Held this year on April 14 in Harrisburg, the Student Keystone Media Awards annual ceremony recognizes both high school and college-level print and broadcast journalism.

Former Tyrone Area students Tyler Weston, Ashlynn McKinney and Logan Harpster won first place for their feature story exploring the lifelong friendship between the founder of Evergreen Farms, Wayne Harpster, and the 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter.

They also recorded a podcast with Harpster in their decorated orange-and-black newsroom.

The Harpster family remembered Carter coming to their property to fish, so Tyrone Area 2025 graduate Logan Harpster teamed up with his family and fellow student journalists to write the story, said social studies and journalism teacher Todd Cammarata.

Cammarata said the story took over a year to finish, as both senior students and underclassmen contributed to the piece before its debut in February 2025.

The newsroom had more time to develop the story, which made it even better, he said.

Sophomore student Shiloh Price also took home first place in the personality profile category for her article about a resource officer leaving the district after 23 years of service.

In the same category, Weston took second place for his article about physics teacher Bryan Gruber, who also has interesting hobbies such as photography, sugarmaking and kayaking.

An aspect of student journalism that Cammarata enjoys is the awards system, as it gamifies the writing process.

“Anytime you can be recognized for something beyond the walls of school, that just gets people excited,” he said.

Tyrone’s student newspaper — The Tyrone Eagle Eye News — is the most requested elective in the district, with more than 100 students on the waitlist, he said.

The Mountain Echo/Mountain Lion TV

Altoona Area’s student newspaper, the Mountain Echo, received four awards; Bellwood-Antis’ student newspaper, the BA Blueprint, received three awards; and Tyrone Area’s student newspaper, The Eagle Eye News, received three awards.

Students Madison Aboud, Mattie Baker and Emmalee Martyak of The Mountain Echo won second place in the website category, while senior student Melissa Krainer took home an honorable mention in the Excellence in Reporting on Diversity – Equity and Inclusion category.

Krainer said she submitted a compilation of area hockey stories, including two parathletes, Wesley Hunter and Ethan Buchkovich.

Editor-in-Chief Aboud said she was lucky to have a passionate team of writers.

“It really proved to me how incredible the staff is,” she said. “They work so hard, and it wouldn’t have been possible without reporters and the editorial team.”

Wanda Vanish, junior high English teacher and newspaper publication adviser, said the student writers were excited to receive their awards, as they were judged by professional journalists.

“There is a lot of talk about the importance of journalists and what they do for society,” she said. “It’s important they’re acknowledged for the role they (student journalists) play in school.”

Altoona Area students Taylor Knepper and Maleah Koch also received first place for their blood drive public service broadcast through the school’s station, Mountain Lion Television.

Koch and Knepper were inspired to create the morning show announcement during the district’s biannual blood drive.

Koch said they interviewed an American Red Cross worker, a school counselor and an alumna who, after an accident, needed an emergency blood transfusion that saved her life. Requirements and procedures were also included in the segment.

The district broadcast station also took home second place in best sports coverage, credited to students Aiden Aiken, Megan Kelly, Alexandra Rosenberry and Adilee Scott.

Scott said that the award “demonstrates the power of putting your love into something.”

It was the station’s second year participating in the Student Keystone Media Award ceremony, according to Mountain Lion Television coordinator Michael Baker, who took on the program two years ago.

Since then, he’s focused on bringing the student community a news-centered broadcast station that not only features student news, but also highlights student sports through live broadcasts.

While students knew if they won weeks beforehand, Baker said they were still excited and proud of their accomplishments during the awards program.

It’s important to search for the truth when it comes to reporting, he said.

“The students are seeing the value of reporting the facts, and you let the audience make the decision,” he said.

The BA Blueprint

At Bellwood-Antis, student Lindsay McKinnon won first place for her sports story, uncovering the rise in flag football when it comes to high school football preparation.

McKinnon was very excited about receiving first place for her article, said adviser Kerry Naylor, who has run the student newspaper since the 2010-11 school year.

“She worked on that story for months,” he said.

Naylor said the newspaper has taken home many awards over the years, including best website in 2017, 2018 and 2025. But this year was the first time the newspaper took home an honorable mention for its newsletter.

Winning a Keystone award felt pretty good, said lead editor Kevin Stiver, adding that it gave him confidence to continue pursuing his passion.

“It shows that I’m capable of it and definitely encourages me to keep going,” he said.

Media editor Cam Gallagher also said it felt amazing to receive an honorable mention this year, as it shows the newsroom that last year’s award wasn’t a fluke.

“We can battle it out with larger schools in the area,” he said.

Gallagher also won an honorable mention for a feature photo titled “devil of a teacher.”

Naylor said it was great to watch parents see their children be recognized for their work.

“Especially with this group of kids. I’ve seen them work really hard and do what they were asked … I can only say thank you so many times, and good grades will only do so much,” he said.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.