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three students reading

LCPS Student Publications Earn 20 State Recognitions from Virginia High School League

LCPS

November 4, 2026

Students from nine Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) high schools are being recognized for their achievements in journalism, creative writing, design and broadcasting, earning 20 honors in the Virginia High School League's (VHSL) 2025-2026 Publications Awards.

Six LCPS programs received Trophy Class honors, the highest recognition in the VHSL publications evaluation process. The awards highlight the creativity and dedication of students who produce school newspapers, yearbooks, literary magazines, online news sites and broadcasts, with guidance from their faculty advisers.

“These awards reflect the creativity, talent and dedication of our students, along with the educators who help them develop their skills," said LCPS Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence. "Student journalism plays an important role in a free society. It gives students the opportunity to ask questions, explore different perspectives, hold a mirror up to their communities and understand the responsibility that comes with sharing information. These experiences help students find their voices and become informed, engaged citizens." 

LCPS Award Recipients:

Broad Run High School

  • Unbound, literary magazine: Trophy Class (Adviser: Michelle Evans)

Freedom High School

  • Aquila, yearbook: Trophy Class (Adviser: Eileen Hammang-Yaworsky)

  • Freedom Broadcast, broadcast, Trophy Class (Advisor: Dana Baker)

Independence High School

  • Art of the Tiger, literary magazine: Second Class (Advisers: Eric Russo and Kim Basinger)

Lightridge High School

  • Thoughts of Thunder, literary magazine: Trophy Class (Advisers: Kirsten Cleary and Michelle Ehring)

  • The Strike, yearbook: First Class (Adviser: Irene Moulton)

  • Lightridge News, online news site: First Class (Adviser: Patrick Ayers)

Loudoun County High School

  • The Crow's Nest, literary magazine: First Class (Adviser: Valerie Egger)

  • Lord Loudoun, yearbook: Trophy Class (Adviser: Valerie Egger)

  • The County Chronicle, newspaper: Trophy Class (Adviser: Valerie Egger)

Loudoun Valley High School

  • Saga, yearbook: Second Class (Adviser: Shari Adwers)

  • The Viking News, online news site: First Class (Adviser: Shari Adwers)

Rock Ridge High School

  • The Renaissance, literary magazine: Third Class (Adviser: Susan Spengeman)

  • The Blaze, broadcast: Trophy Class (Adviser: Tyler Anderson)

Tuscarora High School

  • The Howl, literary magazine: First Class (Adviser: Geoff Vanduyne)

  • Iditarod, yearbook: First Class (Adviser: Rebecca Persad)

Woodgrove High School

  • The Hodge Podge, literary magazine: First Class (Adviser: Ginny Walker)

  • Vista, yearbook: First Class (Adviser: Chelsea Dyke)

  • The Woodgrove Outlander, newspaper: Second Class (Adviser: Chelsea Dyke)

  • The Outlander, online news site: Second Class (Adviser: Chelsea Dyke)

  • Wake Up Woodgrove, broadcast: First Class (Adviser: Chelsea Dyke)

The VHSL Publications Awards recognize excellence in student-produced media and provide students with opportunities to showcase the skills they develop through their school publications programs.

Learn more about the VHSL Publications Awards.