Journalism Education Association (JEA) is a national organization for advisers and students that drives a state-level branch in partnership with Kentucky Journalism Teacher’s Association (KYJTA). This branch with KYJTA creates the official JEA Kentucky.
JEA Kentucky is a professional network and knowledge base for middle and high school advisers and their students. This organization zeros in on protecting the student freedom of expression and press, as well as providing the resources needed to run and perfect these student-led papers, yearbooks and multimedia programs.
Every year, JEA Kentucky gets a handful of applications to become either the Journalist Adviser of the Year or Journalist of the year. After looking through many applications, one caught the eye of the association. Ella Peabody (12) won the title of Journalist of the year.
“This was very unexpected. I threw my name into this application, and I would’ve never expected this outcome. I’ve always loved writing, with motivation coming from my mother, who is a published author, as well as my family. My family really preached early on that I need to be informed, which has compelled me to be a good learner of facts, and now a person who write about facts,” Peabody said.
Peabody is the first publications student at Highlands High School to have won the title of Journalist of the Year. She has gone above and beyond working, writing and communicating with her fellow journalists.
Peabody is the editor-in-chief of The Hilltopper, Highlands High School’s digital newspaper, and an overall rock in the publications program, Laber (11) will be the 2026-2027 publications programs editor-in-chief. With Laber (11) following in the footsteps of Peabody, she will only continue to strive for excellence to continue with what Peabody made alive in the program.
“I believe Ella is the most deserving person for this award, she puts so much heart into everything she does and she is an incredible leader; this program would not be what it is today without her,” Laber (11) said.
Peabody’s time in the program has been long and enjoyable for all, especially for the one who has gotten to watch and experience it all alongside her. Beth Brubaker, publications teacher, has been a constant in Peabody’s journey with-in the program.
“Ella has been in the program for four years, being here before we ended up really having a program. She’s been with us, laying the foundation for what we’ve built for the last four years. She is an incredible role model and leader, her passion for media and public policy has really set her apart.” Brubaker said.
Peabody is known for her contagious pride and passion for being a journalist within the publications program. She has a firm grasp on this program, truly showing the leadership skills that she has acquired throughout her four years in the program.
“She wasn’t here in middle school, but she came here, to a new school, and carried so much leadership and she is truly inspiring. She is kind, determined, creative and overall just such a good person,” Kaitlyn Ryan (12) said.
She is known for leadership, creativity and overall kindness, as well as for being her true self to all she comes in contact with.
“Through journalism and my writing, I have grown more confident in myself and my opinions, letting their ability to be powerful show more,” Peabody said.
From starting in the publications program as a freshman to being awarded Journalist of the Year in her senior year, Ella Peabody has gone above and beyond for her publication. According to peers, advisers and fellow journalists, Peabody is the most deserving of this title.
