Kennedy High School students received 13 state journalism awards for work submitted to the 2013 Iowa High School Press Association Spring Contest. Students earned top ratings in writing, photography, design, podcasting, and art/illustration. Darcey Altschwager was the 2012-2013 Torch editor-in-chief and Stacy Haynes-Moore is the program adviser. Altschwager will study journalism at Kansas State University this fall. In addition to state recognition, earlier this year the Torch earned national recognition as a Pacemaker finalist by the National Scholastic Press Association.

Kennedy journalists awarded include: Hanna Krivit, jr., 3^rd Place Photo Story “Their Take on Fashion”; Mohammad Cheetany, sr., 3^rd Place Newsmagazine Design “Making the Call”, Honorable Mention Profile story “Cougar Mascot”, First Place “Podcast”; Tara Mittelberg, sr., 3^rd Place Feature story “Onward”, 2^nd Place Newsmagazine Cover “Mug Shot”, 3^rd Place Infographic “By the Numbers”, Honorable Mention Illustration “From Different Trees”; Bailey Zaputil, jr., Honorable Mention National Column “What the hell?”, Hannah Bruns, so., First Place Photos “Romney Ralley”; Darcey Altschwager, sr., 3^rd Place Photos; Jordan Lundsford, jr., Honorable Mention Photos “Gambino Performs”, 2^nd Place “Podcast”.