The Journalism Education Association names nine teachers as 2026 Rising Stars to recognize their dedication to scholastic journalism and media advising. They will be recognized at the Fall 2026 JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Orlando this November.
Rising Star Awards are presented to advisers who are in their first five years of advising and have had success advising at least one media program.
The 2026 Rising Stars are:
- Michael Abrams, The Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
- Brooke Acosta, West Broward High School, Pembroke Pines, Florida
- Tishtrya Cama, Rock Hill High School, Frisco, Texas
- Natacha Delgado, Somerset Academy Prep, Miami
- Genifer Freeman, Northwest Rankin Middle School, Flowood, Mississippi
- Hannah Shumsky Marrie, State College Area High School, Pennsylvania
- Savannah Miller, CJE, Montverde (Florida) Academy
- Grace Podjeski, Rockwood Summit High School, Fenton, Missouri
- Cortney Wood, Plano West Senior High School, Texas
Michael Abrams
Michael Abrams is an English and journalism teacher at The Baldwin School, an all-girls independent school near Philadelphia where he has advised the student newspaper, The Hourglass, for four years.
Retired adviser Ellen Austin, MJE, taught Abrams beginning journalism when he was a student at Palo Alto High School in California. He went on to become editor-in-chief of their newspaper, The Campanile. After they reconnected during the Fall 2024 JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Philadelphia, Austin began mentoring him.
“It’s been a blessing to see how a former student has internalized the work of his youth, incorporating those values and ideals in his current instruction,” Austin said. “Michael adheres strongly to a belief in student agency in choosing story topics, angles and direction of the publication.”
Head of Upper School Christie Reed said she points other teachers to observe Abrams if they want to see something “masterful and inspiring.”
“He holds his writers, editors and every member of the team to extremely high standards because he knows they can meet them,” Reed said. “He challenges them to push boundaries, but in ethical, meaningful ways and not in a ‘stick-it-to-the-school’ kind of manner. He demands professionalism from the students, while offering suggestions without judgment. He creates a space that welcomes all contributors to bring their strengths and build on improving their weaknesses. He allows for new ideas and student voices to reign supreme. And he ultimately guides those students to produce an exceptional, thought-provoking and informative student newspaper that has become a highlight of our marketing materials.”
Brooke Acosta
Brooke Acosta has advised The Edge yearbook at West Broward High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida, for five years. Their 2025 book was a National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker Finalist.
Florida adviser Kara Mullins, CJE, met Acosta when she was a new adviser during the first in-person year after the COVID-19 pandemic. She was the fourth adviser at the school in five years, and the district had temporarily recalled the yearbooks the previous year over coverage of the Black Lives Matter movement.
“The staff she took over was a bit demoralized after the public controversy and lack of trust in the program,” Mullins said. “Brooke dove head first into educating herself on scholastic journalism and yearbook.”
When Mullins was a Florida Scholastic Press Association district director, Acosta stepped up to assist with the district workshop, willing to do whatever was needed to help. She has since “expanded her circle of knowledge” by attending state and national conventions.
“Brooke is a fierce student advocate who empowers her students to learn and lead using their First Amendment rights as student journalists while continually learning and growing herself,” Mullins said. “Brooke has taught them how to navigate tricky editorial decisions without
prior review from administration because of the trust her program has gained under her tenure.”
Editor-in-chief Dylan Ho said Acosta has created a classroom that feels like a second home.
“Her door is always open and she serves as a helping hand or listening ear when needed,” Ho said. “She is a humble, kind person who pushes others to their potential and celebrates their accomplishments.”
Tishtrya Cama
Tishtrya Cama advises broadcast, newspaper and yearbook at Rock Hill High School in Frisco, Texas. Before advising, she worked with Toyota Headquarters as a contracted media specialist supporting internal and external communications. She was also a journalism student at Prosper High School, where she gained experience in yearbook, newspaper and broadcast.
When leaving Rock Hill, former media adviser Margie Mohtasham Raper, MJE, told administrators that they should consider dividing the responsibilities among several people unless they hired Cama.
“She was the one person I believed could step into the position and lead the entire program,” Raper said. “As the former adviser, I have found tremendous peace in watching students I care deeply about become Tish’s students. They trust her, depend on her and have faith in her leadership. She has respected the foundation of the program while beginning to shape it through her own strengths and vision.”
