Neha Madhira is 17 years old and a senior at Prosper High School in Texas. She was accidentally moved into journalism two years ago, and started competing in UIL Academic competitions because of the passion her former adviser, Lori Oglesbee, showed for writing. She won 19 journalism awards over two years, achieving All-State journalism both years and a National Quill and Scroll Gold Key last year.

Currently, she is Editor-in-Chief of her high school’s paper, Eagle Nation Online. After her principal prior-reviewed and censored the paper, banned editorials and fired Ms. Oglesbee last year, Madhira spoke out, along with fellow journalist Haley Stack. For their advocacy, the two were nominated for the National Courage in Journalism award and honored by the Women's Media Center. Madhira is a student leader of the New Voices movement in Texas and speaks about the importance of students’ and teachers’ rights across the country.