For the third year in a row, Alyssa Navares Myers, a 2009 University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa journalism program graduate in the College of Social Sciences, has helped Sacred Hearts Academy students win the state’s top high school journalism program award.
Myers and her students were recognized on April 17, at the awards luncheon held at UH Mānoa’s Campus Center Ballroom. The program co-sponsors (Hawaiʻi Publishers Association, Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi and Honolulu Star-Advertiser) recognized 90 students and advisers from the 15 participating public and private high schools.
Myers, who has taught journalism at Sacred Hearts for 10 years, is one of several public and private school news program advisers who have earned degrees from UH Mānoa. Under her guidance, her students have won the Hawaiʻi High School Journalism Awards Best in State recognition in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The Best in State winner is determined by totaling each school’s top three scores in the writing division, and their top score in the photo, online and design divisions.
Myers is a Kamehameha Schools Kapālama 2005 alumna, where she was an editor of her student newspaper before matriculating to UH Mānoa. She was a features editor and managing editor for Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi, and her work there helped her earn the 2006 Carol Burnett Award for Ethics and Excellence in Journalism. Myers’ students also have worked for Ka Leo after graduation and others now work in the media industry professionally, including one who is a social media editor for the NFL. A current student, Keira Wheeler, will be doing an internship this summer with Vogue magazine.
“My time at UH Mānoa, especially as the features and managing editor at Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi, was foundational in shaping not just my journalism skills but also my values as a mentor,” Myers said. “Now, advising Ka Leo at Sacred Hearts Academy feels serendipitous; it’s like I’ve come full circle. Being able to guide young journalists and see them thrive, just as I was once encouraged to, is really rewarding. I’m proud to carry forward a legacy of meaningful storytelling and to share a deep love for news media with the next generation.”
More news program advisers with degrees from UH Mānoa:
- Ray Anne Galzote, Waipahu High
- Bonnie Fujii, Farrington High
- Robin Kitsu, Nānākuli High
- Jo Ann Mastin, Campbell High
- Daniella Reyes, Mililani High
- Cindy Reves, McKinley High
- Eric Stinton, Le Jardin Academy
