WKU News

More than 80 high school journalists and advisers from 10 high schools across Kentucky attended the 37^th annual Mark of Excellence newspaper, broadcasting and online awards ceremony at WKU on March 24.

The competition is co-sponsored by WKU’s School of Journalism & Broadcasting and the WKU chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Nine Kentucky high school newspapers, eight broadcasting programs and six online news outlets from across the state entered the 2017 competition with a total of 126 entries in 24 categories.

The best overall high school newspaper award went to the staff of The Rebellion from Boone County High School, advised by Lance Melching. The best overall high school broadcast award went to the staff of OTVX from Oldham County High School, advised by Bobbi Templet. The best overall high school news website award went to the staff of the RedEye at DuPont Manual High School in Louisville, advised by James Miller.

The most valuable newspaper staff member award went to Samantha McAllister, a senior on the staff of The Purple Gem at Bowling Green High School, advised by Lindsey Houchin. The most valuable broadcast team member award went to Laurel Deppen, a senior on the staff of WBHS at Ballard High School in Louisville, advised by Donna Evans. The most valuable yearbook staff member award went to Seyda Muratova, a senior at DuPont Manual High School in Louisville advised by Margaret Mattingly.

The keynote speaker for the awards ceremony (pictured above) was Chuck Clark, the director of Student Publications at WKU. A WKU graduate, Clark returned to his alma mater in 2012 after working as an editor or writer at numerous newspapers throughout the southeastern United States, most recently as managing editor at the Birmingham News in Birmingham, Alabama. Clark talked to the students about why journalism is more important today than ever before.

More: List of 2017 Mark of Excellence award winners

Contact: School of Journalism and Broadcasting, 270-745-4144