Ava Knapp, co-editor-in-chief of The Paly Voice, will be moving onto national competition after being named the Journalism’s Education Association’s 2026 California Journalist of the Year.
The surprise announcement came in the Voice class today with Knapp’s parents and brother attending, along with the Madrono yearbook staff, and involved Principal Brent Kline initially pretending to be sharing breaking news on a different topic.
Knapp had no idea what was happening until Kline announced she had won and the news appeared in a graphic on the classroom presentation screen.
According to Knapp, she was shocked hearing this news. She said the process of making her journalism portfolio as well as writing 57 Voice stories was stressful but fulfilling in the end.
“I was so surprised and didn’t know I had won,” Knapp said. “I was still editing my [application] portfolio this morning and hoping they [judges] hadn’t looked at it yet because it was missing parts. It [the work] has definitely paid off, the full process [of making her portfolio] was a new way to reflect on what I’ve done.”
Paul Kandell, adviser for the Voice, who has taught Knapp for nearly three years, said the award is well-earned and reflects her impact as both an editor and writer.
“My first reaction is this is an extraordinarily well-deserved award,” Kandell said. “Ava has been really inspirational as a journalist and leader, ever since she stepped through the doors of our news classroom two and a half years ago.”
According to Kandell, her initiative and persistence in reporting are qualities that set her apart from other student journalists.
“She is creative in finding news angles and determined in the pursuit of her stories,” Kandell said. “She was the only student to go to the federal courthouse in San Francisco to watch a key hearing in the biggest California student press law case. It showed she not only cared but was determined to get ongoing coverage.”
Kandell said that her interview style balances toughness with respect, leaving a strong impression.
“She has been aggressive and graceful reporting about administrative leaders on campus and at the district office,” Kandell said. “One of the results has been that adults come away feeling they were treated fairly and with respect even when she had tough questions.”
Assistant Principal Jerry Berkson, who has been interviewed by Knapp multiple times, said her conversational approach makes interviews feel natural.
“What makes her stand apart from most journalists that I have worked with is her ability to start an interview and let the questions and answers grow organically throughout the conversation,” Berkson said. “I never felt like she had a set list of questions to ask. She is a pro at what she does.”
Brian Wilson, adviser of Madrono and Viking, said Knapp’s connection within the school community made her stand out.
“Ava is one of those students in the program who I’ve never had in class but kind of know and that speaks volumes in terms of being out there and connecting with people,” Wilson said. “She’s part of this Paly tradition where people talk about how important it is to make sure that the knowledge, the skills and the abilities that they’ve learned and gained get passed along to people in the future.”
Wilson said Knapp represents the ideal qualities of a journalist.
“It [her win] is amazing,” Wilson said. “She is a perfect representation of everything that a journalist should be … because she’s so talented and so passionate.”
Co-Editor-in-Chief Veronica Qiu said she has spent a remarkable amount of time on journalism.
“Every time I see her in the morning, I see her working on her journalism portfolio or showing me the new email chain with [PAUSD Superintendent] Don Austin,” Qiu said. “That’s how committed I know she is.”
As part of the award, Knapp will receive a $1,000 Arnetta Garcin Memorial Scholarship for the Journalism Education Association of Northern California and advance to represent California in the national competition from April 16 to 18.