Former Rock Hill Media student leader Chris Scamardo said that Cama’s guidance turned what could have been a rebuilding year into an extremely successful year instead.
“She pushed us to go outside our boundaries and produce industry level work that gave me and many of her students a new perspective on media,” Scamardo said. “I know this success was a direct result from her adaptability in high stake situations and her endless commitment to putting her students in the best possible position to learn. She has taught me how to face issues head-on and shown me how to develop a small staff into a powerhouse as Rock Hill enters a new era.”
Natacha Delgado
Natacha Delgado advises SoPrep TV at Somerset Academy Prep in Miami. The middle school broadcast program has won many national awards, including a 2025 National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker.
Florida Scholastic Press Association President Zach Garrett said what makes Delgado impressive is that she built her program from the ground up.
“She did not inherit a nationally recognized program. She created one,” Garrett said. “Through relentless work, fundraising, long hours and an unwavering commitment to students, she transformed her middle school broadcast program into one of the most respected programs in the country. Her students consistently produce work at a level far beyond what most people would expect from middle school journalism, and that standard of excellence has pushed programs across our area to improve.”
Parent Jessica Swindell said the impact Delgado had on her family was “profound.”
“She is the rare kind of educator who leaves a permanent mark on a child’s heart and career path,” Swindell said. “My oldest daughter, Madison, left her program years ago, yet Natacha has never stopped being her mentor. Even throughout high school, Natacha remained a consistent source of guidance and support, proving that her commitment to her students’ personal growth is lifelong. Furthermore, my son, who has always been laser focused on becoming a professional football player, found an entirely new world through her program. Under her wing, he discovered a genuine passion for TV production. This shift in perspective gave him confidence, creativity and excitement about a future he had not previously imagined.”
Genifer Freeman
Genifer Freeman advises yearbook at Northwest Rankin Middle School in Flowood, Mississippi. She worked as a professional journalist before becoming a music teacher in 2003 and is now in her fifth year as a yearbook adviser.
Mississippi adviser Shari Chumley, MJE, was assigned to be Freeman’s mentor through JEA.
“Ms. Freeman loves and champions her middle school journalists, teaching them to function at the same level as students many years older,” Chumley said. “Ms. Freeman’s students are empowered to make all editorial decisions. She requires her students to accurately reflect the diversity of her school on every page and in every story. She uses her 18-year career as a journalist to teach her middle school students the values and principles of good reporting and storytelling. Her students are given data on the school population’s demographics and learn to disseminate that data and understand how to increase coverage of all voices.”
Freeman even led a session on her use of DEI principles at a recent JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention.
Parent Melody Martin said it was a privilege to watch her daughter grow during her three years on Freeman’s staff.
“What stands out most about Mrs. Freeman is her ability to balance high expectations with genuine support,” Martin said. “She challenged her students to produce quality work, but she never set them up for failure. Deadlines were reasonable, expectations were clear, and students were encouraged to think through problems rather than give up when things became difficult. My daughter learned responsibility, time management, perseverance and confidence in her classroom.”
Hannah Shumsky Marrie
Hannah Shumsky Marrie co-advises the Lions’ Digest online news website and Little Lion Yearbook at State College Area High School in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania School Press Association President Aaron Fitzpatrick, MJE, was Marrie’s high school adviser.
“She empowers students to take ownership of their publications, navigate complex questions involving media law and ethics, and uphold the principles of responsible journalism,” Fitzpatrick said. “These accomplishments reflect not only her technical expertise, but also her ability to inspire confidence, cultivate leadership and help young journalists discover their own voices.“
School board member Anne Demo got to know Marrie as a parent whose neurodiverse son thrived under Marrie’s leadership.
“Exceptional advisers change lives, and Hannah changed the trajectory of my son’s future,” Demo said. “As a school board member, I have the privilege of celebrating the successes of the State High journalism program. One of the highlights was participating in the inaugural Student Media Day, where school leaders toured the studio and learned about the diverse publications, broadcasts and podcasts. During our tour, I was incredibly impressed with the editors’ knowledge and passion for student press rights.
