I liked that the feature story focused on a student. It was well-presented; the anchor did a great job with her tone, and the editing was done well.

FINALISTS:

Dixon Alderman — Hernando MS

Addyson Gallant — Hernando MS

Braylee Toliver — Hernando MS

BEST VIDEO SPORTS STORY

WINNER: Owen Holcomb — St. Joseph Catholic School

The story makes national issues local and has a variety of shots, nice sequencing and a strong script.

HIGH SCHOOL:

BEST NEWS STORY

WINNER: Louis Conley & Dara Aiyedun — Tupelo HS

The story makes national issues local and has a variety of shots, nice sequencing and a strong script.

FINALISTS:

Kaitlyn Evans — St. Joseph Catholic School

Noah Brown, Ava Eaves, Joe Nicholson, Condoleeza Mobit — Madison Central HS

Sadie Kate Cooksey — Biloxi HS

BEST FEATURE STORY

WINNER: Rylie Robinson and Dara Aiyedun — Tupelo HS

The wonderful natural sound off the top caught my attention immediately. The story had sound bites filled with emotion and demonstrated strong writing. The reporter shared compelling details throughout the piece that kept me watching. Excellent video referencing – this is a model feature story.

FINALISTS:

Andrea Ray, Joe Nicholson, and Brandon Silguero — Madison Central HS

Ava Eaves & Noah Tompkins — Madison Central HS

Jason Buckley — St. Joseph Catholic School

Jada Hunter & Hannah Uecker — Tupelo HS

BEST SPORTS STORY

WINNER: Anderson Shows — Oxford HS

The story was well developed and relevant, the b-roll was used to help supplement the visuals, and the editing was superb. This BSS represents the best of best.

FINALISTS:

Worth Mcgehee — Jackson Preparatory School

Andrea Ray, Ainsley Deel, and Noah Brown — Madison Central HS

Anderson Shows — Oxford HS

Rylie Robinson, Jolen McKenzie, JaNiya Harris — Tupelo HS

BEST IN-STUDIO ANCHOR

WINNER: Ava Clarke Edney — Northwest Rankin HS

Ava lights up the screen when she speaks. She’s not just reading scripts; she’s telling the audience a story. Her interaction with her co-anchor is excellent, and she appears natural and confident on camera. Congratulations, Ava!

FINALISTS:

Cami Chavez — Desoto Central HS

Jasmine Birkhead — Northwest Rankin HS

Thierry Freeman — St. Jospeh Catholic School

Abbey Sanders — Tupelo HS

BEST IN-STUDIO SPORTS ANCHOR

WINNER: Alberto Diaz — South Panola HS

Alberto was poised and confident in his delivery. His vocal inflection keeps the audience listening and engaged. Nice job!

FINALISTS:

Nathaniel Coleman — Gulfport HS

Audrey Young — St. Joseph Catholic School

JaNiya Harris — Tupelo HS

Rylie Robinson — Tupelo HS

BEST NEWS REPORTER

WINNER: Louis Conley — Tupelo HS

Louis is a natural on-air talent and has perfect intonation and pacing no matter what he is reporting on.

FINALISTS:

Jason Buckely — St. Jospeh Catholic School

Thierry Freeman — St. Jospeh Catholic School

Theresa Nguyen — Desoto Central HS

BEST SPORTS REPORTER

WINNER: Henry Turner — St. Joseph Catholic School

Henry was professional, captivating, and demonstrated the ability to be successful in both a live setting and a prerecorded package setting.

FINALISTS:

Andrea Ray — Madison Central HS

Audrey Young — St. Joseph Catholic School

Marleigh Armstrong — Tupelo HS

Rylie Robinson — Tupelo HS

BEST WEATHER REPORTER

WINNER: Griffin Pitcock — South Panola HS

Griffin has a great delivery that is natural and smooth and seems very comfortable with weather terminology.

FINALISTS:

Aidan Shannon — Center Hill HS

Julie Flores — Gulfport HS

BEST PSA

WINNER: Raikel Boyd — Center Hill HS

Message was relevant, impactful, and necessary. Well put together. “A text can wait. A life can’t,” POWERFUL!

FINALISTS:

Keegan Hess & Presley Taylor — Hernando HS

Anna Kate Gatlin — South Panola HS

Eli Gipson & Zoe Brockman — Tupelo HS

Spartans On Air — White Station HS

BEST HYPE VIDEO

WINNER: Anderson Shows — Oxford HS

Strong song choice, engaging till the end, finished with a last message for the audience, and finished with the school brand.

FINALISTS:

Charley Jones — Brandon HS

Ford Atkinson — Lafayette

Kadynce Johnson — South Panola HS

BEST LONG-FORM STORY

WINNER: Anderson Shows & Sam Blackwood — Oxford HS

Honestly, it’s hard to believe this was put together by high school students! It had an attention grabbing open, great videography, tight editing and told the story of Game #2 of the 2025 football season. I can see there is a relationship between the production students and coaches who trust them to shoot in the locker room pregame and halftime. That is a relationship that has to be built over time. Well done!

FINALISTS:

Amy Page, Scarlett Sullivan, and Ainsley Deel — Madison Central HS

Staff — Northwest Rankin HS

Robbie Watson & Khaleah McCain — Northwest Rankin HS

Anderson Shows — Oxford HS