Kearney High School’s broadcast and yearbook students turned in an impressive performance at the recent 2026 Journalism Day event at the University of Missouri, the state competition for scholastic journalism programs. 

Competing in the Medium Schools classification against schools with enrollments of 700 to 900 students, KHS earned honors across a wide range of broadcast, design and photography categories.

Leading the way were two All-Missouri first-place finishes. Ryan Pedee and Zach Service earned top honors in Live Sports Talent, while Connor Ethen captured first place in Traditional Yearbook Package Clubs/Organizations for “Marching Band.” KHS students also earned multiple Superior (second-place) awards, including Archer Schmidt and Rubi Canales for Yearbook Sports Spread Design for “Men’s Swim,” Rubi Canales for Yearbook Portrait Spread Design for “Junior Portrait Mod,” and Thomas Smithmier for Broadcast News Story for “Missouri House Bill 2230.” In addition, the KHS staff earned Superior honors for Broadcasting Announcements with Video and Live Sports Team Broadcast for “Savannah at Kearney Football.”

KHS also brought home a strong group of Excellent (third-place) finishes. Avery Pickering and Lyla Wagner were recognized for Yearbook Sports Spread Design for “Softball,” Harrison Young earned honors for Broadcast Human Interest Feature for “Robotics Kick Off,” Jordyn Doitchinoff and Kinsley Walters were recognized for Yearbook Sports Spread Design for “Women’s Volleyball,” and Jordyn Doitchinoff also placed for Sports Action Photo for “Men’s Basketball.” The KHS staff was additionally recognized for Overall Yearbook Theme/Concept for “While We’re Here.”

Additional Honorable Mention honors went to Elizabeth Jarvis for Sports Feature/Reaction Photo for “Men’s Basketball Student Section,” Kyle Walker for Portrait Photo for “Homecoming Parade,” and Libby Dodson for Student Life Photo for “Broadway vs Decades Choir.” 

Congratulations to all of these students and to KHS Publications/Broadcasting Teacher Jackie Uptegrove on a tremendous showing at one of Missouri’s premier student journalism competitions.