After dedicating her entire high school career to the 'Iolani School newspaper, editor-in-chief Keyana Stevens never expected to see her paper win the top high school journalism award before graduation in June.

"This is not really happening. This is a figment of my overactive imagination," Stevens said after Imua 'Iolani took first place yesterday in the 2008 Hawai'i High School Journalism Awards.

It was a first for the newspaper in the 38-year history of the awards. 'Iolani also won best in state in the categories of best editorial writing, best illustration and best single issue.

In second place was Ka Mo'i, the student newspaper of Kamehameha Schools' Kapalama campus and last year's overall winner. Sacred Hearts Academy's Ka Leo took third place.

This year's submissions from 33 O'ahu and Neighbor Island high schools were judged in eight categories, including news, feature, sports, editorial and layout and design.

So unexpected was 'Iolani's win that only two staff members — Stevens and Photo Editor Nash Witten — attended the awards luncheon yesterday at the Pagoda International Ballroom.

"They're all preparing for their AP (Advanced Placement) exams," said Karin Swanson, 'Imua 'Iolani's faculty adviser.

Stevens said the newspaper's recent focus has been covering issues students are talking about — even controversial ones.

"It's taken us a couple of years to get to the point where we're comfortable (telling those stories), especially because we're a private school," she said.

A small student staff works on the monthly newspaper outside of class and students do not receive academic credit. During layout week, the staff spends as many as four hours a day Tuesday through Friday after school putting the paper together.

Stevens said her staff's commitment is what sets them apart from other papers. "The people who work for Imua are the ones who want to be there," she said.

The awards are sponsored by the Hawai'i Publishers Association, The Honolulu Advertiser and Honolulu Star-Bulletin.