The Indiana High School Press Association announced on Feb. 28 its finalists for the Student Journalist of the Year Award. Among the five finalists is Avon High School’s Claire Rightley, editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, The Echo.

Wrote IHSPA Executive Director Ryan Gunterman: “While the full field of candidates was impressive and represented scholastic journalism programs from across the state, the competition’s judges felt these four students exemplified the best in Hoosier student media.”

Other finalists include Andrea John  and Audrey Gacsy of Crown Point High School, Jared Rigdon of Lawrence North High School and Andrew Tapp of Southport High School.

These students will be recognized and the winner will be announced at the IHSPA First Amendment Symposium at the Indiana Statehouse on March 7. The award comes with a $1,000 scholarship from IHSPA and entry into the national competition at the JEA/NSPA High School Journalism Convention in San Francisco April 12-14.

“It’s such an honor to just be a finalist, and regardless of the outcome, I’m proud of my work,” Rightley said.