On Friday, Feb. 23, writers and editors from Piedmont’s student-run newspaper, The Roar, traveled down to Athens, Georgia to receive awards at the 2024 Georgia Press Institute presented by the Georgia College Press Association.
Throughout the day, professors, publishers and journalists presented to attending students from universities and colleges all over the state of Georgia. They allowed students to ask questions to help them learn more about the journalism industry while also providing them with insights about their own experiences.
At 3 p.m. in the afternoon, the award ceremony began.
The Roar received three awards as a newspaper as a whole. The Roar won first place for Best Website, second place for General Photography, and third place for Campus Community Service in Sports.
Piedmont students swept the “Best Column” category with senior Matt Kodrowski taking third place with Determined to Break the Cycle of Divorce, senior Chris Donsereaux taking second place with On Track, and senior Chloe Spradlin taking first place with ‘Gifted’ Tag Adds Unnecessary Pressure to Children.
Three students covering different categories won a second-place award for their journalistic work. Listed below are the second-place award winners from Piedmont University:
- Sophomore Paige Kluba – Kicking Cancer: Still’s 2023 season 13 years in the making. (Feature Story)
- Junior Nahomi Solorzano – ROAR TV is on Live in 1…2…3… (Entertainment Feature)
- 2023 Alumni Rowan Edmonds – Bright Star Guides You to Theatre (Review)
Several students across the board earned a third-place finish for their journalistic and photographic efforts. The winners, all Piedmont communications students, are listed below:
- Sophomore Erin Donovan – Hebrink Channels Pressure of Being a National Champion (Sports Story)
- Sophomore Lainey Pettit – Puzzles (Entertainment Feature)
- Seniors Hailey Johnson and Jarrett Ray – Piedmont Needs More Parking at the Student Commons (Editorial)
- Senior Matt Kodrowski – ‘Violent Night’ Not a Standard Christmas Movie (Review)
- 2023 Alumni Kelsey Skendziel – Symposium (Photograph: News)
Club advisor and mass communications professor Laura Hudgens attended the conference with the students. Hudgens supported the students every step of the way and was excited to be there with them after the hard work they put into each article.
“I’m extremely proud of The Roar staff taking home so many awards. The Roar has again proven itself as a notable source for news both online and in print,” said Hudgens.
Piedmont journalists, photographers and game designers continue to work hard on their craft and produce content in the monthly paper, The Roar, distributed around campus for students and staff to enjoy.
Stay up to date with campus and global news at piedmontroar.com and be on the lookout for the next edition of The Roar in all campus buildings.
