Tiffany Hutcheson — a senior and editor in chief of The Prospector yearbook at Apache Junction High School — has been recognized as Arizona’s Journalist of the Year by the Arizona Interscholastic Press Association.

The prestigious award was presented to Hutcheson by Deanne Hutchison, a representative from AIPA, during a special ceremony held recently at AJHS, according to a release.

Principal Lisa Ginn praised her accomplishment, stating, “We’re incredibly proud of Tiffany and her amazing achievement as Arizona’s Journalist of the Year. This recognition highlights her talent, dedication and leadership in journalism.”

As the recipient of this award, Hutcheson will receive a scholarship from AIPA and will be honored at the National High School Journalism Convention in Kansas City. Additionally, she will have the opportunity to enter the national Journalist of the Year contest organized by the Journalism Education Association.

Hutcheson won JEA’s Aspiring Young Journalist Award in 2020, being recognized as the country’s top middle-school journalist. She is the only student to have won the Aspiring Young Journalist Award and then proceeded to win their state’s JOY award.

Jason Davis, Apache Junction High School/Cactus Canyon Junior High Yearbook Advisor, stated, “Tiffany has shown incredible dedication to journalism and impressive talent throughout her time at AJHS and we could not be more proud. She sets a great example for our students, showcasing the creativity, passion and excellence we aim to nurture in everyone.”

Go to ajusd.org.