1st Place
Texas High School
Texarkana, TX
Instructor: Clint Smith
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- Top Program Photojournalism Mariel Galvan Texas High School Texarkana, Texas Clint Smith, Instructor After stumbling on a hurdle, sophomore Kylee Eaves picks herself up to finish the 100 meter hurdles at the 2026 Watty Myers & Kyle Preston Memorial Relays at Texas High School. Eaves also competed in the 300 meter hurdles and the 4×400 meter relay successfully later at the meet.
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- Top ProgramPhotojournalismAnnabelle DavisTexas HSTexarkana, TexasClint Smith, instructorTexas High School senior Maya Olson struggles to hold back tears on the side of the pool deck after not qualifying to advance to the 2026 State Swim Meet. Olson competed as a multiple event swimmer for the Texas High TigerSharks and lettered all four years of her high school career.
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- Top ProgramPhotojournalismAnnie SmithTexas HSTexarkana, TexasClint Smith, instructorDancing through the rain, senior Texas High School running back Tradarian Ball scores a touchdown against Tyler Legacy High School in the first game of the 2025 football season. Ball committed to play college football for the University of Oregon and plans on early graduation after the high school football season so that he can join the Ducks for spring football camp.
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- Top ProgramPhotojournalismMichelle LopezTexas HSTexarkana, TexasClint Smith, instructorHugging in a circle, senior Emily Derrick laughs with her friends before the 2025 Texas High School Commencement Ceremony at First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas. THS seniors gathered in the gym of the church prior to the start of the ceremony to spend time with their friends for the last time before officially completing their high school journey.
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- Top ProgramPhotojournalismNadia LopezTexas HSTexarkana, TexasClint Smith, instructorSenior Jamaiyah Ramos carefully fills in the outlines of her window painting in the parking lot of Texas High School the night before the first day of the 2025-2026 school year. Seniors spent the day before school cooking out with friends and participating in other club activities before assembling in the parking lot to paint their cars.
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- AdvancedPortfolio J200Annie SmithTexas High SchoolTexarkana, TXClint Smit, instructorSenior Student Council members watch the fireworks display during their final annual bonfire pep rally. Illuminated by the lights, the seniors reflect on their bright futures after high school.
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- Top ProgramPhotojournalismAnnabelle DavisTexas HSTexarkana, TexasClint Smith, instructorAfter breaking the school record, senior Caleb Lauterbach celebrates his win at the 2026 5A Region IV swim meet in New Caney, Texas. Lauterbach’s win secured his qualification to compete in the 500 meter race at the State Swim Meet.
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- Top ProgramPhotojournalismNadia LopezTexas HSTexarkana, TexasClint Smith, instructorSports medicine senior Areli Estrada irrigates the turf burn of Texas High School cornerback senior C.J. Akins. Sports medicine students gain knowledge and experience from helping to treat injuries of THS student athletes.
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- Top Program PhotojournalismLeah CrowTexas High SchoolTexarkana, TexasClint Smith, InstructorReacting to the cold and wet paint hitting their backs, sophomore yearbook students Lola Currie and Cruz Hopkins receive the initial shots of the 2026 Student Media Paint War. Each year new recruits to yearbook, newspaper and the visual journalism staff end their summer training boot camp with the paint war to create personalized t-shirts for the participants.
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- Top Program PhotojournalismGrant SpicherTexas High SchoolTexarkana, TexasClint Smith, InstructorProtected by welding gloves and helmets, students in the new Texas High School Career and Technology Building 2 build utility trailers as part of entrepreneurial and fund raising efforts. CTE 1 and CTE 2 became fully operational in the spring semester of the 2025-2026 school year after over a year of construction time.
2nd Place
Westlake High School
Austin, TX
Instructor: Alison Strelitz
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- Division (Student) Top Program – photojournalism Isa Cruz Westlake High School Austin, TX Alison Strelitz, instructor IN THE AIR, senior Frances Bernard leaps across the stage during her spotlight solo Nov. 4. “It felt really cool to finally do my solo on stage for the last time,” Bernard said. “I love how the beginning of the dance shows how the simplicity of movement can speak a lot. I’m quite used to doing leaps so the leap in my dance was not hard.”
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- Division (Student) Top Program – photojournalismGreyson MartinWestlake High SchoolAustin, TXAlison Strelitz, instructorWith a crowd of elementary-aged Chaps reaching for his hand, former Chap and NFL Hall of Famer Drew Brees high fives his fans. Brees came back to Ebbie Neptune Stadium Oct. 24 for the homecoming game and participated in a jersey retirement ceremony ahead of the game against rival Lake Travis.
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- Division (Student) Top Program – photojournalismAmir TornsWestlake High SchoolAustin, TXAlison Strelitz, instructorIn honor of the victims of 9/11, participants of the 911 Memorial Tower Climb hiked to the top of the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) Observation Tower Sept. 11, 2025. Individuals and teams climbed the 25-story tower, which was 419 steps, with proceeds supporting the Samaritan Center’s Hope for Heroes program for veterans and first responders.
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- Division (Student) Top Program – photojournalismAmir TornsWestlake High SchoolAustin, TXAlison Strelitz, instructorFilled with relief, sophomore Titus Ballard splashes water over his head over himself post race Oct. 8. “I think I came back and did well enough,” Ballard said. “I was recovering from an in jury and did my best, I’m proud of that.”
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- Division (Student) Top Program – photojournalismElinor LatkowskiWestlake High SchoolAustin, TXAlison Strelitz, instructorCelebrating their win, seniors Angel Livengood and Siyona Dubey cheer on the sidelines of the annual Powder Puff game. March 9 Teams were coached by football players in a bracket-style tournament.
