NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University student media representatives have excelled in various state and national contests, capturing a total of 75 awards this spring. The achievements were highlighted by the outstanding performance of the student publications and broadcasting teams.

The 2023 Tower yearbook stood out by claiming top honors in all eight yearbook categories at the Missouri College Media Association Convention. Cassie Ford, the editor-in-chief of the 2024 Tower yearbook, expressed the team's joy, stating, "Receiving the awards this year meant the world to us." Ford emphasized the significance of the accolades in acknowledging the hard work and dedication of the team.

The Northwest Missourian student newspaper also made a remarkable impact by securing 30 awards at the MCMA convention, including the prestigious Sweepstakes Award for the second consecutive year. Editor-in-chief Sidney Lowry praised the team's commitment, stating, "Being able to have 12 people on staff take home individual and multiple other awards is all because of the work everyone puts in each week."

Furthermore, KZLX 106.7 LP-FM, the university's student-run radio station, received six awards at the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association awards presentation. General manager Kenzee Peterman highlighted the importance of the awards in assessing their performance and areas for improvement, saying, "These awards are important to us because it gives a view into how well we are doing and where we are succeeding and ways that we can improve."

KNWT, the student-run television station at Northwest, also demonstrated excellence by nabbing seven honors at the MBEA convention. General manager Blake Rizner expressed pride in the team's achievements, stating, "The awards we’ve won have been a great way to see how our hard work has paid off."

Additionally, Northwest's Student Media advertising team clinched six awards, including recognition for Best Advertising Manager. Sidney Lowry emphasized the invaluable hands-on learning provided by the School of Communication and Mass Media, stating, "These awards solidify the importance of giving students the opportunity to learn in a professional environment."

The success of Northwest Missouri State University's student media in these competitions underscores the dedication and talent of the students involved. The awards not only recognize their hard work but also serve as a testament to the quality of education and training offered by the university's communication and media programs.