Student 'Journalist of the Year' tackles sexual harassment at school

As a child, Isabelle Robles went in search of her "one thing."

Robles, 17, now a senior at West High, said it seemed like everyone had their niche — the one area where they excelled. She tried sports but said she preferred the snacks to actually competing. Then, there was dance class, where the costumes made the strongest impression. But there was one thing she did enjoy: Watching CBS' "60 Minutes" with her parents.

"I remember that I thought Lesley Stahl was the coolest woman ever, and that, if I could just get to ask people questions, that would be really cool," Robles said.

Fast forward to this year, when the Iowa High School Press Association named Robles the statewide Journalist of the Year based on her newsroom leadership and journalistic skills.

During her last year of junior high, a presentation by West High's student news publication, West Side Story, rekindled her childhood interest in journalism and prompted her to take an introductory class. The following year, she joined West Side Story's staff and went on to become a reporter and copy editor and to fill her current role, digital editor in chief. Her journalism work also extended to broadcast and sports coverage.

For her third news story, Robles took on the daunting topic of sexual harassment at school. She said that, although her editors initially assigned the story as a short news brief, she and a fellow reporter conducted a survey that led to an "overwhelming number" of responses from students who experienced catcalling and unwanted attention. This, combined with concerns about the school's response to harassment incidents, elevated the story to the front page.

Robles said "the journalist in me that was beginning to form" jumped at the opportunity to take a more in-depth approach. The story's publication prompted former principal Jerry Arganbright to email staff about vigilance when it comes to reports of harassment, she said.

Robles said the experience helped her realize her school had room for improvement and illustrated the importance of journalism. She also learned the value of telling peoples' stories.

“I try to tell stories that I think no one else knows about," she said.

The press association's judges said they selected Robles as Journalist of the Year based on her "firm grasp on what is needed to do journalism" as well as her ability to go in depth and connect with an audience through "meaningful news," according to a news release from the association.

Robles will now compete among students nationwide by submitting her portfolio to the Journalism Education Association, which announces a winner in April.

Sara Whittaker, West Side Story's adviser, said Robles is a student teachers can trust with a serious story subject, like sexual harassment. She said Robles is passionate about getting the story right, telling every view point and finding the best way to reach her audience.

Whittaker said she knew shortly after meeting Robles that she would make a mark on West Side Story. She said Robles strikes the right balance between self analysis and confidence, and she lights up faces with her kindness.

“You trust her. I think that’s why she’s so successful as a journalist," Whittaker said.

Trust played a role in a profile story Robles tackled earlier this year about a student athlete whose father overcame cancer while she was a child. The story is among Robles' favorite projects, she said, in part because she and the student share similar experiences. Both are passionate about basketball, and both have been touched by cancer.

Robles said her mother, also her biggest roll model, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. Although she is recovering, the experience had a major impact on her family.

This cast West High's annual Dance Marathon charity in a new light for Robles. The charity raises money for families affected by pediatric cancer, and Robles said she felt she owed it to her mom to investigate and write about the activity.

Drawing on her own experiences, she interviewed her peer, Maddie Huinker, and took extra time perfecting the story. In the end, the Huinker and her family liked the final product, Robles said, which reassured her that she'd handled it well.

”It was a testament that we understood each other," she said.

Stacia McGrath, Robles' mom, said her daughter has always taken an interest in peoples' stories. She began talking about her dream of becoming a reporter as a child, and McGrath said she offered her encouragement.

As Robles grew, so did her intellectual curiosity, her ability to discern information and her strength at seeing a situation from all angles, McGrath said.

She said she hopes Robles continues doing what she loves and finds happiness as she pursues a journalism major at the University of Missouri. She said she was proud of the work Robles put into her portfolio leading up to the Journalist of the Year recognition.

"I was just so proud of her and excited about the opportunities," McGrath said.

Reach Holly Hines at hhines2@press-citizen.com or at 319-887-5414 and follow her on Twitter: @HollyJHines.