Quaker Quill Tribute, “Always Learning,” Receives National Recognition

In the weeks following the publication of “Always Learning,” The Quaker Quill’s tribute to Assistant Principal for Academics Christine Koniezhny following her passing, the piece received extraordinary national recognition. The honors acknowledged the student journalists whose thoughtful and compassionate reporting brought the project to life.

Produced collaboratively by students in the Upper School journalism class under the guidance of faculty advisors Mary Wiltenburg and Amber Wagner Gaines, the multimedia project honored Ms. Koniezhny’s life and legacy through reporting, photography, artwork, video, and personal reflections from the Friends community. Over the course of four months, students documented Ms. Koniezhny’s journey and the community’s response with care and sensitivity.

The article went on to receive the 2026 Student Journalist Impact Award from the Journalism Education Association (JEA), one of the highest honors in scholastic journalism. The award recognizes student journalism that creates a meaningful impact within a school or broader community. Senior Micah K. ’26 was featured on the front page of the JEA website as part of the award announcement.

Shortly after publication, “Always Learning” also earned a Best of SNO award from the organization that hosts The Quaker Quill website and more than 3,000 other high school and college news sites nationwide. Of roughly 12,000 stories submitted for consideration this year, only about 13% received the distinction. Friends’ article was also the only story highlighted by SNO on its Facebook page.

The project’s impact extended when the editor at The Baltimore Banner shared that the Quill article inspired the Banner to publish an obituary honoring Ms. Koniezhny. The piece featured reflections from her longtime partner, Danny, and a photograph by Ruben S. ’27.

“Always Learning” was created by more than 38 students who reported, interviewed, wrote, edited, photographed, filmed, illustrated, and designed the final project. Many members of the Friends community contributed memories, reflections, and photographs. The article later appeared in the first printed edition of The Quaker Quill since the pandemic.

The recognition received reflects not only the quality of the work but also the empathy and thoughtfulness students brought to telling a story that mattered deeply to the Friends community. The students demonstrated the power of journalism to preserve memories and help people navigate grief together.

Friends School congratulates Levi G. '27, Charlotte J. '26, Micah K. '26, Mary Wiltenburg, Amber Wagner Gaines, and all who contributed to this meaningful and widely celebrated project.