Humble ISD journalism students and educators earned top honors at the state level in 2026, including a UIL Class 6A Academic Journalism State Championship, Journalism Teacher of the Year recognition, multiple “Tops in Texas” awards and 12 UIL All-State Journalists.
Leading the district's accomplishments, Summer Creek High School students Stephanie Wong and Allison Wood captured the 2026 UIL Class 6A Academic Journalism State Championship. The pair combined for 25 points to secure the state title. Wong finished first overall in UIL Headline Writing and third overall in UIL Copy Editing, while Wood placed seventh overall in UIL News Writing. The championship team was advised by Melinda Wood.
Humble ISD also celebrated a major individual honor as Megan Ortiz of Kingwood Park High School was named Journalism Teacher of the Year for the State of Texas by the Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC), the scholastic press organization of the University Interscholastic League.
Students across the district also received recognition through the ILPC's prestigious “Tops in Texas” awards. Honorees included:
Ella Hickman, Kingwood Park High School
Tricia Darcy, Kingwood Park High School
Chloe Sales, Kingwood Park High School
Sydney Ortiz, Kingwood Park High School
In addition, Sydney Ortiz received a Best of the Best Award from the Texas Association of Journalism Educators (TAJE). Summer Creek High School student Desmond Lee also earned a TAJE Best of the Best Award.
Twelve Humble ISD students achieved UIL All-State Journalist status, an honor recognizing students who accumulate points through state and national journalism competitions.
The district's 2026 UIL All-State Journalists are:
Atascocita High School
Henry Lazarus
Anna Smith
Gianna Bellinfantie
Kingwood Park High School
Sydney Ortiz
Tricia Darcy
Cameron Minatrea
Marie Wakefield
Ella Hickman
Caleb Kazeem
Summer Creek High School
Stephanie Wong
Allison Wood
Maddax Curl