About Me
Write Like You Mean It.
My name is Brady Ehrhart, and I am a senior at Memphis University School in Memphis, TN. In the spring of 2025, I was named editor-in-chief of Memphis University School's student newspaper, The Owl's Hoot.
Our paper had gone through nearly a decade of stagnation, reflected in both readership and editorial presence. At my appointment, I had no journalistic training.
I had never edited an article, and I didn't even know what a lede was. Yet, I fell in love with the storytelling and widespread impact journalism creates, and I dove into reinvigorating this paper headfirst.
Ten months after the publishing of my first edition, our paper has been recognized as the best overall student newspaper in Tennessee.
Subsequently, I was named the H.L. Hall Outstanding Student Journalist of the Year by the Tennessee High School Press Association (THSPA).
I am thrilled to present this portfolio for the JEA Journalist of the Year Competition, and share my story – from my humble beginnings, to a remarkable concluding chapter of my time reporting at MUS.
About my publication:
The Owl's Hoot was founded in 1955 at Memphis University School in Memphis, Tenn. We have historically been a club organization, without any set curriculum or classes to supplement our work. We print on an 8-page fold and this year established our first ever website, www.theowlshoot.org. Our staff is at roughly 25* contributing writers, editors, photographers and artists.
* Given our club format, involvement is difficult to manage. Students pop in and out, and we are constantly adding new students to our staff!
Experience
Workshops + Conventions
• Editor-in-Chief (2025-2026)
• Associate Editor (2024-2025)
• Writer (2022-2024)
• Columbia Scholastic Press Association Summer Journalism Workshop (2025)
• Tennessee High School Press Association Fall Workshop (2025)
Awards
This year, my staff gained membership to NSPA and CSPA, and rejoined the Tennessee High School Press Association after an absence since 2024.
As a staff, we have garnered a total of 14 awards this year. From 2020-2025, we only received recognition for 4 awards across all organizations.
Individual:
First Place, Best News Story (THSPA) (12): “A Face That Defined Generations: Barry Ray’s Portrait Unveiled”
First Place, Best Sports Story (THSPA) (12): “Bear Tracks: Senior Taylor Commits to Belmont University to Pursue D1 Track”
First Place, Best News/Feature Photograph (THSPA) (12): “A Look Back on the Memphis 'No Kings' Protest”
First Place, Best Sports Story (THSPA) (12): “Bear Tracks: Senior Taylor Commits to Belmont University to Pursue D1 Track”
First Place, Best Photo Essay (THSPA) (12): “Cultures Showcased at International Fair”
Best of SNO (12): “Student Bands and A Capella Perform at Friday Chapel”
Second Place, Best Sports Photograph (THSPA) (12): “Bear Tracks: Senior Taylor Commits to Belmont University to Pursue D1 Track”
Third Place, Best Photo Essay (THSPA) (12): “Student Bands and A Capella Perform at Friday Chapel”
Norman S. Thompson Journalism Fellowship Endowment (12) - Awarded fully funded scholarship to research and study Editorial Leadership at Columbia University w/ CSPA.
Staff:
First Place, Best Overall Newspaper/Newsmagazine (2026): “The Owl’s Hoot”
First Place, Best Front Page Design (2026): “The Owl’s Hoot”
First Place, Best Inside Page Design (2026): "The Owl's Hoot"
Members of my staff and I pose for a photo with our March edition, celebrating our awards recognition by the Tennessee High School Press Association. (Photo Courtesy of MUS Communications)
My adviser, Mrs. Ginny McCarley, and I pose for a photo after she and THSPA director Jimmy McCollum surprised me with a video presentation to congratulate me on my naming as H.L. Hall Outstanding Student Journalist of the Year. I don't think I stopped smiling for the whole day. (Photo Courtesy of MUS Communications)