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- Division (Student) Top Program – photojournalismElinor LatkowskiWestlake High SchoolAustin, TXAlison Strelitz, instructorHands full of flames, sophomore Savanna Oglesbee experiments with solutions in Chemistry Jan. 15.
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- Division (Student) Top Program – documentaryJake StrelitzWestlake High SchoolAustin, TXAlison Strelitz, instructorALONE IN THE end zone, wide receiver junior Rhett Jenkins celebrates a 36-yard touchdown grab in the Chaps’ match up against Atascocita Sept. 12. Chap receivers combined for 11 catches, 186 yards and two scores in the 35-28 victory. “It was really awesome to score,” Jenkins said. “It gave our team a great boost of momentum in the second quarter.”
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- Division (Student) Top Program – photojournalismJake StrelitzWestlake High SchoolAustin, TXAlison Strelitz, instructorChap mens basketball fans in the student section celebrate Jan. 9 in rival Lake Travis’ gym. The Chaps lost 62-64 in a nailbiter, double overtime game that ended with an LT buzzer beater shot.
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- Division (Student) Top Program – photojournalismCharlie FillpotWestlake High SchoolAustin, TXAlison Strelitz, instructorScreaming in celebration, pitcher senior T Collard encourages his teammates on the field in the game against Lake Belton March 13. Chaps fell short 0-2.
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- Division (Student) Top Program – photojournalismGreyson MartinWestlake High SchoolAustin, TXAlison Strelitz, instructorTrophy held high, senior Gavin Chibib and the varsity team celebrate their first place district finish. Their 4-0 win over Dripping Springs March 10 marked the first time in 14 years that the Chaps won district.
3rd Place
Caney Creek High School
Conroe, TX
Instructor: Stephen Green
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- Top Program Photojournalism Sophia Miranda Caney Creek High School Conroe, Texas Stephen Green, instructor Members of the Panteras En Fuego Hispanic dance group finish a performance at Creighton Elementary on Oct. 9.
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- Top Program Photojournalism Sophia Miranda Caney Creek High School Conroe, Texas Stephen Green, instructor Senior Logan Day is shocked as he finds out he won the Texas Journalist of the Year on March 5. His father, grandmother and grandfather were on site watching. He was surprised by the award because he thought the ceremony was for the district’s Texas Standard Award, which he also won. Then, TAJE board member Andrea Negri surprised Day with the announcement.
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- TopProgram Photojournalism Logan Day Caney Creek High School Conroe, TX Stephen Green, instructor A young audience member rests his head on the sanctions in front of the stage of the Montgomery Fairgrounds Stadium during the Charlie Kirk Memorial Service Sept. 30. Event organizer Charlie Diggs called the youth to political action through his speeches.”Since Kirk always spoke to our young generations,” Diggs said. “I only thought it was right to hae them here.”
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- Top Program Photojournalism Karson Ward Caney Creek High School Conroe, Texas Stephen Green, instructor Students fight during musical chairs at the red, white and blue pep rally.
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- Top Program Photojournalism Logan Day Caney Creek High School Conroe, TX Stephen Green, instructor Klein High School Graduate Alexandra West shouts and Jamie and Jerome Tompkins attempt to fit the boots they gifted her during Wests graduation party May 31, 2025.
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- Top Program Photojournalism Milagros Zambrano Caney Creek High School Conroe, Texas Stephen Green, instructor A Creek Cubs student practices both coloring skills and letter recognition..
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- Top Program Photojournalism Robert Snyder Caney Creek High School Conroe, Texas Stephen Green, instructor Members of the Starlettes dance crew perform at the Holiday Star Ball on Dec. 12.
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- Top Program Photojournalism Jay Berry Caney Creek High School Conroe, Texas Stephen Green, instructor Daniela Prieto stands at graduation as one going into the armed forces after high school.
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- Top Program Photojournalism Aaron Ramirez Caney Creek High School Conroe, Texas Stephen Green, instructor Student Council members paint posters Sept. 23 after school.
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- Top Program Photojournalism Juliana Flores Caney Creek High School Conroe, Texas Stephen Green, instructor Students dance at the homecoming dance Oct. 4.
Honorable Mention
Tomball High School
Tomball, TX
Instructor: Jerry Fordyce
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- Top Program; PhotoJ; Ace Garcia; Tomball, TX; Jerry Fordyce, instructor.
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- Top Program; PhotoJ; Eric Wolfe; Tomball, TX; Jerry Fordyce, instructor.
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- Top Program; PhotoJ; Julielle Avila; Tomball, TX; Jerry Fordyce, instructor.
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- Top Program; PhotoJ; Julielle Avila; Tomball, TX; Jerry Fordyce, instructor.
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- Top Program; PhotoJ; Madelyn Conley; Tomball, TX; Jerry Fordyce, instructor.
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- Top Program; PhotoJ; Addison Taberner; Tomball, TX; Jerry Fordyce, instructor.
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- Top Program; PhotoJ; Oakland Ashmore; Tomball, TX; Jerry Fordyce, instructor.
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- Top Program; PhotoJ; Valentina Mora; Tomball, TX; Jerry Fordyce, instructor.
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- Top Program; PhotoJ; Abigail Van Lue; Tomball, TX; Jerry Fordyce, instructor.
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- Top Program; PhotoJ; Ace Garcia; Tomball, TX; Jerry Fordyce, instructor.
