Southwestern College journalism students, past and present, were recently recognized by the Kansas Press Association (KPA) and the Kansas Associated Collegiate Press (KACP).

SC senior Jessica Bernhardt earned a first-place from the KPA in the religion writing category for her story “A Day in the Life: Spending a Day With the Messenger of God’s Word.” Bernhardt completed an internship at the Marion County Record and the Hillsboro Star-Journal during the summer of 2008.

Monica Springer, 2008 SC graduate in journalism, won two awards in this year’s competition. Springer is a reporter for the Garden City Telegram. In the Daily Division 2 she earned a second place in the education category for her story “Blowing Away the Costs.” She earned a third place award in the agricultural category for her story “Market Loss Hits Farmers.”

At the KACP awards, Bernhardt won Journalist of the Year in the four-year yearbook and magazine division. She was awarded a plaque and a $250 check.

Anthony Cook, communication senior, received recognition as the second runner-up for the Journalist of the Year for four-year newspaper. Cook was given a certificate and a $50 check.

The Collegian staff submitted 82 entries. Second place awards were given to Brian Nelson, English junior, for review writing, and Cook for front page design. Awards for third place were received by Nelson for illustration and news photography; Cameron Siefkes, communication junior, in review writing;  Cook for front page design; and Paige Carswell, journalism sophomore, for sports column writing. Honorable mentions were awarded to Nelson for infographics; Kenna Corley, class of 2008, in interior page design; Corley, Cook, and Nelson for photo essay; Samantha Gillis, journalism sophomore, in review writing; and Cook for column writing.

Overall, the staff received a gold medal in the four-year private newspaper division. They placed third out of eleven newspapers.

Eleven entries were submitted by the Moundbuilder yearbook. First place was given to Diane Dixon, class of 2008, for cover design, and Katie Allender, communication senior, for theme development. They placed fourth out of eight publications.
Stacy Sparks, assistant professor of journalism, is the adviser for the newspaper staff.

 “I’m happy for every student who received an individual award, but I am most happy that the newspaper staff received a gold medal in the overall contest,” said Sparks. “The results mean that there are two other private college newspapers considered better than we are and I’m happy about the progress that this team has made.”