The annual KPA contest recognizes outstanding work by reporters, columnists, photographers, designers and advertisers from the state’s professional and college newspapers.
As the only community college newspaper competing in the contest’s category of schools with fewer than 10,000 students, The Bridge beat out publications from the University of the Cumberlands (UC), Kentucky State University and Campbellsville University for top honors.
UC’s The Patriot finished a close second in General Excellence, its staff receiving a total of 13 individual awards.
Faculty advisors for The Bridge are Jeff Harris and Stuart Simpson. The graphic design advisor is Marlene Larkins.
“I’m proud of our students and the work they have done,” Harris said. “They are a talented, dedicated bunch, and it’s a thrill to see them compete so successfully with staffs from four-year universities.”
Simpson agreed and said that he hopes this recent success will “encourage other students to join the newspaper staff.”
The Bridge’s individual staff members received five first-place awards, five second-place awards, and two third-place awards, as well as one certificate of merit.
Jay Stringer, managing editor of The Bridge, captured six awards. A resident of Somerset, Stringer won first place in the Best General News Story, Best Enterprise or Analytical Story, and Best Columns categories; second place in the Best Headline and Best General News Photo categories; and a certificate of merit in the Best Ongoing or Extended Coverage category.
The contest judges had high praise for Stringer’s award-winning columns, saying he “knows where he stands, and by the end of each column, he's got you riding right along with him.”
Somerset resident Kelsey Jones shared both the first place award for Best General News Story and the certificate of merit for Best Ongoing or Extended Coverage with Stringer.
Russell Springs resident Dan Fishback received two first-place awards, for Best Feature Story for his profile of fellow student and Renfro Valley performer Avery Bradshaw, and Best Feature Photo for his shot of SCC welding student Ashley Phelps.
Albany resident Rachel Rigney won three awards, taking second place in both the Best Graphic and the Best Enterprise or Analytical Story categories; and third place in the Best Enterprise or Analytical Story category.
Somerset resident Cora Carter received a third place award for Best Photo Essay, and Bronston resident and Bridge Assistant Editor Savanah Colangelo won a second place award for Best Feature Story.
Colangelo’s profile of SCC student and “cake artist” Jessica Ping was singled out for praise by the judges, who said that “it is always nice to read good stories about those doing what they love.”
Link to article on our student newspaper in the January 26, 2017 Commonwealth Journal: http://www.somerset-kentucky.com/news/scc-s-student-newspaper-excels-in-first-kpa-contest/article_1981a146-e34d-11e6-94b8-175936ee8b25.html