POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — The College of the Ozarks student newscast The Point has been recognized for excellence in journalism by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association (MBEA).
The Point news magazine is a product of The Point Broadcast Newsroom applied learning workstation at College of the Ozarks. Student journalists produce the bi-weekly news magazine with a focus on stories of interest to the campus community. The Point Broadcast Newsroom was established in the fall of 2016. Since then, student journalists of The Point news magazine have been honored with more than 75 collegiate journalism awards at the state, regional, and national levels.
“The students of The Point Broadcast Newsroom are a dedicated group of young journalists who consistently produce excellent work,” said Erin Hayes, associate professor of journalism and supervisor of The Point Broadcast Newsroom. “They have integrity, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to quality. They truly give me hope for the future of journalism. I am grateful to them and to the College for providing resources and opportunities that equip these students with the experience and skills that set them up for success.”
The Point received 10 awards in the MBEA’s 2023 College Media Competition, as follows:
Scriptwriting News – First Place: News Stories
- Abby Riffel, senior journalism major from Sterling, Kansas
News Documentary Short Film – First Place: The Point “A Chef’s Story”
- Alexander Olson, senior culinary arts major from Florissant, Missouri
- Bethany French, senior journalism major from Brighton, Illinois
- Cienna Romines, senior journalism major from Lees Summit, Missouri
News Documentary Short Film – Second Place: The Point “9/11 Survivor’s Story
- Aric Avey, senior journalism major from Fairfield Bay, Arkansas
- Clancy Callahan, junior journalism major from Swifton, Arkansas
- Sarah Best, fall 2022 graduate from Berryville, Arkansas
Feature News Story Video – First Place: The Point “Making Music”
- Abby Riffel
- Jaden Lester, senior journalism major from Heber Springs, Arkansas
- Cienna Romines
- Jacob Henry, junior video production major from Stockton, Missouri
Feature News Story Video – Third Place: The Point “The Tradition of Quilting”
- Clancy Callahan
- Sarah Best
- Anna Ginnings, fall 2022 graduate from Hermitage, Missouri
Feature News Story – Honorable Mention: The Point “Memorials Matter”
- Matthew Clark, junior history major from Maldon, Missouri
- Aric Avey
Hard News Story Video – First Place: The Point “New Bridge Plans”
- Bethany French
- Cienna Romines
- Jaden Lester
- Matthew Clark
Sports Package Video – Second Place: The Point “The Spirit of Coaching”
- Clancy Callahan
- Anna Ginnings
- Bethany French
- Aric Avey
News Show – Recurring – First Place: The Point “Remembering 9/11”
- Aric Avey
- Clancy Callahan
News Show – Recurring – Third Place: The Point “Christmas Traditions”
- Bethany French
- Cienna Romines
- Jaden Lester
- Alexander Olson
The Missouri Broadcast Educators Association was established to encourage and coordinate educational and instructional activities related to broadcast education. Students enrolled in a Missouri University or College are eligible to participate in the MBEA College Media Competition.
The Society of Professional Journalists Awards
The Society of Professional Journalists Region 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska) announced the SPJ college media Mark of Excellence awards on Tuesday, April 4. The Point Broadcast Newsroom was honored with seven Mark of Excellence awards, as follows:
Best all-Around Television News Magazine — Winner: "The Point" - by staff of "The Point"
Television Feature Reporting:
Winner: "A Vision for Clay" — by Abby Riffel, Alexander Olson, Clancy Callahan and Bethany French
Finalist: "Auction" — by Aric Avey and Matthew Clark
Finalist: "9/11 Survivor" — by Aric Avey, Clancy Callahan, Bethany French and Sarah Best
Television Sports Reporting:
Winner: "The Spirit of Coaching" — by Clancy Callahan, Anna Ginnings, Aric Avey and Bethany French
Television General News Reporting:
Finalist: "New Bridge Planned" — by Bethany French, Jaden Lester, Clancy Callahan and Matthew Clark
Food/Restaurant Journalist:
Finalist: "A Chef's Story” — by Alexander Olson, Bethany French and Cienna Romines
The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 7 with 2022 Mark of Excellence Awards winners. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other Mark of Excellence winners from the 12 SPJ regions. Each category can have up to one winner and two finalists. The Mark of Excellence Awards entries are judged by professionals who choose entries they feel are among the best in student journalism.