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The Blue and White Flash scored big at the Mississippi Press Association Better Newspaper Contest Awards, winning nine awards and receiving several honorable mentions.
Shannon Tatum, publications manager and department professor, said, “I’m very proud of my Flash staff. The awards show that their hard work and long hours were not in vain. It is especially beneficial that the winners get to add these achievements to their portfolios to aid in finding internships and employment after graduating. I’m very proud to advise such a talented staff of JSU students.”
The Better Newspaper Contest is held semi-annually to recognize excellence in news content and advertising. Each spring and fall, newspaper professionals gather to judge entries submitted by Mississippi newspapers.
In addition to the editorial and advertising contests, the MPA Education Foundation also hosts a student contest for which winners are presented each spring during the O.C. McDavid Journalism Conference.
The conference is usually held at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, but this year due to Covid-19, it was conducted virtually on March 26.
Editor-in-chief Wakil Atig, a senior journalism and media studies major from Chicago, was elated to win an award while overseeing The Flash.
“Winning the award is an honor. I’m so blessed to be able to represent Jackson State University in such a respectable manner. It’s good to see all the hard work pay off.”
The Flash staff won the following awards:
1st Place – Best General News Story
1st Place – Best Editorials
1st Place – Best Graphic
2nd Place – Best Cartoon
3rd Place – Best Sports News Story
3rd Place – Best Feature Photo
3rd Place – Best Front Page
3rd Place – Best Use of Social Media
3rd Place – General Excellence