IN a digital landscape crowded with fake news and harmful content, creativity could help credible news stand out and reach young audiences.
Putting that idea into action, the SMK Assunta, Selangor, team – 17-year-olds Jazmin Michael O’Leary, Tan Jen Yin Natasha, Nur Alliya Maisarah Mohd Rahmanirrahim and Julia Elena Wee – emerged as the Upper Secondary champion of The Star’s Reels of Achievers Recognised 2026 (StarROAR 2026) contest.
“We feel honoured to be given this opportunity to spread awareness about harmful content on social media. This win was absolutely unexpected,” O’leary told StarEdu.
Open to students aged 13 to 19, StarROAR 2026 – organised as part of The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme – challenged teams of three to five to create a one-minute reel based on a news article featured in The Star newspaper or Star ePaper between June 8 and July 31, on the theme “The Impact of Social Media”.
Entries were posted on Instagram using #StarROAR2026 and tagged to @starbrats.
The top 10 teams were selected based on content, creativity and video popularity, with five teams each from the Lower Secondary (Form One to Three) and Upper Secondary (Form Four to Six) categories.
Prizes included Touch ‘n Go reloads worth RM1,200, RM1,000, RM800, RM600 and RM500 for the five winning teams in each category. All winners also received physical certificates.
In their winning reel, the SMK Assunta team highlighted how easily rumours can spread online and their potential impact on people’s lives.
“We wanted to spread the message that people should not simply trust everything they see online, but fact-check first to determine whether it is real,” Nur Alliya Maisarah shared.
Meanwhile, the Lower Secondary champions from SMK Puteri Ampang, Selangor – 15-year-olds Aleeysa Humyra Johan, Mia Sophie Lestary, Alyssa Siew Hoy Yan and Yuvina Naidu Sri Dhanapal Naidu – discovered the importance of communication and teamwork through the competition.
“There were a lot of setbacks that could have been avoided if we held proper team discussions,” Aleeysa Humyra shared.
Despite the mishaps, she said the experience brought the team closer.
Both winning teams plan to celebrate by treating their families to a meal, while saving the rest for future use.
The remaining top spots were also dominated by schools from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. In the Lower Secondary category, teams from Chong Hwa Independent High School swept the first through fourth runner-up spots.
In the Upper Secondary category, teams from SMK (P) Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, claimed both the first and second runner-up spots, while SMK (P) Raja Zarina and Kolej Tingkatan Enam Sri Istana, both from Selangor, took third and fourth runner-up respectively.
Schools stepping up
Beyond highlighting students’ creativity, StarROAR 2026 also recognised the role schools played in encouraging student participation, building skills and turning ideas into action.
Two Selangor schools emerged as champions, with SMK (P) Raja Zarina taking the Lower Secondary title and SMK Sungai Kapar Indah winning the Upper Secondary category.
The five winning schools in each category received AEON vouchers worth RM1,000, RM900, RM800, RM700 and RM600 respectively.
To qualify, schools had to purchase at least 100 copies of The Star from June 8 to July 31. The five schools in each category with the highest number of team entries were then awarded prizes.
For SMK Sungai Kapar Indah, the latest win was particularly meaningful as it marked the school’s third consecutive victory.
Contest coordinator and Form Six English Language teacher Umavathy Govendan said the competition encouraged students to strengthen their research, reading and writing skills while engaging with current issues.
The school plans to use its prize money to purchase more smart televisions (TVs) to support classroom teaching and learning.
“We bought some with the prize money that we won last year and the year before that, so we plan to buy more TVs,” Umavathy shared.
Meanwhile, SMK (P) Raja Zarina curriculum secretary and English Language teacher Usha Devi Govendan Kutty said the school would channel its prize towards activities organised by the English Language panel, including programmes that benefit students.
She credited school principal Rohana Abdul Rahman for encouraging students to participate in activities such as StarROAR 2026.
Eight other schools also emerged among the top finishers in their respective categories.
In the Lower Secondary category, SMK Sungai Kapar Indah was first runner-up, followed by three other Selangor schools - Sekolah Menengah Agama Persekutuan Kajang, SMK Saujana Utama and SMK Taman Kosas.
In the Upper Secondary category, Kolej Tingkatan Enam Sri Istana took first runner-up, followed by SMK (P) Raja Zarina, Kolej Tingkatan Enam Desa Mahkota, Kuala Lumpur, and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bandar Tun Hussein Onn 2, Selangor.
At the prize-giving ceremony held at Menara Star in Petaling Jaya on Sept 23, Star Media Group (SMG) Print senior general manager Goh Kok Soo thanked the participating schools, teachers and students for their enthusiasm and commitment.
“I am especially happy to see more schools and students joining us this year compared with last year. Your enthusiasm reminds us that young Malaysians have important perspectives to share,” he said.
At the event, SMG social media specialist Bernard Cheah shared tips on identifying and debunking fake news (see infographic).
Also present at the event were Education Ministry Sentul District Education Office English Language specialist coach Thanbeer Kaur Sekhon Daljit Singh, Universiti Teknologi Mara Faculty of Communication and Media Studies senior lecturer Dr Abdul Hamid Saifuddin, SMG Education deputy executive editor Dr Christina Chin and SMG Circulation senior manager Andrew Lim.
Winners’ tips
Upper Secondary champions: SMK Assunta
"We had so many creative aspects in our video, and that helped us win. My advice to future participants is to be as creative as possible." — Jazmin Michael O’Leary
"Never hesitate to do something you are passionate about, because you never know where it might lead." — Tan Jen Yin Natasha
"Do not doubt yourself; believe that you are capable. It is okay to step outside your comfort zone and try new experiences." — Nur Alliya Maisarah Mohd Rahmanirrahim
"Just go for it. This was my first experience, and I really enjoyed it even though it took a lot of time." — Julia Elena Wee
Lower Secondary champions: SMK Puteri Ampang
"It is important to have supportive teammates who lift you up and encourage each other, especially during difficult times." — Aleeysa Humyra Johan
"Despite the challenges we faced with the script and editing, it was still fun. This opportunity also allowed us to spread awareness to other people." — Mia Sophie Lestary
"Be patient with your teammates because everyone makes mistakes, and practice takes time. Best of luck to those joining StarROAR next year!" — Alyssa Siew Hoy Yan
"Make sure to discuss decisions with your teammates to avoid miscommunication. Practise speaking in front of the camera too, so it feels more natural." — Yuvina Naidu Sri Dhanapal Naidu
