Maryland’s 2025 Journalist of the Year and the Legacy of The Pitch at Walter Johnson High School

Seyun Park, a senior at Walter Johnson High School, has been named the 2025 Maryland Journalist of the Year by the Maryland-DC Scholastic Press Association. This honor marks the culmination of his dedication and leadership as editor-in-chief of The Pitch, the school’s award-winning student newspaper. The recognition is not just a personal accomplishment for Park, but also highlights the thriving culture of journalism at Walter Johnson, guided by teacher and advisor Wendy Borrelli.

For Park, The Pitch has been more than just a newspaper — it has been a space for growth, collaboration and creative exploration. "The Pitch really means a lot to me," Park said, reflecting on his four years with the publication. "I’ve had the chance to grow into my role, and the people I’ve worked with and met here are the best part of it. It’s the sense of collaboration that truly makes this experience special."

Park’s love for journalism began at a young age. He recalls running a class newspaper in fourth grade, which ignited his passion for sharing stories that would resonate with others. "I found joy in sharing what I thought was interesting with my peers, and that sparked my interest in journalism," he explained.

As editor-in-chief of The Pitch, Park’s leadership has been instrumental in transforming the newspaper’s reach, particularly with its digital content. His work to revamp the newspaper’s website was a proud achievement. "I’m really passionate about finding new ways to tell stories, whether through print, online content or social media," Park said. "And seeing the website recognized for the first time was one of my proudest moments."

Park is quick to credit part of The Pitch’s success to its faculty advisor, Wendy Borrelli. Borrelli has been advising The Pitch for over a decade, and in that time, she has fostered an environment where students don’t just learn how to write — they learn how to lead, collaborate and use their voices to impact their community. "What makes The Pitch so unique is Ms. Borrelli," said Riley Berkowitz, a senior and first-year print news editor at The Pitch. "She sets the tone of working really hard but also respecting each other. So, I think that helps us work together really well."

For Borrelli, the greatest reward is not the awards or recognition, but the opportunity to give students a platform where they can develop their voices. "I’m most proud of the growth of the program, but more than that, I’m proud that we’ve created an environment where students feel empowered to express themselves and their ideas," she said. "What students do in The Pitch isn’t just for them — it’s for the whole school and community. That’s what makes this experience so meaningful."

While Borrelli’s leadership sets the foundation, it is the students of The Pitch who bring it to life. Elli Karistinou, a senior and print managing editor, praises Park for his unwavering commitment and leadership. "Seyun has always been determined to improve the paper every single year," Karistinou said. "His hard work and dedication have really transformed The Pitch into what it is today." Park is preparing to graduate and his impact on the publication will be felt for years to come. "Seyun’s leadership has inspired all of us to do our best and strive for excellence," Karistinou added. "It’s going to be hard to imagine The Pitch without him next year."

Park’s dedication to teamwork and collaboration has also left a lasting impression on first-year editor Berkowitz. "Seyun’s serious about his job, but he also brings a lighthearted approach," Berkowitz said. "He’s able to command the room while also making everyone feel comfortable. He’s incredibly talented and always willing to share his knowledge, which makes him the perfect person to lead The Pitch."

While Park’s tenure as editor-in-chief is coming to an end, his future in journalism is just beginning. "I’ll definitely be involved in my college newspaper, and I plan to minor in journalism," he said. "While I’m also planning to go to law school, the skills I’ve learned in journalism — critical thinking, storytelling and collaboration — will serve me well no matter where I go."

As for The Pitch, Borrelli is optimistic about its continued success. "We’re constantly evolving to keep up with the times, especially in an era of multimedia journalism," she said. "But no matter how the field changes, our core values remain the same: providing students with the opportunity to share their voices and work together to create something meaningful."

For Park, the impact of The Pitch has been about more than just producing a newspaper — it’s been about the people he’s worked with and the lessons he’s learned along the way. "What I’m most proud of is the team we’ve built here," he said. "Working with others to create something bigger than ourselves is what I’ll remember most about my time with The Pitch."

Explore Seyun Park’s journalism journey by viewing his portfolio, featuring award-winning stories, multimedia projects, and highlights from his time leading The Pitch at Walter Johnson High School.