The Student Press Law Center and the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project are proud to honor Illinois high school journalist Isabelle Leofanti with the 2025 Student Freedom of Information Award.

Leofanti, a reporter for Metea Media at Metea Valley High School, investigated the deteriorating conditions of the school’s synthetic turf field, using Illinois Freedom of Information Act requests to shed light on safety issues and concerns for student-athletes.

When a classmate and member of the school’s football team reported a knee injury, Leofanti was familiar with the uneven, hardened turf that the athlete alleged was the culprit. A student-athlete herself — a soccer player — she knew she needed to bring attention to the issue. She interviewed the athletic director, coaches and district officials — but when administrators failed to produce key information, she became the first student in the school’s history to file a public records request with the school district.

The records she obtained included internal emails between district officials and the athletic director, as well as test data about the hardness of the field. Leofanti discovered that the field exceeded the typical lifespan for artificial turf and delved into discrepancies between what tests showed and what was considered “safe” for student-athletes.

“Isabelle showed remarkable curiosity, initiative and tenacity in holding her school accountable,” said Gary Green, executive director of the Student Press Law Center. “She asked tough questions, persisted when she didn’t get answers. Her story uncovered hidden truths and provided an invaluable service to the community.”

The honor was announced Nov. 15 at the Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

“Receiving this award means so much to me, as it recognizes the impact student journalism can have on the greater public,” Leofanti said. “In bringing attention to the hazardous field conditions and their impact on the student-athletes’ safety, access to public records allowed me to exercise my rights as a student journalist and highlight a relevant issue to the school community.”

Leofanti and Metea Media will split a $1,000 prize, sponsored by the Brechner FOI Project at the University of Florida.

“Public record laws are powerful tools to help level the playing field in society,” said David Cuillier, director of the Brechner FOI Project. “I hope other students are inspired by Isabelle to expose secrets in their schools that those in charge would like to keep hidden. There is no better way to teach civics than through exercising your right to know.”

About the Award

The Student Freedom of Information Award recognizes a student journalist or team of journalists for outstanding and tenacious use of public records in reporting that promotes transparency and brings important issues to light in their school or community. SPLC presents the honor in partnership with the Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida, which provides a $1,000 prize to the high school winner.

This year’s winner was selected from a competitive group of nominations by an advisory committee of experts on public records and reporting, including Matt Drange, investigative reporter and journalism instructor at Laney College; Arelis Hernandez, Washington Post national reporter; and Nate Jones, Washington Post FOIA director.

Posted: November 18, 2025
Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Brechner Award, Brechner Freedom of Information Project, Government Transparency