“When a policy on student rights and responsibilities was on our policy agenda, my conversation with the student editors came right to mind and I asked that we pause our discussion until we could hear directly from student leaders. Hannah doesn’t simply teach students about the First Amendment; she empowers them to understand it so well that their advocacy influences school board policy discussions.”
Savannah Miller, CJE
Savannah Miller, CJE, advises The Interlachen yearbook and The Aerie literary magazine at Montverde Academy in Florida. Their 2025 yearbook was a National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker Finalist.
Walsworth Yearbooks Journalism Education Strategist Sabrina Cady said Miller has made herself indispensable.
“She is a caretaker, role-model, inspiration, guide, adviser, mentor and friend to every kid that has the privilege to walk in her classroom,” Cady said. “She is wholeheartedly invested in improving every aspect of her students’ lives, and it shows in every encounter she has.”
Former student Lyder Reksten said Miller’s greatest achievement is the students who leave her classroom more confident, capable and prepared than when they entered.
“Looking back now, I am still struck by the confidence Mrs. Miller placed in me long before I felt I had earned it,” Reksten said. “Yet that is what she does best. Time and time again, she has a remarkable ability to recognize potential before students recognize it in themselves. Many advisers wait for students to become confident before giving them responsibility. Mrs. Miller does the opposite. She gives students responsibility, and confidence follows.
“Four years ago, I joined yearbook knowing almost nothing. Today, I am leaving as a three-year editor-in-chief of a publication I am immensely proud of, carrying leadership skills, creative confidence and a love of storytelling that will stay with me long after graduation. Those things did not happen by accident. They happened because Mrs. Miller invested in me, challenged me, trusted me and believed in me long before I fully believed in myself.”
Grace Podjeski
Grace Podjeski advises Pinnacle yearbook, Talon newsmagazine and KFTN 92.7 at Rockwood Summit High School in Fenton, Missouri.
Missouri JEA State Director Christina Manolis, MJE, said she was surprised to learn Podjeski has only been advising for three years because of her strong knowledge and insight into teaching scholastic journalism.
“New teachers often overlook that the role students play in the classroom and the environment that teachers create are just as important as the material that is being taught, but this is something Grace has known since her first year teaching,” Manolis said. “While her program’s awards speak for themselves, the fact that the journalism program has doubled in size since she took over says even more: Her classroom is a place where students want to be.”
Former student Mary Corkery was Podjeski’s student for two years and is now a sophomore at the University of Missouri School of Journalism and editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Maneater.
“When I first came to Mizzou, I was insecure about my journalism experience, as my peers discussed high school publications with more students and funding,” Corkery said. “I soon realized, though, that RSHS had given me support that their schools never could. Ms. Podjeski constantly put in effort to create a culture that was welcoming to all, and her room had been my safe space, a place where I felt comfortable to be myself and speak my mind. This helped me to develop the leadership skills and confidence I need to perform my current job at The Maneater.”
Cortney Wood
Cortney Wood advises yearbook and newspaper at Plano West Senior High School in Texas. She has been advising publications since 2022 and worked in broadcast journalism before then. However, she got her start as a high school journalist, winning more awards than any student in the school’s 50-year history.
Retired adviser Mary Beth Lee said she wasn’t surprised that her former student has continued that level of excellence as an adviser. Wood won a 2023 Pathfinder Award, a rising-star award given by the Texas Association of Journalism Educators, during her first year advising. Now, Wood is a sought-after presenter for other award-winning yearbook programs
“Ms. Wood is an excellent adviser,” Lee said. “She sets the bar high for her students, and her students meet her expectations.”
CADY Sales Representative Tiffani Womack first worked with Wood as her Walsworth yearbook representative before becoming her photography representative. She said Womack’s industry experience is an asset to the students.
“With four years of broadcast and advertising experience, Cortney offers valuable knowledge to her students that can be utilized to strengthen the journalism program,” Womack said. “Cortney’s previous knowledge in yearbook and journalism has lent well to her dedication to student success. The conferences she attends with her students provide professional connections students can utilize as they graduate and look for a career path. By offering these opportunities for her students, Cortney demonstrates her dedication to their overall success outside of her newsroom. Cortney is thoughtful in her approach, and she brings an infectious energy to her work.”
Louisa Avery, MJE, JEA Awards Committee chair