning Podcaster
Sophia Blew earned second place in the Beginning Podcaster category of the Writing, Photo, and Multimedia Contest.
Sophia also earned third place in a separate competition, Minnesota's Journalist of the Year competition.
Cana Schimelpfenig: Sports Reaction Photography
Cana Schimelpfenig received an honorable mention for Sports Reaction Photography in the Writing, Photo, and Multimedia Contest.
Danielle Hobbie: Sports Feature
Danielle Hobbie earned third place in the Sports Feature category of the Writing, Photo, and Multimedia Contest.
Nina Mast: Feature Writing
Nina Mast received an honorable mention for Feature Writing in the Writing, Photo, and Multimedia Contest.
Congratulations to these outstanding student journalists on their national recognition. Their work demonstrates the power of thoughtful reporting, compelling writing, strong visual storytelling, and creative multimedia production.
*Please note that we were unable to share all award-winning photos. Blog includes only a sampling.
- Awards
- Cultivating Potential
- Exceptional Academics
- Upper School
See our stories come to life.
The best way to understand Minnehaha is to see us in action.
Visit campus, meet our teachers, and experience how students grow academically and in their faith.