The Murray State News won 15 awards, including third-place general excellence, in the student division at the Kentucky Press Association’s winter conference Jan. 23 in Louisville. The contest recognizes the best work across writing, reporting, visual journalism and design for Kentucky newspapers and news sites.
The Kentucky Press Association holds contests in advertising and news divisions each year. The News received four awards in the advertising division, making it the only student publication to earn them. Additionally, The News won 10 individual awards in the news division against the University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University, Northern Kentucky University and Eastern Kentucky University.
“We are so excited and proud to have received 15 awards at the KPA winter conference,” said Zach Simmons, a senior journalism major from Benton, Kentucky, who currently serves as editor-in-chief. “The entire group, from faculty adviser to contributors, works really hard to put out great content and show how much student journalism truly matters. To be part of an organization that cares about not only nurturing us as journalists, but as people, is something we don’t take for granted.”
Before this year, KPA had two student publication divisions divided by enrollment. The News had competed in the smaller school division but the divisions were combined this year. Adviser Leigh Landini Wright praised the students for rising to the challenge.
“We have limited resources, a small staff and a small budget, so for us to compete against top schools says something about the quality of the work these students produce,” Wright said. “I say it often, student journalism is journalism. These students are putting into practice the skills they learn in our classrooms, and they are succeeding at a high level of competition. UK and Western both compete and win multiple prestigious national awards.”
Across both news and advertising contests, The News received five first-place awards, three second-place awards, four third-place awards and two certificates of merit.
First Place:
Aly Adler, Ania Boutin, River Murt, breaking news coverage
Chelby Melvin, sports feature story
Kristopher Fister, feature photo
River Murt, business/agribusiness story
Staff, Gateway magazine, advertising special section or magazine
Second Place:
MacKenzie Rogers, advertising special section or magazine for Racer Guide
Aly Adler, social media/multimedia
Kristopher Fister, feature photo
Third Place:
Ania Boutin, River Murt, Harper Spaulding, ongoing/extended coverage
Kristopher Fister, breaking news photo
Zackary Claggett, video
Zackary Claggett, general news photo
Certificate of Merit:
Elisha Butryn, general ad
Staff, best cover in the advertising special section
The Murray State News is the student-run news organization at Murray State. It is funded through donations and advertising revenue. Founded in 1927 as The College News, The News will enter its centennial publication year in the fall. The News has a long tradition of excellence with awards at the state, regional and national level, including recognition as a Top 100 Pacemaker school.
