Missouri Student Journalists Earned National Awards

Student publications from Marquette and Rockwood Summit high schools achieved top national honors for their journalism.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold vector illustration featuring a bronze pen and laurel wreath, representing student academic journalism achievement. — Student journalists from Missouri's Marquette and Rockwood Summit high schools earned national honors this year for their reporting and community service. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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During the 2025-26 school year, student journalists from two Missouri high schools earned prestigious national recognition. The Marquette Messenger secured a 2026 George H. Gallup award, while Rockwood Summit's The Talon received an international first place award.

Why it matters

These awards highlight the high level of journalistic achievement and excellence occurring within Missouri secondary schools. The recognition underscores the commitment of these students to community service and reporting.

The Marquette Messenger earned its sixth consecutive George H. Gallup award. Additionally, out of 15,000 submissions for the Best of SNO award, a story by Marquette students Angel DiSalvo and Fable Mauss was named one of the top 10 entries.

The players

Marquette Messenger

This is the student newspaper publication based at Marquette High School in Missouri.

The Talon

This is the student-led news publication representing Rockwood Summit High School.

Angel DiSalvo

This student journalist co-authored a story selected as one of the 10 Best of SNO Stories of the Year.

Fable Mauss

This student journalist co-authored a story selected as one of the 10 Best of SNO Stories of the Year.

The details

Marquette high school students earned five National Scholastic Press Association finalist spots, and their publication was a finalist for the Pacemaker Award. Rockwood Summit's The Talon earned its international first place recognition from Quill and Scroll for integrated work across its newsmagazine, website, and social media platforms.

The award-winning journalism was produced throughout the 2025-26 school year.
The Marquette Messenger received the George H. Gallup award in 2026.

Culture Shift

These accolades reflect a growing emphasis on high-quality digital and print student journalism that mirrors professional industry standards. This success follows a pattern of excellence set by the National Scholastic Press Association's Pacemaker Award.

Local residents and families can support student journalism by engaging with the award-winning content produced by these high school newsrooms. The recognition serves as a testament to the rigorous academic and extracurricular opportunities available within Missouri public schools.

The takeaway

The success of these students highlights the vital role of local school news programs in developing critical thinking and communication skills. Sustained excellence in these programs prepares the next generation of journalists for professional careers.