Senior wins state title in IHSA Journalism Finals

Zachary Knox-Doyle, Sports Editor

Apr 28, 2025

Bryce Hickman earned Community’s third-ever State Journalism title. The senior took first in Review Writing after failing to qualify in the event the year before.

Lyra Townsend

Senior Bryce Hickman made history at the IHSA State Journalism Finals on April 25, becoming just the second Ironman to win a Journalism state championship.

Hickman earned first place in Review Writing at the event, held at Heartland Community College, following in the footsteps of 2018 graduate Katie Fata, who captured two titles her senior year.

Hickman also medaled in Feature Writing, finishing sixth in a competitive field of top student journalists from across Illinois.

His winning review, a critique of a stand-up comedy act, came despite Hickman’s personal disinterest in the genre.

Hickman was one of eight Inkspot staff members to compete at the State Finals, joined by Beatrix Alvarez, Arwen Georgas, Carter Hull, Brady Phelps and the team of Bella Green, Leon Castaneda and Audra Wolf.

Stand-up, Hickman said, “isn’t funny.”

After placing third at Sectionals and facing a topic he found unappealing, Hickman’s odds at taking a home a state title seemed slim.

But when the results were announced, Hickman’s name topped the list—and he had the last laugh.

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