Russellville High School’s Cyclone Media program placed as a finalist in the collegiate category at the Arkansas Society of Professional Journalists Diamond Awards Banquet on Saturday, July 26th. 2025 seniors Mary Stratton, Izzy Ohnmacht, Ava Brock, Madison Estep and Noah Carter as well as instructor Drew Brent were all nominated for one of the organization’s top prizes.
Cyclone Media placed in the top three in the collegiate arts and entertainment category for their live coverage of the Russellville Christmas Parade, falling just behind UATV at the University of Arkansas and tying with LSU.
Arkansas SPJ President Wendy Jordan said of the program:
"We are beyond impressed at what we are seeing at Russellville High School. Drew Brent has done an amazing job going above and beyond to ensure his students are exposed to the reality of the journalism industry, which is what earned him the 2024 Diamond Educator of the Year recognition. His dedication has continued as he entered some of Cyclone Broadcasting's work into the Student Media division of the 2025 Diamond Awards. This division is primarily viewed as the college media division and I am not aware of any other high school who has entered any categories in this division. Not only did Cyclone Broadcasting enter the competition, they were named a finalist! This group competed against schools such as the University of Arkansas, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Louisiana State University. Their recognition as a finalist in this competition is a testament to the quality these students are producing. I am confident that Russellville High School is providing a top-tier journalism program that is preparing students for both college and the real world."