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Student Journalists Earn Honors in Regional SPJ, State APW Contests
Student editors and staff for the NWACC Eagle View received certificates recognizing their accomplishments in two professional contests – one regional and one statewide -- in May.
Students received three awards in the regional 2023 Mark of Excellence competition of the Society of Professional Journalists. Awards were announced in late April and received via mail in mid-May.
Two SPJ awards were presented in general divisions in which colleges from throughout a four-state region could compete. One award, for breaking news, was in a division for small schools with fewer than 10,000 academic students.
According to its webpage, the Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 12 with the 2023 Mark of Excellence Awards. SPJ’s Region 12 comprises Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Morgan Nunley, fall 2023 online editor, received first place in the category of cultural criticism. Nunley wrote and scheduled for posting three movie reviews he deemed Christmas or holiday movies in a three-day countdown on Dec. 24, 25 and 26. His top pick was “Die Hard,” which he described as the greatest Christmas movie ever. Other selections by Nunley were “Christmas Vacation” and “Gremlins.” Nunley’s entry advances to a national competition of student journalists from throughout SPJ’s 12 regions. The national award-winners will be announced in June.
Samantha McClain, managing editor during the fall semester, led in efforts to produce the Eagle View’s first e-publication, which was edited and designed in November and posted in December of 2023. McClain was aided by Duane Coleman, a graphic design instructor, in producing the first e-pub. Journalism students on staff and across multiple journalism classes created content for the e-pub. The e-publication was named a finalist in the Best Use of Multimedia category.
Delaney Reaves, managing editor in spring 2023 and editor-in-chief in fall 2023, and Gillian Bunting, a student in Media Writing in spring 2023, received a finalist award in the category of breaking news reporting for a small school with fewer than 10,000 students. The two covered former Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s April 2023 announcement of his presidential campaign.
In a separate state contest, both McClain and Reaves received honors in the Arkansas Press Women’s professional communications contest. Awards were presented May 18 at the historic Villa Marre house in Little Rock.
McClain received five first-place awards, three third-place awards, and one honorable mention. The awards included:
- First Place in Photography: Photo Essay for iGive Pie Campaign.
- First Place in Collegiate/Education: Art and Design -- Photographs for Anti-war Protesters Speak Against the Violence in Gaza.
- First Place in Collegiate/Education: Writing -- News for Anti-war Protesters Speak Against the Violence in Gaza.
- First Place in Writing: Specialty Articles -- Education for Board of Trustees Approves Student Activity Fee.
- First Place in Collegiate/Education: Writing -- Opinion/Editorial/Reviews for Indiana Jones Film Provides Satisfying End to Series.
- Third Place in Photography: Photographer-writer for NWA Fiber Festival.
- Third Place in Collegiate/Education: Art and Design -- Graphics/illustrations for Millage Vote Results.
- Third Place in Collegiate/Education: Writing -- Features for Peace at Home Starts With a Healthy Relationship.
- Honorable Mention in Collegiate/Education: Art and Design -- Design for Clubs, and Orgs, and Resources, Oh My!
Reaves received a first-place award, two second place awards and an honorable mention.
Her awards included:
- First Place in Writing: Personality Profile, 750 words or fewer for Leader of the (Drama) Pack.
- Second Place in Collegiate/Education: Writing -- Features for Support Through the Journey.
- Second Place in Collegiate/Education: Writing -- News for Asa Hutchinson Announces Official Presidential Run. (Bunting was a co-entrant on this submission.)
- Honorable Mention in Collegiate/Education: Writing -- News for Legislature Considers Bill Regulating Books, Librarians.
All of the submissions were for work done for the NWACC Eagle View student newspaper, in print and online.
The first-place entries from Reaves and McClain were advanced to a national contest hosted by the National Federation of Press Women. Winners in the national competition will be announced at an awards banquet June 22 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Arkansas Press Women is marking its 75th year this year. It was organized in 1949, and Roberta Fulbright, publisher of the Fayetteville, Arkansas, newspaper, called that founding meeting of what was then Arkansas Newspaper Women.