Megan Reynolds
Editor-in-Chief
The Murray State News made its way to Lexington Friday, Jan. 24, for a conference with the Kentucky Press Association, winning first place in general excellence both for news and advertising.
Setting out before the sun had even begun peeking above the horizon, and dressed in their business best, the student journalists were ready and excited for the day ahead of them (even if a little tired).
KPA, as well as the Kentucky Intercollegiate Press Association, offers journalists from across the state a chance to be recognized for their hard work in various categories. There are also sessions in which participating journalists can learn and solidify their knowledge of their field.
Not only was Murray State represented by students at KPA, but professors Melony Shemberger and Stephanie Anderson were also in attendance. Shemberger was a presenter for the conference, and Anderson is chairwoman of KIPA and on the KPA Board of Directors.
Presenting for KPA sessions is no small task; it requires much preparation and in-depth research. When preparing for her session on investigative reporting and divisive issues, Shemberger thought back to her time as a student.
“I will never forget my journalism days at Western Kentucky University when attending public meetings was stressed in my coursework and on the newspaper staff,” Shemberger said. “Therefore, when I was preparing for the KPA session, I tapped into my memory bank of my WKU years because those lessons are what helped me become a successful journalist.”
Shemberger said she believes that journalists, both student and professional, need to continue learning and training in their field so they can continuously develop their “watchdog” responsibilities. At KPA, and in many of Shemberger’s classes, journalists are referred to as the watchdogs of the people.
Reflecting on her session, Shemberger was pleased with the outcome.
“I was encouraged to see a room full of student journalists at my session,” she said. “Investigative reporting on university and college campuses is necessary, but this kind of work requires patience and persistence.”
Students participating in KPA were just as enthusiastic with the results of KPA.
“KPA is always a really amazing experience because I get the chance to meet and collaborate with other student journalists,” said Daniella Tebib, news editor for The News.
Tebib said KPA is a refreshing experience; seeing other students that are just as dedicated to solving the campus issues they see (often the same issues Murray State runs into) was an amazing experience for Tebib.
Others had similar sentiments.
“I enjoy KPA because of the opportunity to spend time with my co-workers, but also to get to collaborate with other student and professional journalists, as well,” said Gage Johnson, sports editor for The News. “It’s a great way to further my knowledge in all aspects of the world of journalism while also offering some knowledge that I have, also.”
Tebib and Johnson had previously attended KPA in past years, but for other student journalists, this was their first time.
“I didn’t really know what to expect going into my first KPA, in all honesty,” said Bryce Anglin, The News’s production manager. “I was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of topics the several seminars covered.”
Cady Stribling, opinion editor, felt similarly.
“This was the first time I attended KPA, and I had a great time,” Stribling said.
Stribling found the sessions offered to be very enriching, and each speaker had something new to bring to the table. Like Johnson, she was excited to have time with her co-workers.
“It was great to spend time with my co-workers and refreshing to meet other students around Kentucky who are passionate about journalism,” Stribling said.
The chief photographer for The News, Brock Kirk, came into KPA with a unique perspective, getting the chance to see the world of journalism through a reporter’s eye instead of through a camera lens.
“I always enjoy attending KPA as it allows me to experience a different side of the news,” Kirk said. “I am allowed to learn about what reporters do throughout their workflow for producing stories whether features related, sports-oriented or even breaking news.”
Success in Awards
The Murray State News took home 37 awards across six categories: 13 first place awards, 14 second place awards and 10 third place awards.
In student publication class one, The News took home first place in general excellence for the news, as well as first place in general excellence for advertising.
Elizabeth Erwin, “public relations manager, took home first place for best breaking news coverage. Erwin also earned a first place with staff writer Ciara Benham for best general news story.
Stribling won first place for best feature story.
Blake Sandlin, former sports editor, as well as former editor-in-chief, won a first place award for best sports feature story. Sandlin also took home a third place award he earned with Johnson for best video.
Richard Thompson, photographer, won first place for best general news picture, as well as second place for best picture essay (breaking, general or feature). Thompson also took home a third place award he earned with Kirk and Sandlin in the same category.
Autumn Brown, former cartoonist and artist for The News, won a first and second place award for best graphic.
The whole staff of the paper won first and second place in best video and best front page. They also took home a third place award for best use of social media, as well as best front page.
Camryn Clift, contributing writer, won a second place award for best general news story. Clift also took home a second place award she earned with Alexis Schindler, copy editor, and Bri Hunter, contributing writer, for best ongoing/extended coverage story.
Tebib won a second place award for best enterprise or analytical story, as well as a third place award for best general story.
Claire Smith, features editor for The News, took home second and third place awards for best feature story.
Megan Reynolds, editor-in-chief, took home second place for best columnist.
Keenan Hall won second place for best sports feature story.
Miranda Carpenter, former staff writer, was awarded second place for best investigative story or series.
Johnson took home a second place award, earned with Sandlin, for best use of social media or multi-media. Johnson also won third place for best sports feature story and best headline writer.
Grant Dillard, staff writer, won third place for best ongoing/extended coverage story.
Mackenzie O’Donley, photographer, was awarded third place for best feature picture.
Bryce Anglin took home two first place awards, as well as two second place awards for advertising.
Anderson, adviser to The News, was pleased with how her students did.
“I am incredibly proud of all the student journalists at The Murray State News for their esteemed accomplishments at this year’s conference,” Anderson said. “Our students are among the top not just in Kentucky but in the country. Their hard work to produce a quality newspaper, online content and an online newscast while also maintaining a high level of academic success is impressive.”
