Hi, I'm Sophia!

Welcome to my Journalist of the Year portfolio

I'm a senior at The American School in London (ASL), where I serve as the Editor-in-Chief: Online of The Standard, ASL's hybrid student publication. In my role, I oversee The Standard's website, broadcast and social media, and over the last four years, I've progressed from reporting as a Staff Writer to leading a staff of 89 as one of two Editors-in-Chief. To browse all of my published online work on The Standard, view my staff profile here. I've been interning at Newsreel, an interactive news app startup, for over a year and am currently a fact-checker for MediaWise's Teen Fact-Checking Network. Previously, I interned at Agência Lupa, the largest fact-checking organization in Brazil. In the fall, I'll be double majoring in Journalism and Political Science at Northwestern University, where I hope to further my journalism career. 

Individual Awards

2025:

  • National Journalist of the Year Finalist | Journalism Education Association
  • International Journalist of the Year | Journalism Education Association
  • First Place Versatile Journalist of the Year | Private School Journalism Association
  • Second Place in Multimedia Feature/News Package | Quill & Scroll Writing, Visual and Multimedia Contest
  • Third Place in Review Writing | Quill & Scroll Writing, Visual and Multimedia Contest
  • Best Reporter of 2024 | Headliners in Education
  • Best School Story of 2024 | Headliners in Education
  • Third Place in Online In-Depth News/Feature Story | CSPA Gold Circle Awards
  • Certificate of Merit in Newspaper In-Depth News/Feature Story | CSPA Gold Circle Awards
  • Certificate of Merit in Online In-Depth News/Feature Story | CSPA Gold Circle Awards
  • Certificate of Merit in Newspaper Alternative Story Form | CSPA Gold Circle Awards
  • Best of SNO: "VIDEO East Asian Culture Club hosts Lunar New Year celebration"
  • Best of SNO: "GALLERY Boys varsity basketball plays TASIS in season’s final home game"
  • Best of SNO: "GALLERY Swimmers compete in full-day meet"

2024:

2023:

Positions

  • Editor-in-Chief: Online (2024-25)
  • Lead Features Editor (2023-24)
  • Media Team (2022-23)
  • Staff Writer (2021-22)

Relevant Coursework

  • Independent Study: "Who Really Won? A Comparative Analysis of Local and International Election Coverage in 2024"
  • AP English Language
  • Advanced Journalism: Editors
  • Advanced Journalism
  • Beginning Journalism
  • Introduction to Publication Design 
  • Video Journalism

Programs Attended

  • 2024 JEA/NSPA Fall NHSJC in Philadelphia, PA (Presenter)
  • 2024 Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute 
  • 2023 JEA/NSPA Fall NHSJC in Boston, MA

Staff Awards

  • NSPA Online Pacemaker Winner | 2025
  • NSPA Innovation Pacemaker Winner | 2025
  • NSPA Newspaper Pacemaker Finalist | 2022, 2023, 2024
  • NSPA Newspaper Seventh Place in Best of Show | 2024
  • SNO Distinguished Site | 2021-22, 2023-24, 2024-25
  • CSPA Gold Crown Award | 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
  • JEA First Amendment Press Freedom Award | 2024, 2025
  • JEA Excellence in Service Journalism Award | 2024
  • SPA Best Website Shortlist in National Awards | 2025
  • SPA Best Project or Initiative Shortlist in National Awards | 2025
  • SPA Highly Commended Best Digital in London Regionals | 2025
  • SPA Best Magazine Design Shortlist in National Awards | 2024
  • SPA Best Sports Section Shortlist in National Awards | 2024
  • Headliners in Education Best Continuing Coverage Writing Staff | 2025