The COVID pandemic didn’t stop student journalists from publishing award-winning work during 2020. Arkansas students won 15 awards in the National Federation of Press Women’s annual high school communications contest.
These students first competed in Arkansas Press Women’s 2021 communications contest earlier this year and advanced to the national round of competition.
Arkansas Press Women originally planned to recognize national winners at the 2021 NFPW annual conference in June. APW is the host state this year. However, COVID concerns linger and high school awards went virtual a month early. The NFPW conference is planned for June 11-12 via Zoom.
National high school winners, announced May 22 in a Zoom ceremony, included six winners from Southside High School, two from Little Rock Central High School, and seven from Bryant High School. The first place winners in each category received a $100 cash prize.
FIRST PLACE:
Sports Story: Marissa Goodwin, Southside High School, Fort Smith, Cheerleader toss in air
Best Newscast Radio or Television: Jacob Weaver and Theavan Saitang, Southside High School, Fort Smith, Mav News Monthly – November
SECOND PLACE:
Editorial: Mary Ruth Taylor, Little Rock Central High, Little Rock, Students Suffer Consequences of Penalty to Teachers
Environment: Emily Rutledge, Bryant High School, Bryant, Raging Fires Persist in Australia
News Story: Jack Clay, Bryant High School, Bryant, Art Amid Chaos
Video News Story: Jacob Weaver, Southside High School, Fort Smith, Mav Minute – Band v. Covid
Yearbook Photo: Alex Melton, Bryant High School, Bryant, With Joy on His Face
Yearbook Copywriting: Ashley Courtois, Bryant High School, Bryant, Stepping in Time
THIRD PLACE:
Single Page Layout: Nabila Siddiqui and Trista Truong, Southside High School, Fort Smith, Homecoming 2020
Yearbook Layout: Paige Fuhrman, Bryant High School, Bryant, Game of Graduation
HONORABLE MENTION
Video Sports Story: Theavan Saitang and Jacob Weaver, Southside High School, Fort Smith, Mav Minute – Cross Country State Runner
Feature Story: Rhea Patel, Bryant High School, Bryant, Medical Mystery
Columns or Blogs: Emily Jefferson, Little Rock Central High, Little Rock, Blue Skies in, Gray Skies out: Coping with 2020
Double Truck Layout: Nabila Siddiqui and Trista Truong, Southside High School, Fort Smith, Center Spread December Issue
Video Feature Story: Jacob Weaver, Southside High School, Fort Smith, Mav Minute – Cafeteria Workers