ALTON — Alton High School sophomore Baylee Dunse has been selected as the Art Fahrner–Edward Jones Remarkable Redbird of the Month, recognized for her dedication to student journalism and her growing influence on the school’s award-winning Tatler yearbook staff.
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Baylee is one of more than 30 students contributing to the upcoming 2025–2026 Tatler. She recently earned notable recognition for a feature story she wrote on the Alton High girls’ tennis team — a piece assigned by student copy editor Lauren Conwell and shaped with guidance from faculty moderator Ms. Bridget Heck. Her work received an award at the Southern Illinois School Press Association (SISPA) competition, where judges praised her storytelling and reporting skills.
The SISPA conference brought together students from 13 Southern Illinois schools and also challenged participants with an on-the-spot writing event. Writers were given a fictional scenario and asked to produce a yearbook-style piece under strict time constraints. Baylee said the fast-paced environment was stressful but ultimately rewarding, giving her valuable insight into writing on deadline and collaborating in a professional newsroom-style setting. SISPA contests also included theme development, overall writing, advertising, and additional publication categories.
Outside of journalism, Baylee enjoys creative hobbies such as painting and scrapbooking. She is also deeply interested in the legal field and hopes to become a criminal justice attorney or paralegal. Influenced by crime and legal dramas like Law & Order, she says she is drawn to a career path where she can help others and make a meaningful impact.
With her developing writing talents, strong work ethic, and commitment to growth, Baylee Dunse continues to exemplify what it means to be a Remarkable Redbird.
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