After coming out on top at the annual Missouri College Media Association (MCMA) awards ceremony, Hilltop Monitor Editors-in-Chief Sofia Arthurs-Schoppe and Christina Kirk were beaming despite the dismal weather.
The two chief editors attended the conference along with Social Media Manager Cassie Hayes, Lifestyle Page Editor Madison Carroll and Faculty Advisor Dr. Lori Wetmore in Springfield, MO, April 13.
The Monitor was granted 25 awards at the prestigious event, including the prize for the best small college newspaper in the state of Missouri.
Event divisions were established based on the number of students enrolled in the institute at the time of the ceremony. Up against the Monitor in division three was Evangel University, Southwest Baptist University, Park University, Harris-Stowe State University, Avila University, Fontbonne University, Hannibal-Lagrange University, Stephens College, Culver-Stockton College and Missouri Valley College.
Awards were granted by the state-branch of the College Media Association, the official organization recognizing collegiate newspapers nationwide. These awards are considered to be some of the most esteemed awards available for college publications, and this year, the Monitor stole the show.
Of the 29 total categories, The Hilltop Monitor submitted entries for 16 and won awards for at least one entry in every one of those. In total, the Monitor won 25 awards.
Each award was assigned a numerical points value – four for first place, three for second, two for third and one for honorable mention – and the sum total of the points won across every other category determined the publication which won the division’s Sweepstakes award, representative of Best Overall. The Monitor received this award for division three.
A list of the awards received by the Monitor can be found below:
Sweepstakes (Best Overall)
The Hilltop Monitor Staff, First Place
Website Design
Sofia Arthurs-Schoppe & Christina Kirk, First Place
Editorial Writing
Sofia Arthurs-Schoppe & Christina Kirk, First Place: “Letter from the Editor: New Pronoun Policy”
Catherine Dema, Second Place: “Opinion: The government should keep its hands off my godd*mn internet”
Audrey Mapes, Honorable Mention: “Opinion: Yes, It Matters–Kindness in the Dark”
Column
Savannah Hawley, First Place: “To Be Honest…with Savannah Hawley”
In-Depth News Reporting
Sofia Arthurs-Schoppe, First Place: “Prospects bleak as housing crisis in KC mirrors national epidemic”
Christina Kirk, Second Place: “Troostapalooza addresses Kansas City’s internal economic and racial divisions”
Feature Writing
Hannah Koehler, Third Place: “Kansas City’s first biennial art festival brings awareness to social and cultural history by promoting local artists”
Catherine Dema, Honorable Mention: “New data science major draws students to Jewell and addresses industry need”
Sofia Arthurs-Schoppe, Honorable Mention: “Fresh Ideas brings fresher beans through rekindled relationship with The Roasterie”
Sports Writing
Abby Christensen, Second Place: “Jewell Cross Country teams ready for new season with [another] new coach”
Investigative Reporting
Elliott Yoakum, First Place: “An in-depth study on diversity within Jewell’s curriculum”
Sofia Arthurs-Schoppe, Second Place: “Prisoners protest treatment and conditions in IWOC’s National Prison Strike”
Savannah Hawley & Hannah Koehler, Third Place: “College officials address miscommunication about the Journey Grant program”
Entertainment Review
Harper Vincent, First Place: “Movie Review: “Beautiful Boy””
Tavarus Pennington, Honorable Mention: “Album Review: “DiCaprio 2””
News Writing
Sofia Arthurs-Schoppe, Second Place: “Operation: Ceasefire KC raises awareness of violent crime and homicide through attempted murder-free weekend”
Non-Political/Entertainment Cartoon
Kitt Wilhelm, First Place: “Kitt’s Toons #3”
Story Illustration
Audrey Mapes, First Place: “Women in History: Nancy Wake”
Audrey Mapes, Second Place: “Women in History: Anna Julia Cooper”
Information Graphic
Sofia Arthurs-Schoppe, First Place: “Prospects bleak as housing crisis in KC mirrors national epidemic”
Feature Photography
Mykala Crews, First Place: “Artist Feature: Terrace Wyatt”
Sports Photography
Sofia Arthurs-Schoppe, Second Place: “Photo Feature: Homecoming Game”
News Photography
Cassie Hayes, Second Place: “Kansas City embraces hispanic culture and heritage at Fiesta Hispana”