Senior Student Journalist’s Story Named on ‘Best of’ List 

Student journalist Owen Hackford ’26 has earned national recognition for his reporting, receiving the prestigious "Best of SNO" award from the Student News Organization (SNO).

Owen was honored for his feature story, "Escaping the Digital World: How Roman McNichols Found a Passion in the Woodshop," which explores his classmate’s journey of trading screen time for craftsmanship.

Read an excerpt of the award-winning piece: 

Wood shavings fly in every direction as senior Roman McNichols steadies a smooth maple block against the spinning lathe. The machine vibrates, emitting a loud hum, but McNichols’s grip on the block remains steady. Soon, a thin sliver of wood peels away from the block and falls to the ground. McNichols leans in closer, watching a multitude of shapes emerge from the once square block. The room smells of fresh wood shavings and varnish. He pauses, runs his hands along the surface, then turns the block and begins all over again.

The "Best of SNO" award is a significant milestone in the world of student journalism, representing the top tier of high school reporting nationwide. Out of 12,500 stories submitted to the organization this year, only 1,500—roughly 12 percent—have been selected for this distinction.

“A lot of students/people can relate to finding purpose by stepping away from screens and working with their hands,” says Hackford. “Roman wasn't looking for any attention when he started woodworking; he simply found something he genuinely loved, and for me, being able to share stories like these with other people is one of the major reasons I enjoy journalism.”

Hackford’s winning piece is currently featured on the Best of SNO website, showcasing the best student-led journalism in the nation.