January 24, 2019
Students top journalism professionals in statewide contest
Submitted by Collegian Media Group
Ten K-State students won first prizes in a competition against professionals in the Kansas Press Association's annual contest this year.
The students, who are all on the staff of Manhappenin' magazine and the Collegian, won for their journalism and advertising work in 2018. The contest has no division for students, so the K-Staters were judged alongside their professional peers from news organizations across the state.
Manhappenin' magazine won first place for best magazine. The other student winners of first prizes:
- Alec Madrigal, Collegian, news.
- Laken Horton, Alanoud Alanazi and Olivia Bergmeier, Manhappenin', best story/picture.
- Olivia Bergmeier, Collegian, sports photo.
- Sarah Emry, Meg Shearer and Alexcia Rodriguez, Manhappenin', photo illustration.
- Allie Deiter, Collegian, specialty ad.
The adviser for Manhappenin', Spencer O'Daniel, highlighted the magazine's growth.
"Over the past two years, Manhappenin' has grown from a local favorite to a nationally recognized collegiate magazine," he said. "Our students are truly some of the most creative on campus and focus their content efforts on subjects that K-Staters can really get behind and enjoy reading."
Like Manhappenin', the Collegian's creative staff, which designs the ads, was recognized in last year's KPA contest too. Emily Maslow, the staff's adviser, says that they are naturally skilled.
"These awards prove that our creative students are exceptional in their talent," she said. "They are producing quality work that meet industry expectations. I am proud to be working with a group of such talented young creatives."
Student staffers also won other awards. Shearer placed second in the feature photo competition for Manhappenin', and Logan Wassall placed second in sports photography for the Collegian.
Also for the Collegian, Bergmeier won third place in spot news photography, and Acacia Thalmann placed third for best entertainment ad.
"To me it shows that our student staff is job-ready even before they graduate," said Steve Wolgast, the Collegian adviser and director of Collegian Media Group. "They take what they learn in their classes and then put it practice on the job with our student publications. Beating professionals is an example of the quality of work K-Staters do."
Altogether, the Collegian won 10 prizes. The staff of the Emporia State Bulletin was the only other college news organization to place in the contest. The awards will be handed out in Topeka on Feb. 9.
Collegian Media Group was founded in 1896 and incorporated in 1946. It also publishes the Royal Purple and hosts the Flint Hills Publications Workshop.