Epic Charter Schools’ student journalism program captures multiple Oklahoma Scholastic Media awards

Epic Charter Schools announced today its student-led journalism program, Epic News Network (ENN) brought home more than 10 awards and recognitions at the Oklahoma Scholastic Media (OSM) Spring Media Day. The March 26 event saw ENN score honors in such categories as photo illustration, news writing and page design. 

“ENN students compete in the Division 1 category against the largest schools in the state with much larger journalism programs in a contest that is largely centered around in-person school journalism,” said Phil Cross, ENN’s director of student journalism and creative media. “Yet, our students have proved time and time again that school journalism can be different.”

Launched in 2019 with just 30 students in its first semester, ENN now boasts a roster of 350 students participating in an array of specialty journalism courses and dozens of student journalism awards to its credit. The program has expanded beyond a single journalism-based internship into 10 classes and four instructors.

The 2025 OSM State Publication Awards bestowed upon Epic are: 

First Place: 

• Joshlyn McKey in the News Story: Politics category for her “Phones in School” article and her interview with the Governor.

• Christian Miller - in the Photo Illustration category for his photo illustration for the “Phones in School” article.

• The Comet Staff - in the category of Front Page Design for the cover design of the Fall/Winter 2024 issue of The Comet.

Other Awards:

• Jamie O'Brien - 3rd Place - Feature Story, Student Life - for her article "Virtual Loneliness: How Online Students Find Community in the Internet Ether."

• Harrison Favero - 2nd Place - Inside Page Design for his article "Going Places.”

• Cya'Lyce Harris - Honorable Mention - News Story Community - for her article "Unique Partnership brings Math+ to Millwood Students."

• Amy Martinez-Reynolds - 3rd Place - News Story Politics - for her article "Bible in Schools: Foundational Text or Forced Faith."

• Cohen Hicks - Honorable Mention - Video Package - for his interview project from Advanced Video Production entitled "Tulsa Mission Provides More Than Meals."

On Deadline Awards*:

• Joshlyn McKey - 2nd Place - News Story - for her article "Social Media Slang."

• J.J. Stehn - 2nd Place - Sports Column  - for his article "OPINION: Risks vs Rewards in NIL Debate."

*In the On Deadline competition, students are provided writing prompts and have less than two weeks to complete their finished articles.  

Critical Service Awards:

ENN’s website (epicnetworknews.org) and ENN’s print publication, The Comet, both received Highest Honors distinctions, which allows them to go on to compete in the All Oklahoma designation for ENN. 

“To say I'm proud of the students who have worked so hard this year for our publications is an understatement,” Cross said. “I'm also incredibly proud of all the ENN teachers who have led these students and helped them create powerful stories that impact their communities.”

Epic Superintendent Bart Banfield echoed Cross’ sentiments when he said ENN students’ work is both impressive and helping transform their passions into marketable skills.

“One thing we strive for at Epic is to make sure each of our students is future-ready and in demand by the time they graduate high school,” Banfield said. “These outstanding student journalists are gathering real-world skills that will serve them well as they move into adulthood.”