Ellie Quinn, a senior at Lincoln High school in Sioux Falls and an editor-in-chief of the Statesman, has been named the South Dakota High School Journalist of the Year.
This honor recognizes Quinn’s reporting and leadership as she prepares to graduate this May and pursue a degree in journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
For Quinn, receiving the title of South Dakota High School Journalist of the Year represents a level of achievement that is both exciting and deeply affirming.
“Getting the recognition of South Dakota High School Journalist of the Year is definitely validating for my work,” she said. “It definitely puts me on the right track at least mentally and knowing that I could actually do this and have a career in journalism.”
Statesman adviser Katie Kroeze said Quinn has consistently demonstrated the high standards required for such an award.
“She’s always been a very meticulous reporter,” Kroeze said. “She’s always been someone that is a great interviewer and a meticulous notetaker and then the story always turns out so great.”
Throughout her high school career, Quinn has established a reputation for tackling complex subjects with an angle that resonates with her community. One of her favorite stories was a feature on the Great Outdoor Store in downtown Sioux Falls, which hosted an event promoting sustainability.
The story, which earned a “Best of SNO” award, explored the store’s partnerships with local nonprofits and its efforts to provide free gear repairs.
“I think as Sioux Falls continues to grow into a bigger city, sustainability is a conversation that we need to have and how we move forward with using our resources.” Quinn said.
The feature also was the first time Quinn experimented with photojournalism.
Quinn also said she was proud of a story she did when U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson visited Lincoln High School to teach government and economics classes. Participating in a press conference-style setting alongside reporters from commercial news outlets in Sioux Falls, Quinn’s professionalism left an impression.
“Our principal was like, ‘She was more professional than the professional journalist,’” Kroeze said. “So that felt good, like she just really takes it serious and she’s good at it.”
Beyond those stories, Quinn has shown versatility by covering emerging trends like the University of Sioux Falls’ new esports program. Despite not having a personal interest in the subject, Quinn found value in the process.
“Being able to meet some of the administration at USF and the coach and talk about this new opportunity and being able to take that and bring it back to Lincoln High School and talk to students who are interested and share what I learned with them … I think that that’s really important,” Quinn said.
Quinn’s rise to leadership within the Statesman began early in her high school career. After just one semester on staff, she took on the role of news editor, eventually becoming an editor-in-chief of the publication.
“[She] just tries to elevate everything and push people to do better and find whatever it is that could make the story more engaging or make our issue more engaging,” Kroeze said.
Quinn’s influence goes beyond the newsroom and into the Lincoln High School community. In the May senior issue, Quinn will be featured as one of five “most influential” senior females, an honor that is voted on by her peers.
“It’s a testament to how impactful she is. Not just in the newspaper, in the Statesman, but in the school and what her peers think of her,” Kroeze said. “She’s truly someone that people look up to and they find inspiration in her.
While Quinn was initially unsure of her path, her experience with student media has affirmed to her that journalism is what she wants to do.
“After joining the Statesman and being able to explore journalism in a space where mistakes are welcomed and where we’re all learning together, I think has really inspired me.”
