Aurora Student Makes D131 History With 1st-Place Journalism Medal

AURORA, IL — A student made East Aurora School District 131 history last weekend when she placed at the Illinois High School Association Journalism State Final.

East Aurora High School senior Alexa Martinez won first place for editorial cartooning at the competition on April 25 at Heartland Community College in Normal.

“I was totally surprised and honored to receive this recognition,” she said. “It is something that I didn't expect.”

In addition to the gold medal, she was also the district's first-ever journalism state champion, making her points the first East Aurora High School scored at the meet in its history.

"I'm incredibly proud of Alexa's accomplishment," James Ross, an English and journalism teacher at East Aurora High School, told Patch in a statement. "She put in so much work since she went to state last year, and to see it pay off for her is incredible. Winning state isn't something that happens very often, so for her to go out and do it is a credit to her and her community. It goes to show that our students really can compete with anyone if they put their minds to it."

Martinez was joined by EAHS junior Tyree Roberts, who competed in review writing.