DGN Senior Abigail (Abbe) Murphy has been named Illinois Journalist of the Year. Pictured with (l-r) Stan Zoller (IJEA), DGN Teacher Elizabeth Levin, Abbe, Brenda Field (IJEA) and DGN Principal Janice Schwarze.
Abigail (Abbe) Murphy, a senior at Downers Grove North High School, has been named the 2017 Illinois Journalist of the Year by the Illinois Journal Education Association (IJEA). She becomes the organization’s 28th Journalist of the Year since 1989 and the first from Downers Grove. The honor comes with a scholarship and makes her eligible to compete for the national title.
“We are thrilled that Abbe was selected for this prestigious honor,” says Elizabeth Levin, Downers Grove North English Teacher. “Abbe is a deserving student journalist, and this accomplishment reflects her passion for journalism.” Levin serves as the faculty advisor of the student newspaper, The Omega, and Murphy serves as editor-in-chief.
"This recognition is a testament to Abbe's skill as a journalist,” says North High Principal Janice Schwarze. “It is also a testament to the quality of our entire journalism program, so Ms. Levin deserves to be recognized as well for her guidance and hard work."
On Wednesday, March 1, representatives from Illinois Journalism Education Association, including Brenda Field and Stan Zoller, visited Murphy in her journalism class to surprise her with the news; her family also was present for the celebration.
The Illinois Journalist of the Year contest is limited to high school seniors. The winner receives a $300 prize and becomes the Illinois representative In JEA’s national-level Journalist of the Year contest. For more information, visit http://www.ijea.net/contests/student-awards/illinois-journalist-of-the-year/.
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