Southeastern students win awards at journalism conference

Tuesday, February 23, 2016 SEJC awards
by: Tonya Lowentritt

STUDENT AWARD WINNERS – Southeastern Louisiana University’s Department of Languages and Communication students finished fifth overall at the Southeast Journalism Conference Championships last weekend at Austin Peay State University. Competing against 26 universities from across the southeast region of the U.S., Southeastern students took home several individual awards that combined for points in the overall competition. Pictured in the front row, from left, are Ryan Harrison, Meredith Keating, Maria Goddard, Dominique Brogle, Jordan Reid, Connor Raborn, Jeremy Rhodes (kneeling), Taylor Waggenspack, Natalie Ragusa and Brooke Robichaux. Back row, from left, are Jaylon Morris, Jordan Rheams, Sarah Hess, Zachary Whitehead, Heather Rogers, Mason Dauphin, Jonathan Rhodes and Justin Redman.


     HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University’s Department of Languages and Communication students finished fifth overall at the Southeast Journalism Conference Championships last weekend at Austin Peay State University. Competing against 26 universities from across the southeast region of the U.S., Southeastern students took home several individual awards that combined for points in the overall competition.
     Connor Raborn of McComb finished first in feature writing; Dominique Brogle of Destrehan and Jordan Reid of Luling finished second in the television news category; Jaylon Morris of Baton Rouge, Justin Redman of Slidell and Tyler Waggenspack of Baton Rouge finished second in ethics; and Brooke Robichaux of Destrehan received honorable mention in the sports photography category.
     In the school awards categories, Southastern was ranked No. 1 for the Southeastern Channel as the best college television station and No. 2 for best college video news program. KSLU ranked No. 2 for best college radio station.
     In addition to the Journalism Championships, Southeastern students also took honors in the Best of the South competition held prior to the convention. Raborn also ranked ninth for feature writing, and Brogle ranked sixth in the best television journalist category. Brittany Robinson of Slidell tied for fourth as the best television news feature reporter, and Danielle Shearer of Hammond ranked No. 3 for best advertising staff member. Hailey Lange of Slidell, having won top paper in her senior thesis class at Southeastern, represented the university in the best research paper competition and ranked fourth.    
     “Southeastern journalism students really look forward to this conference every year, and Austin Peay didn’t disappoint in providing a quality conference,” said Amber Narro, associate professor of communication and Press Club advisor. “The students competed well and enjoyed the sessions. I couldn’t be more proud of the way they represented our university.”
     Professor Joe Mirando, a founding member of the Southeast Journalism Conference and its current secretary/treasurer, also accompanied the students on the trip.
     For a complete list of rankings in the Best of the South contest, visit sejc.org/2016rankings.




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