The Kansas Scholastic Press Association named Lawrence High School senior Suzana “Zana” Kennedy the state’s student journalist of the year Monday during a surprise ceremony at the school.
Friends, family members, colleagues and school district employees filled the LHS atrium Monday morning to surprise Kennedy as she walked down the long, red staircase.
She was greeted by LHS journalism adviser Barb Tholen, who announced the award. Tholen is president-elect of KSPA, based at the University of Kansas.
Tholen later described Kennedy as compassionate, a perfectionist and a hardworking journalist who happens to also be a fabulous ballerina.
“She’s not somebody who gets up and, like, shouts real loud, but she does try to … push people the right direction,” Tholen said. “And she’s done some really, I think, exciting reporting.”
Tholen said Kennedy has delved into research and writing involving representation of LHS’ Hall of Honor, student privacy rights, and the protection of student journalism.
Kennedy is a third-year reporter and second-time co-editor in chief of LHS’ print publication, The Budget. She attended Prairie Moon Waldorf School pre-K through eighth grade before transitioning to public school at LHS.
Kennedy is the third Chesty Lion to earn the honor since 2022. Maya Smith, now a KU freshman and freelance reporter for Kansas Reflector, won the award last year. Cuyler Dunn, now a contributor for The Lawrence Times, earned the award in 2022. Smith and Dunn stood alongside Tholen on Monday to announce the award.
Smith told the crowd judges were impressed by Kennedy’s in-depth and feature reporting with research of important topics, as well as her leadership.
“One judge said about (Kennedy’s) portfolio, ‘Wow, from breaking news to features, from sports to opinions, this portfolio is as exceptional as it is expansive. All are well reported, sourced and researched with the consistent quality that rivals commercial journalism,’” Dunn said.
The win comes with a $1,250 prize that includes $750 for winning among journalists within the 5A/6A state classification and $500 for placing first overall across all classifications.
Kennedy said she doesn’t yet know where she’ll attend college, but journalism and research are part of those future plans.
“I mean, this award means a lot,” she said. “I’ve been doing journalism for so long it feels like, in high school at least. And I’ve put a lot of effort, a lot of blood, sweat and tears into it, and this feels really good.”
Kennedy’s parents, Jeff and Cami Kennedy, said their daughter had always been a storyteller.
“She’s just such a hard worker and so dedicated and passionate, and Barb (Tholen) has just been amazing with her,” Cami said.
Budget co-editors and seniors Bryndal Hoover and Arabella Gipp, Standing Rock Sioux, heaped praise on their colleague between bites of ceremonial chocolate cake in the makerspace.
Hoover said Kennedy puts her full heart into everything.
“Her fight to want to do everything correct, the fight to want to help others succeed. It’s just, it makes her a great (editor in chief), and that’s why she deserves this award. I couldn’t imagine a better person to fill the spot than Zana,” Hoover said.
Gipp said she’s known Kennedy since their preschool days at the Waldorf School. Gipp said Kennedy has always been “locked in.”
“She really enjoys writing and really enjoys journalism, and seeing her really hone in on that and find her niche and all that, it’s been really cool,” Gipp said.
Kansas high school journalists who enter the contest submit an application that includes a digital portfolio of their work, according to KSPA’s website. Content and evaluation are based on the Journalism Education Association’s Journalist of the Year contest — a national competition where Kennedy’s portfolio will also be judged. Kennedy and other journalists will vie for the top prize, a $4,000 scholarship; five runners-up will receive scholarships of $1,250 each, according to JEA’s website.
Visit this link to view Kennedy’s published work for The Budget.
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Tricia Masenthin (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at tmasenthin (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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