Key West High Students Earn Statewide Media Honors, Boost Community Pride
Ten students from Key West High School’s Conch 5 studios earned All Florida recognition at the Florida Scholastic Press Association Fall States competition, placing them among the top one percent of student media creators in the state. The awards underline the program’s recent national successes, and they highlight local benefits for student opportunity, school visibility, and community wellbeing.
On November 14, 2025, Key West High School’s Conch 5 studios added a new chapter to an already notable season, as ten students received All Florida recognition at the Florida Scholastic Press Association Fall States competition. The distinction puts those students among the top one percent of more than 2,500 entries submitted statewide this fall and follows the program’s recent trip to New York City where students earned three All American selections and a national finalist honor.
The statewide contest has been hosted by the University of Florida since 1948, and it recognizes technical skill and storytelling in student media. All Florida titles are reserved for the most exceptional work, and this year’s results included individual and team achievements across photography, video, film, and digital illustration disciplines.
All Florida winners from Key West High were Alena Tralenko and Sarah O'Brien for Hype Video, Alena Tralenko for Student Life Photo, Rocky Gonet, Max Blinckmann and Hugo Blinckmann for Hype Video, Filip Hrabec, Rylan Owens, Bryden Parsons and Ronnie Tabag for Short Film Action, and Jazlyn Martin for Deadline Digital Illustration. Several students earned "Excellent" recognition including Rylan Owens and Sabastain Dubyk for Broadcast News Package, Gabriella Rodriguez Gaitan for Deadline Digital Illustration, Dieunyssa Azard for Deadline Digital Illustration, Alena Tralenko for Student Life Photo, Alena Tralenko for Deadline Photo Challenge, and Jazlyn Martin for Literary Magazine Spread. Honorable mentions included Sarah O'Brien for Broadcast Show Opening and Alena Tralenko for Musician Portrait Photo.
The program plans to share the work widely with the school community. "All of our winning productions will be featured on the morning announcements and @KWHSConch5studios on YouTube!" This visibility will allow classmates, families and local residents to view the students’ work and to celebrate the achievements.
Beyond accolades, the results carry tangible local implications. Recognition at this level raises the profile of Monroe County public schools and creates pathways for students interested in media, journalism and creative careers. For many adolescents the experience of producing and publishing work builds confidence, reduces social isolation and supports mental health by fostering meaningful creative engagement. Such programs also play a role in educational equity, offering practical skills and college portfolio material to students who may lack access to similar opportunities elsewhere.
The awards underscore the value of sustained investment in extracurricular and arts programs that serve as community health assets. As schools and policymakers in Monroe County weigh budget and curriculum decisions, the success of Conch 5 studios offers a concrete example of how student media can advance academic achievement, career preparation and community cohesion. The work will be publicly showcased in the coming weeks, giving residents a chance to see how local students are telling stories that matter.
