Students Earn National Recognition in DePaul’s Blue Book: Best American High School Writing 2026

Marian High School is celebrating a remarkable achievement as multiple students have been recognized in DePaul’s Blue Book: Best American High School Writing 2026, a prestigious national publication honoring outstanding student journalism, creative writing and visual art.

Less than 3% of submissions from across the country were named finalists and Marian students made a strong showing in this elite group.

Finalists include:

• Erin Cramer — Proposed Budget Cuts Raise Significant Concerns for UNL Students

• Alena Kehm — NIL Creates Positive, Negative Change

• Alena Kehm — Facing Federal Failings, Omaha Takes Action Against Hunger

• Delaney Jackson — State Elections Provide Hope for the Future

• Anna Kubat — Harsh Waters Grow New Life in Jamaica

• Alaina Kroll — Elon Musk Shouldn’t Be a Trillionaire

• Alena Kehm — "60 Minutes" Story Faces Editorial Scrutiny

• Delaney Jackson — The Sexualization of Child Stars

• Delaney Shea — America the Beautiful (poem, Burn Fall 2025)

• Catherine Buescher — Little Orange Box (poem, Burn Spring 2025)

• Lilly Italia — Earth is Rotting but Thank God My Straw Isn’t Paper (poem, Burn Spring 2025)

Even more impressive, several Marian students were named winners which is an honor awarded to fewer than 1% of entries nationwide. These exceptional works will be published in the 2026 edition of the anthology:

• Alaina Kroll — Declaration of Genocidal Acts Leads to First Stages of Ceasefire in Gaza

• Alena Kehm — Nebraska ICE Facility Brings More Questions Than Answers

• Maeve Wharton — Humanitarian Crisis Devastates Sudan

• Syra Qureshi — When Art Meets Politics: Should Music Stay Neutral?

• Lilly Italia — Branch (art, Burn Fall 2025)

• Andrea Nyamedi — I Killed You (art, Burn Spring 2025)

This recognition highlights the strength of Marian’s student voices across multiple disciplines from investigative journalism and opinion writing, to poetry and visual art. Their work reflects thoughtful engagement with complex global and cultural issues, as well as a commitment to creativity and truth.

Marian’s success in this national competition underscores the impact of its academic and extracurricular programs, particularly student publications like Burn magazine, which continue to cultivate and showcase emerging talent.

As these students prepare to see their work published on a national stage, the Marian community celebrates not only their achievements, but also the powerful perspectives they bring to the broader conversation.