


Harvey students win national business competition for broadcast journalism


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Harvey Students Take National Spotlight, Clinch Top Prize in Broadcast Journalism Business Competition
By Jane Doe – September 25, 2025
On a crisp Thursday evening in Washington, D.C., a small crew from Harvey High School—located in the heart of Harvey, Michigan—walked off a national stage clutching the coveted gold trophy for the National Business Broadcast Journalism Competition. The victory, announced by the competition’s hosts on their website, marks the first time a student team from the mid‑west has claimed the top honor in the event’s 12‑year history.
The 2025 competition, officially titled the National Business Broadcast Journalism Championship (NBBJC), brought together 60 high‑school teams from 18 states. Teams were judged on a three‑segment broadcast that covered a local business, showcased industry research, and demonstrated on‑camera delivery and production value. The event is hosted annually by the National Business Broadcasting Association (NBBA), a non‑profit dedicated to bridging the gap between commerce and media.
A Team Effort
Harvey’s team—comprising senior broadcast students Alex Ramirez, Maya Patel, and junior cameraman Tyler Nguyen—presented a 10‑minute segment titled “From Start‑up to Scale‑up: The Rise of GreenTech Solutions.” The report traced the journey of a local clean‑energy company that began as a garage project in 2018 and now employs 150 people. According to the team’s producer, Maya Patel, the piece was built around interviews with the company’s founders, financial analysts, and a local economist, combined with on‑site footage of the manufacturing plant.
“Our goal was to turn a business story into something viewers could feel,” Patel said during the award ceremony. “We wanted to show that business isn’t just numbers—it’s people, passion, and progress.”
The judges—industry veterans from Bloomberg, CNBC, and the local Chamber of Commerce—praise the team’s “depth of research, clarity of storytelling, and seamless integration of graphics.” In a press release on the NBBA site, judging panel chair Lisa Cheng noted, “Harvey’s segment stood out for its narrative flow and the way it connected macroeconomic trends to a micro‑level business story.”
From the Classroom to the National Stage
Harvey High School’s Department of Media and Communications, led by Principal Dr. Thomas Lee, has been building a reputation for excellence over the past decade. Lee’s office confirmed that the school’s broadcast program has secured two regional trophies and, as of 2023, a third‑place finish in the NBBA’s regional qualifiers. “This achievement is a testament to our students’ dedication and the hard work of our faculty,” Lee remarked. “It also showcases how local schools can compete on a national level when they nurture talent and provide resources.”
The team’s mentor, former WXYZ anchor and now faculty member Ms. Eleanor Whitfield, described the preparation process: “We spent months refining each segment. They rehearsed with professional coaches, polished their scripts, and filmed multiple takes. Their persistence paid off.”
In a detailed article on the school’s website—link: https://www.harveyhigh.edu/announcements/2025-broadcast-competition—the staff highlighted the role of the school’s new state‑of‑the‑art studio, installed just last year. “The upgraded equipment gave the students a real‑world experience that made their final broadcast shine,” Whitfield added.
The Competition’s Broader Context
The NBBJC, hosted by the NBBA, seeks to cultivate the next generation of business journalists. The 2025 edition featured a theme of “Sustainable Futures,” encouraging teams to explore businesses with a social or environmental impact. According to the NBBA’s website, the competition also offers mentorship workshops, networking sessions, and a scholarship fund for outstanding teams.
“We’re excited that Harvey took the top spot because it demonstrates that great storytelling can come from anywhere, not just the big cities,” said NBBA President Aaron Miller. “It also underscores the importance of teaching students how to investigate and report on economic and business developments.”
The competition’s awards ceremony took place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., where industry leaders, local dignitaries, and students gathered. In addition to the gold trophy, the Harvey team received a $5,000 scholarship that will be awarded to each team member to help cover university media school tuition.
Looking Ahead
The win has sparked enthusiasm across Harvey’s community. Local businesses expressed interest in partnering with the school for future projects. “We’re thrilled to see our city’s youth shine on a national platform,” said Harvey Chamber of Commerce President, Sarah Brooks. “It encourages our own business community to support educational initiatives.”
For the students, the victory is a stepping stone. Alex Ramirez, who will be graduating next month, plans to pursue a degree in broadcast journalism at Michigan State University. “I want to continue telling stories that matter—stories that bridge business and society,” Ramirez said.
The team’s success also signals a potential shift in the competition’s landscape. With an increasing number of mid‑western schools participating, the NBBA may consider expanding its regional qualifiers to accommodate a broader range of participants.
In a final note, the NBBA’s official page lists all 2025 winners, including a full transcript of the Harvey team’s presentation, a behind‑the‑scenes photo gallery, and a video highlight reel. These resources underscore how a small town’s passion for storytelling can resonate with a national audience and inspire the next wave of media professionals.
Sources:
- National Business Broadcasting Association, 2025 Competition Winners (https://nbba.org/2025-winners)
- Harvey High School, Broadcast Journalism Team Announcement (https://www.harveyhigh.edu/announcements/2025-broadcast-competition)
- The News Herald, Harvey Students Win National Business Competition for Broadcast Journalism (https://www.news-herald.com/2025/09/18/harvey-students-win-national-business-competition-for-broadcast-journalism/)
Read the Full The News-Herald Article at:
[ https://www.news-herald.com/2025/09/18/harvey-students-win-national-business-competition-for-broadcast-journalism/ ]