The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is proud to announce that Kingwood Park junior Sydney Ortiz, the editor-in-chief of the Kingwood Park Times, is the winner of the first NAHJ high school journalism writing contest.
Her story, "For the Kids," tells the story of the Salima Marcano family, who left Venezuela in 2017 to seek a better future in the United States. With Temporary Protected Status and their asylum application pending, the family has faced significant challenges – yet Sydney's reporting captures their strength, determination and the hope they've instilled in their children, Fabio and Flavia, who have thrived at Kingwood Park.
"Sydney's story illustrates the multifaceted experience of immigrant families, from the delicate conversations parents must have with their children to the challenges of starting over in a new country," wrote the judges, who praised the story for its depth, empathy and narrative power.
As the contest winner, Sydney receives a $250 prize and a complimentary NAHJ student membership, joining a national network of journalists and mentors committed to inclusive storytelling.