The North Carolina Scholastic Media Association (NCSMA) selectedThe Pirates’ Hook as an All-North Carolina newspaper in its 2026 student media contest.
The Hook earned the NCSMA’s highest rating for the fifth consecutive year and eleventh time in school history. Recipients “demonstrate excellence in all areas of journalism, combining effective writing and design with broad and diverse coverage,” according to the NCSMA’s website.
In addition to winning first prize in social media, Riverside student journalists also won 14 individual awards.
First Place
Austin Wymore (feature photo): Thousands march through downtown Durham for “No Kings” protest
Chandler Cates (entertainment/feature column): The story behind the style
Taj Harrell (sports column): Biking across the South taught me Black history
Tatum Asrican (graphic): If the most iconic Halloween characters fought, who would be the last one standing?
Nico Jordan and Nelson Kerr-Ritche (editorial): Apathy won
Elodie Page (sports article): From “I want it all” to “I want to repeat”: Stephanie Diaz-Mendoza prepares to defend wrestling title (p8)
Kalissa Everett (news photo): Tavia Webley named 2026 RHS Teacher of the Year
Austin Wymore (front page design): Black History Month special edition
Isabelle Abadie (inside spread design): A year after a Title IX investigation threatened to end their season, the Pirates finished with their best record in a decade (p8-9)
Second Place
Fiona Fehrman (breaking news): National Honor Society seeks new advisor
Dahlia Ponce Santos and Yohana Flores (personality profile): RPC by day, DJ Kraze by night: Delbert Jarmon brings unique experience to Riverside
Third Place
Norah Lubeck and Conrad Hamel (feature article): Stuck in the past: Most of Riverside’s hallway art is over two decades old. Students say it’s time for an update.
Norah Lubeck (inside page design): Where Christmas trees change lives
Honorable Mention
Jason Iwara and Isabelle Abadie (feature article): “It’s that feeling of home…and knowing that you’re not alone.” Familial Love And Respect Inspired Many RHS Teachers To Attend HBCUs
The awards were announced during the North Carolina Scholastic Media Institute, a 3-day summer camp for high school journalists in June at UNC-Chapel Hill. Full contest results are available at the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association’s website.
