High school journalists from Kentucky and Tennessee were recognized in the 41st annual Mark of Excellence contest sponsored by Western Kentucky University’s School of Media. The awards honor work produced by high school broadcast outlets and news publications. Students from 22 high school news outlets entered the 2021 contest.

While an awards ceremony was not able to be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the contest winners were announced online at the end of April.

WBHS 9 from Brentwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee, was recognized as the Best High School Broadcast. The adviser is Ronnie Adcock.

The Atherton Aerial from Atherton High School in Louisville was recognized as the Best High School News Publication. The adviser is Matthew Rhinehart.

Manual RedEye from duPont Manual High School in Louisville was recognized as the Best High School News Website. The adviser is James Miller.

Brenden Evers, the news director of Mustang TV at McCracken County High School in Paducah, was recognized as the Most Valuable Broadcast Team Member.

Sadie Bograd, the editor-in-chief of the PLD Lamplighter at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington, was recognized as the Most Valuable Newspaper Staff Member.

Tessa Killen, the design editor of the Highlander yearbook at Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, was recognized as the Most Valuable Yearbook Staff Member.

A full list of winners and links to the winning entries can be found at https://www.wku.edu/khsmi/moe/2021-winners.php.

For more information, contact Sam Oldenburg at 270-745-3055 or samual.oldenburg@wku.edu.