POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — The Society of Professional Journalists, Region 7, honored The Point student journalists in its annual Mark of Excellence collegiate journalism awards ceremony in Wichita, Kansas, on April 9. The Point’s student journalists received regional awards in several categories, including Best All-Around News Magazine.

Students receive awards from Society of Professional Journalists, Missouri Broadcast Educators Association

Society of Professional Journalists, Region 7, Mark of Excellence collegiate journalism awards:

Best All-Around Television News Magazine – Winner: The Point “Snow Hits Campus”

• Avery Reed, fall 2021 graduate from Belleville, Illinois
• Nate Hankins, fall 2021 graduate from Jackson, Missouri
• Verve Reposar, junior video production major from Walnut Shade, Missouri
• Student videographers of The Point

Television General News Reporting – Winner:  The Point “Veterans of Afghanistan”

• Avery Reed
• Nate Hankins 
• Nathan Jeffries, fall 2021 graduate from Trimble, Missouri

Broadcast/Online Feature Videography – Finalist:  The Point “Character Camp”

• Verve Reposar 
• Abby Riffel, junior journalism major from Sterling, Kansas
• Student videographers of The Point

Broadcast/Online Feature Videography – Finalist:  The Point “Making a Musical”

• Verve Reposar
• Abby Riffel
• Alexander Olson, senior culinary arts major from Florissant, Missouri

Television News In-Depth Reporting – Finalist:  The Point “Gamestop”

• Karsten Armstrong, senior history major from Worthington, Minnesota
• Sarah Best, senior journalism major from Berryville, Arkansas
• Anna Ginnings, senior journalism major from Hermitage, Missouri
• Alexander Olson

College of the Ozarks associate professor of journalism, Erin Hayes, accompanied her students to the SPJ conference.

“It is so gratifying to see these fine students recognized by professionals in the news business,” Hayes said.

“My students have a strong work ethic and a dedication to seeking and reporting truth, and that is what we need in the news business today. Our college administration has supported the growth of our journalism program, and their support is bearing fruit as these wonderful young journalists flourish and go out into the newsrooms of America.”

Hayes is an award-winning journalist and former ABC news correspondent. In 2017, she was inducted into The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle. She is a four-time recipient of the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award and a winner of the National Sigma Delta Chi Award for Investigative Reporting. She received the National Investigative Reporters and Editors Award, three Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia Awards, and was recognized for her work during ABC News’ coverage of 9/11.

The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 7 with 2021 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.  SPJ’s Region 7 comprises Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.

Missouri Broadcast Educators College Media Awards:

News Show – Recurring – First Place:  The Point “Snow Coverage”

• Avery Reed
• Nate Hankins
• Verve Reposar 
• Student videographers of The Point

Hard News Story – First Place:  The Point “Gamestop”

• Karsten Armstrong
• Alexander Olson
• Sarah Best
• Anna Ginnings

Feature News Story – Second Place:  The Point “The Musical”

• Verve Reposar
• Alexander Olson
• Abby Riffel

Hard News Story – Second Place:  The Point “Snow Storm”

• Nate Hankins
• Alexander Olson
• Verve Reposar
• Abby Riffel

The Missouri Broadcast Educators College Media Awards were created to showcase individual accomplishments and group projects from Missouri college students. Students enrolled in a Missouri university or college are eligible to participate. The Missouri Broadcast Educators Association was formed to encourage and coordinate educational and instructional activities related to broadcast education to the end that the benefits may have the greatest possible effect on broadcast education in Missouri.

“The Point” Broadcast Newsroom was established in 2015. It is a College of the Ozarks workstation, and its students produce weekly newscasts and sportscasts covering stories of significance to the C of O community. For more information, visit https://www.cofo.edu/News/moduleId/1421/Id/120/controller/PressRelease/action/Details