EMS Journalism Students

The School Board tonight recognized five East Middle School Students who were finalists for middle school journalism awards by the National Scholastic Press Association.


The awards were for work completed at East Middle School during the 2023-2024 school year. East Middle School was the only middle school in Missouri to have finalists for the awards.


Because the work was completed last year, some of the students are now at the Ninth Grade Center.


After being selected as finalists, the entries were judged at the National Scholastic Press Association convention Nov. 7 to 10 in Philadelphia.


Ninth graders Aliyah Maslak and Drew Lyon were finalists in the Design Category for their Yearbook entry, “The Middle.” They placed 5th in the nation in that category.

Eighth graders Hendrix Fern and Sierra Lopez were finalists in the Design Category for their Yearbook entry, “Robotics, Scholar Bowl, Forensics and Debate.” 

They received Honorable Mention at the national competition.

Ninth Grader Connor Franklin was a finalist in the Story category for his Broadcast on The Husky Minute. His entry was “The New Weight Room at RPEMS.” 

Connor received Honorable Mention at the national competition.


Pictured, from left: East Middle School Journalism Teacher Leanna Sisson, Drew Lyon, Connor Franklin, and Board Member Deanna Olson.