Under the soft glow of auditorium lights and the echo of warm applause, the WPLD Awards Banquet unfolded as more than just an end-of-year ceremony—it was a heartfelt celebration of family, legacy, and the boundless future of student journalism at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School.
Guests were ushered in through the gym foyer as music softly played and a sense of anticipation filled the room. Decorated with thoughtful touches and buzzing with excited energy, the space transformed into a theater of memories, milestones, and meaningful farewells.
Longtime adviser, Mrs. Wendy Turner, opened the evening with a tribute to the dedication and hard work of the staff. She set the tone by inducting new members into Quill and Scroll, the prestigious international honor society for high school journalists.
“The Quill and Scroll International Honor Society is an organization that has been around for over 100 years,” she said. “Students who earn this honor are joining the likes of famous writers like Kurt Vonnegut and beloved public figures like Mr. Fred Rogers.”
Inductees for this year are Lilli Robey and Ben Burch. Previously inducted senior members Sia Vaish and Nora Morgan received their honor cords.
Next, Mrs. Turner’s tradition of “passing the torch” enabled graduating editors to hand over their roles to their successors. With each candle lit and blown out, roles and responsibilities were symbolically handed over to the next generation. It wasn’t just tradition—it was a visual metaphor for trust, continuity, and growth.
PLD Lamplighter Editor-in-Chief, Sia Vaish, passed the symbolic candle of editorial leadership to incoming Editors-in-Chief Ahaan Thomas and Maitri Patel.
“It’s both a figurative gesture and a literal passing of a candle,” Mrs. Turner said. “It’s always bittersweet when the leaving editors blow out their candles, but it signifies the beginning of new leadership and fresh perspectives. I think it’s a perfect ceremony to end the year.”
Vaish had a very successful year as EIC, earning three recognitions for her work in Best of School Newspapers Online, a national competition for high school students across the United States.
The program continued with a series of heartfelt speeches, video recaps, and tributes that encapsulated a year in the life of WPLD. From the vibrant Student Television Network competition in Tampa recap to the powerful moments shared in WPLD en Español and the “Will on the Mic” recurring segment, each recap video served as a reminder of the creativity and impact of this team.
“Producing WPLD en Español has been a joyful way to celebrate our diverse voices. It’s helped us connect more deeply as a school community, bringing people together through shared stories and pride in who we are,” senior producer Adelyn Carcamo said.
Senior recognition took center stage as cords and awards were distributed, each symbolizing hours of dedication, storytelling, and community engagement. Special honors such as the Enoch Grehan award, the STN MVP, and the memorial scholarships given in the names of former PLD Lamplighter staff members Hannah Landers and Jesse Higginbotham added weight to the evening, reminding everyone of the legacy left behind by those who came before.
When Mrs. Turner gave the annual scholarships, she shared some memories of the students being remembered.
“One of the hardest things about teaching for a long time is the students we lose over the years. Both Jesse and Hannah passed away much too soon, and as long as I am the adviser at Dunbar, they will be remembered.”
This year’s recipient of the Hannah Landers Memorial Scholarship is Lilli Robey. The recipient of the Jesse Higginbotham Memorial Award is Amelia Polashek.
Two graduating seniors received the prestigious Seal of the Arts for their body of work. WPLD en Español producer, Roselin Garcia Medrano, was awarded for her portfolio of videos showcasing Lexington’s Latino communities. Producer Grider Burch was awarded for her work in both graphic design and production.
Incoming WPLD Editors-in-Chief Isabelle Cramer, Yullianne Lee, Ben Burch, and Alayna Wallace delivered a closing speech that tied the evening together with emotion and vision. They spoke of the values instilled by their mentors as well as their hopes for the program’s future under their leadership.
“I hope to tell the stories that need to be shared and teach the next generation of Dunbar students how to do the same,” Burch said.
The night concluded with a surprise from senior Hassan Kahloon and a warm goodnight from the new editorial team. As the audience was invited to enjoy Moe’s in the foyer, laughter and storytelling lingered in the air—proof that PLD Lamplighter and WPLD are, and always have been, a family.
“When students are in a program together for four years, it creates a really special bond,” Mrs. Turner said. “Our strength is our diversity and the way that these students, who probably wouldn’t have ever connected otherwise, have come together to become dear friends.”
From lighting candles to sharing tears and toasts, the end-of-year banquet was not simply a ceremony. It was a reunion, a sendoff, and a promise—that no matter where life leads, this team will always have a home in each other.
There is more to this program than flashy cameras, bright lights, and a morning show,” Lee said. “It is a family.”
