Hi, I’m Clare!
A student journalist committed to reporting truth, telling stories and fostering the next generation of ethical journalists.
My name is Clare Kirwan and I am a senior at Harrisonburg High School (HHS). I am the Head Editor in Chief of HHS Media, the print and news outlet at HHS. I work primarily on our yearbook (TAJ) and our newspaper (The Newsstreak), but also work with the website and social media (HHS Media).
I'm headed to Northwestern University in the fall to study at the Medill School of Journalism where I hope to grow my journalism career. Go 'Cats!
My Work
If you hover on the images you will find captions, but if you click on the photos they will show you more of my work within each section. Links to the individual pages can also be found on the top menu!
"Clare is the only reason I am still a part of our program. She is the most driven and self motivated person I know and that rubs off on everyone she's around. I have found a love of graphic design from her. Clare has put her heart and soul into our program and everything we produce.”
- Ashlyn Sattva,
Graphic Design Managing Editor
"The reason I wanted to do yearbook again was solely because of Clare. I remember sitting in independent study on the first day of school last year, terrified, and when Clare came over we bonded instantly. I learned so much from her and am very thankful for her.”
- Makayla Suffecool, Page Editor
"I've never had a mentor like Clare. With every EIC I've met, I fell into a routine, writing, publishing and repeat. With Clare, she's given me the freedom to explore past what I thought were the boundaries of journalism. She encouraged me to think outside the box, especially when designing 'unboxy' spreads, and gave me many opportunities to grow."
"My 9th and 10th grade year I felt there was a disconnect between the editorial board and mentees. Clare was dedicated to making sure everyone felt like HHS Media was a space for them. Clare puts others above herself working above and beyond to make it easier for younger staffers to learn. She has made personal connections with everyone on staff.”
- Jiayi Li, Yearbook Managing Editor
- Evelyn Lewis,
Print Managing Editor
"When I first joined the staff Clare became my mentor and she helped me feel welcome in a class that was mostly upperclassmen. She was always able to help me whenever I was stuck on something and she became more than just my mentor, she became my close friend that I could talk to about anything. I can't thank her enough for how she's helped me in the past two years.”
"Clare is a great mentor. She always makes sure we understand what we are doing and pushes us to be the best we can be. She is more than just a mentor she is our friend. We can talk to her about anything."
- Joshua Saldana, Runner
- Kyleigh Morris & Addison Weakley, Staff Reporters
Read recommendation letters from...
Journalism Adviser: Valerie Kibler
Online Managing Editor: Jumana Alsaadoon
HCPS Superintendent: Michael Richards
Progression
2023-24: Head Editor in Chief
2022-23: Yearbook Managing Editor
2021-22: Page Editor
2020-21: Staff Reporter
My first year of high school was spent entirely online (as many schools around the globe were during the pandemic). However, this left a profound impact on HHS Media. I was one of only two to stick with the program after my freshman year. The low retention required me to take on many roles that previous sophomores would not have had to do such as mentoring younger students, editing stories and pages, and becoming the youngest member of the editorial board. However, being "thrown into the deep end" propelled me through the program allowing me to quickly grow as a leader and become someone my staffers and adviser knew they could always count on.
Staff Awards
2023:
- Virginia High School League (VHSL) Trophy Class, Newspaper
- Virginia High School League (VHSL) Trophy Class, Website
- Virginia High School League (VHSL) First Class, Yearbook
- Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Gold Crown Finalist, Hybrid (Online & Newspaper)
- Newspaper Pacemaker Finalist
- National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) First Class, Yearbook
- National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) All-American, Newspaper
2022:
- Virginia High School League (VHSL) First Class, Newspaper
- Virginia High School League (VHSL) Trophy Class, Website
- Virginia High School League (VHSL) First Class, Yearbook
- Quill and Scroll International First Place Award
- National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) First Class, Yearbook
- National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) All-American, Newspaper
2021:
- Virginia High School League (VHSL) First Class, Website
- Virginia High School League (VHSL) First Class, Yearbook
- First Amendment Press Freedom Award
- Online Pacemaker Finalist
- Quill and Scroll International First Place Award
2020:
- Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Gold Crown
- Quill and Scroll George H. Gallup Award
Individual Awards
2024:
- JEA Virginia Student Journalist of the Year
- CSPA National Champion, Alternative Story Form: "Most Used App Polls"
- CSPA Third Place, Informational Graphics: "Political Polls"
- CSPA Typography Crown Mention: "Diversity Special Feature"
- CSPA Page One Design Crown Mention: "Celebrating our diversity"
- CSPA Feature Page Design Crown Mention: "Feature Senior Edition"
2023:
- Al Neuharth Free Spirit Virginia Representative
- Quill & Scroll Student Advisory Board Activities Leader
- Best of Sno: "Saldana scouted by Spanish Academy, trains with Alcorcon in Spain"
- Best of Sno: "Duong, Thompson bring Asian Student Association vision to life"
- VHSL Finalist "Newspaper: Best Review Section - The Book Nook"
- VHSL (2nd Place) Yearbook: "Best Graphic - Political Timeline"
- JMU Journalism Camp: "Best Reporter"
2022:
- Best of Sno: "Hurricane Fiona hits Puerto Rico hard, impacts felt in Harrisonburg"
- Best of Sno: "Wilder walks Gonzalez down aisle, Cedeno recounts day"
- Best of Sno: "U.S. Secretary of Education, Cardona, stops by Bluestone Elementary"
- Best of Sno: "“After All This”: the story behind the album"
- Best of Sno: "Amidst allegations at Broadway High, Fulton-Wright outraged, Friend turns trauma to activism"
- VHSL Finalist Yearbook: "Best Personality Photo - Artist Rose Trainum"
*Over 13 individual HHS Media staff awards accumulated in design, writing, leadership and advertising sales
Attendee
2024:
- JEA/NSPA Spring Conference Kansas City (Scheduled to Present)
2023:
- JEA/NSPA Fall Conference Boston (Presenter)
- JEA/NSPA Spring Conference San Francisco
- CSPA New York Conference
- Al Neuharth Free Spirit Conference hosted by the Freedom Forum
- Al Neuharth Excellence in Media Ceremony with panel by Maria Hinojosa
- "Back to School, Back to Student Journalism" hosted by the Freedom Forum and Press Pass NYC director
- "The Increasing Threats Facing Journalists Worldwide" hosted by the Dow Jones News Fund and the Freedom Forum
- James Madison University Journalism Camp (jCamp)
- Virginia High School League (VHSL) Media Conference (Presenter)
2022:
- JEA/NSPA Spring Conference Los Angeles
2021:
- JEA/NSPA Fall Conference (Online)
What an experience this has been.
Six years ago I joined a middle school journalism workshop hoping for something to fill my time. I watched in awe as a senior in the program, Nyah Phengsitthy, polished her Journalist of the Year portfolio, impressed by her passion and drive. Now, after crafting my own portfolio, I feel equally as proud of myself. Journalism has always been an outlet where I can showcase my creativity without having to be in front of the camera or on the page myself. Yet as I carefully crafted and compiled the pages of this portfolio highlighting my work over the last four years, I was grateful for the opportunity to reflect on my growth as a person and a journalist.