West Chicago Community High School’s Wildcat Chronicle has been named the Best Overall Publication in Illinois in the 2026 Illinois Journalism Education Association Newspaper and Digital News Media Contest, earning the highest cumulative score across all categories in Division 3.
The Chronicle also took first place for Best Digital-Only Publication and Best Use of Social Media, capping off one of the most successful years in program history.
“This is a big accomplishment for our staff,” adviser Leslie Fireman said. “We’ve never won Best Overall Publication in our division before, so this feels like a turning point. It shows that the work the students are doing is connecting with readers and moving the program forward.”
In addition to the top publication honors, Wildcat Chronicle earned recognition across numerous categories, including first place for Best Website and Best Multimedia Story Package, as well as several individual first-place finishes:
● LJa'Nyah Villa and Milly Mora-Zarco (audio journalism)
● Ja’Nyah Villa (opinion writing)
● Jason Thunberg, Andrea Vazquez, Yurem Siu, Ny'Ara Tate (best headline)
● Alyson Dusing (infographic)
● Cesar Munoz (photo gallery)
● Ruby Guerrero (in-depth news story)
The staff also earned multiple additional top-three finishes and honorable mentions across writing, design and multimedia categories.
The contest, organized by IJEA, recognizes the top high school journalism programs in Illinois based on work published throughout the year.
Senior Editor-in-Chief Gabriella Castro, who was also one of just 17 students recently named to the IJEA All-State Journalism Team, credited the staff’s collaboration and consistency.
“These recognitions merely scratch the surface of how hard-working my peers are in what they do,” Castro said. “It shows how determined the Wildcat Chronicle staff is to continue improving, producing results and pushing themselves. Working together in the newsroom has helped this student newspaper grow into something much more. I’m so proud and grateful to work with my classmates. They deserve these recognitions and to be highlighted for their hard work.”
Co-Editor-in-Chief Ja'Nyah Villa emphasized the team’s growth across platforms.
“I would say that our team went into this year with a different approach than in previous years,” Villa said. “I spent a lot of the year before brainstorming with our adviser about what could make us better, and about what would make me better. In all honesty, this year’s group of staffers have been some of the most dedicated I’ve seen in my four years on the Chronicle, so that’s probably what made most of the difference.”
The Chronicle’s success extended beyond IJEA. At the Illinois High School Association state journalism competition, senior Juliet Payton placed sixth in the state in sports writing, further highlighting the program’s strength in traditional reporting.
Fireman said the recognition reflects both skill development and a strong newsroom culture.
“Our students are learning how to report, write and produce at a high level, but they’re also learning how to lead, collaborate and meet real deadlines,” Fireman said. “That combination is what makes this program special.”
For more information about the Wildcat Chronicle, visit wildcatchronicle.org.
About West Chicago Community High School District 94
West Chicago Community High School District 94 serves the communities of West Chicago, Winfield, Warrenville, Carol Stream, and Wheaton, Illinois. The district is committed to its mission to 'ignite a passion for learning, foster leadership & responsibility, & empower all learners to live their personal best.'
