Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University's 2008 Ouachitonian yearbook received seven Gold Circle Awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). The awards were recently announced at the annual CSPA convention held in New York City.

Gold Circle Awards are given for excellence in journalism to students who exhibit distinguished work in either print or online media. The publications can be in colleges or universities in the United States, as well as overseas schools that follow an American plan of education.

Alan Greenwood, a 2008 mass communications graduate from Arkadelphia, Ark., received first place for sports reporting and a certificate of merit for a black-and-white sports page design.

Audra Hinson, a senior mass communications and Spanish double-major from Little Rock, Ark., received second place for a black-and-white people spread with mug photos, second place in black-and-white division page design, third place in the design essentials (table of contents) category and a certificate of merit in the design essentials (end sheets) category.

Cassie Harrell, a sophomore from Spring Hill, La., and Hinson received third place for a one spread black and white organization spread.

"The Gold Circle Awards are all given for individual achievement, but it's a nice reflection on the quality of the publication as a whole," said Dr. Deborah Root, professor of mass communications and Ouachitonian advisor. "It's a great reward for all the hard work and hours the staff devotes to producing the book."

Hinson, who received several of the awards, is finishing her second year as the yearbook editor. Expressing hopes for next year's competition as well, she said, "We are in the process of creating the 100th edition of the Ouachitonian. It will be the first to be a full color book. We have worked hard again this year, and I hope that this book does even better at competition."

The award recipients in various categories are chosen by the CSPA's panel of judges from a total of more than 13,000 entries. The Gold Circle Awards were established in 1984, but follow a much longer tradition of national awards given to student editors.

By Rebecca Stone