Southwest High School students enjoyed a prize-winning moment in front of fellow Nebraska journalists this fall.
The Silver Hawks displayed their writing, photography and layout design skills at the 2026 Nebraska High School Press Association (NHSPA) Fall Convention. Staff members of The Talon yearbook earned a Cornhusker Award for their journalism work during the 2025-26 school year. The Cornhusker Award is the top honor that Nebraska high school newspaper, yearbook, broadcast and digital media newsrooms can earn each year.
Southwest senior Lauryn and junior Elsa were elated when their school’s name was called. They were part of a yearbook team that captured the program’s tenth straight Cornhusker Award.
“I felt a lot of pride and just this overwhelming feeling of joy that our work had paid off and that it was something that people found enjoyable to look at and read,” Lauryn said.
“For me, knowing that the team’s hard work resulted in a state award is a really satisfying feeling,” Elsa said. “I am overly proud of the hard work shown last year from myself and the team, and to have that recognized with the award makes all of the stress to hit our numerous deadlines totally worth it.”
Southwest journalism teacher Delani Young said the group relied on work ethic and cooperation to rise to the occasion. Many Silver Hawks entered the year with no previous journalism experience, but they handled the learning curve with a positive mindset. Their solution-centered ideas led to many smiles at the state convention.
“I don’t know if the students fully understood what the award meant when it was first announced, so when we got together after the opening session and I was explaining the significance of the award they received, they got really excited,” Young said. “It was a huge honor, and they felt so proud of their work last year.”
Independent publication judges reviewed yearbook submissions from high schools across the state this summer. Students sent digital copies of their publications to certified judges and filled out a two-page entry form. The form provided information about the number of pages in the yearbook, how many people were on staff, how students accessed senior photos and which software products they produced the yearbook with.
Students could also attach a separate letter to judges with their entry. Schools could inform them about unusual challenges or special circumstances they encountered while creating their yearbooks.
Judges evaluated yearbooks in five areas: concept, coverage, writing, design and photography. They rated how yearbook staffs utilized their publication’s overall theme, how well they covered all areas of school and student life and how well they followed accepted journalistic guidelines for copy and captions. They also critiqued the technical quality of yearbook photos and how well students used design principles to communicate their theme and coverage.
Judges reviewed and wrote comments on each page of a school’s publication. Yearbook staffs could receive Cornhusker, Superior, Distinction or Merit awards for their work.
Lauryn was among a group of Silver Hawks who were nervous about maintaining the school’s long Cornhusker Award winning streak. Those worries melted away when NHSPA presenters announced Southwest’s name during an awards ceremony.
“I wish more people had been able to see our faces when they called our name,” Lauryn said. “Our jaws were quite literally on the floor.”
Lauryn said working on the 2025-26 edition of The Talon taught her many valuable life lessons. She completed multiple projects before their due dates, solved problems with her classmates and came up with creative ideas for yearbook spreads. She is continuing to blossom in her new position as editor-in-chief of the 2026-27 yearbook.
“As I’ve taken on the role of editor-in-chief this year, I have also learned many more skills,” Lauryn said. “I’ve learned how to be a leader and how to handle stress in a healthier way. I’ve definitely had my struggles this year, but I am also learning so many new skills that it makes it all worth it. I know these kinds of skills are going to be very helpful to me later in life.”
Elsa said her two years on the yearbook staff have also been rewarding. She said the activity has taught her time management and organizational skills, and she has learned how to be flexible and find solutions to unexpected challenges.
“Overall, yearbook has helped me become a better communicator, a more responsible team member and more confident in my own creative abilities,” Elsa said. “I think these are the skills that will benefit me not only in journalism, but also in other classes and future experiences outside of high school.”
Seven Silver Hawks who attended the convention beamed as they held their Cornhusker Award in a Nebraska Union conference room. Elsa said their smiles reflected a full year of coming together for the common good of The Talon.
“Even though we are all responsible for our own pages and taking our own pictures, when it comes down to it, we have to collaborate with each other and we all will at some point need help from each other to truly make the yearbook happen,” Elsa said. “For our team, collaboration has been a big part of making our yearbooks. Seeing the team work so well together made me really proud to be a part of LSW journalism.”
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