Conestoga Senior Named PA Student Journalist Of The Year

BERWYN, PA — A Conestoga High School senior was recently named the student journalist of the year by a state organization, according to the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District.

Claire Guo was named the 2020 Pennsylvania School Press Association’s Student Journalist of the Year.

Guo, who is the editor in chief of Conestoga High School’s monthly news publication The Spoke, was chosen for distinction after submitting her digital portfolio showcasing her work during her four years on staff. Guo’s digital portfolio includes examples from the eleven categories of the Journalism Education Association’s curriculum, such as reporting, photography, ethics and leadership.

She joined the staff in her freshman year and served as a reporter, opinion editor and student life editor before becoming co editor-in-chief her senior year

In earning the distinction, Guo got a $500 scholarship and a chance to send her portfolio to the National JEASJOY competition along with other state winners. The national winner and runners-up will be announced in April.

In the last decade, The Spoke has had eight winners.

The mission of the Pennsylvania School Press Association (PSPA) is to promote excellence
and responsibility in scholastic journalism through developing students who possess sound
journalism skills, demonstrate ethical decision making and recognize, uphold and advocate
First Amendment rights through responsible citizenship and informed media consumption.

The Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year award was named for Dr. Jane Blystone in 2011.

"An already-strong publication has helped Claire to grow into herself, while she has made outstanding contributions to make that publication even stronger," one Pennsylvania judge said of Guo's portfolio. "This portfolio was a joy to review and could be used as a model of how to celebrate student journalism."

In her recommendation letter, co-adviser Cyndi Hyatt wrote: "Claire has the tenacity of a pit bull
and when an important story is due and obstacles stand in her way, she kicks into Wonder
Woman mode digging in to finish and to finish strong."

Co-adviser Susan Gregory agrees.

"Because this is a student newspaper, she is mostly self-taught. Claire is motivated and tenacious," she wrote. "Add intelligence and creativity to the mix, and you have an award- winning student journalist."

In addition, in 2018, Guo was selected to be one of 42 students nationwide to participate in J-Camp in Detroit, Michigan, a six-day intensive journalism scholarship program led by professional journalists sponsored by the Asian American Journalists Association. She will attend Yale University in the fall.

"Over the past four years, journalism has helped me grow into my dorky, enthusiastic self and direct my attention outwards," Guo said. "Past recipients of this award have done great work — the wonderful Ian Ong and Avery Maslowsky recently — and I feel extremely honored to receive the award in 2020. A big thank you to my advisers Mrs. Hyatt and Mrs. Gregory, my former editors and my fellow Spokies for teaching and supporting me along the way. And thanks to everyone who told me their story."