School of Media News

WKU’s Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the SJ&B hosted the 33^rd annual Mark of Excellence Newspaper, Broadcasting and Online awards ceremony March 29 at the Mass Media & Technology Hall.  More than 100 Kentucky high school journalists from seven high schools attended the event.

Award-winning photojournalist and WKU photojournalism professor Tim Broekema shared his career as a visual journalist. He told the students about the three P’s of success: practice, practice and passion. Broekema’s work has been recognized nine times for the Photographer of the Year International Contest along with a team Pulitzer Prize. Broekema is a graduate of WKU.

Thirteen Kentucky high school newspapers, seven broadcasting programs and seven online news outlets from across the state entered the 2013 competition, with a total of more than 140 entries in 24 categories. Schools were judged in two divisions based on student enrollment.

Best overall high school newspaper awards went to Assumption High School’s The Rosecall in Class AAA and Bowling Green High School’s The Purple Gem in Class AAAA. The best overall broadcast/newscast award went to Oldham County’s OTVX in Class AAA/AAAA. The best high school news website in Class AAAA went to duPont Manual High School‘s “The RedEye.”

The most valuable newspaper staff member award was presented to Grace Whitworth of South Oldham High School. The most valuable broadcast team member awards were presented to Emily Jordan of Fern Creek Traditional School and Ryan Duvall of Oldham County High School. The most valuable yearbook staff member award was presented to Kelsi White of duPont Manual High School.

The James L. Highland Media Adviser of the Year Award has been established to recognize the Kentucky high school media teacher who actively supports and protects the First Amendment rights of students through inspiring high ethical and professional standards. In addition, the award recognizes outstanding achievement in Kentucky’s high school or middle school media classrooms and in student publications and broadcasts.

The 2013 James L. Highland Media Adviser of the Year award went to Anthony Lococo. He has served as an adviser at Trinity High School in Louisville for the last 28 years. Lococo is an advocate for student journalists’ rights and has impacted many lives.

More: Results from the 2013 Mark of Excellence contest