BHSU STUDENT MEDIA RECEIVES 18 AWARDS FROM THE NORTHERN PLAINS COLLEGIATE MEDIA ASSOCIATION

Black Hills State University student media took home 18 awards at the Northern Plains Collegiate Media Association’s 2024 Golden Leaf Awards March 23, 2024. The contest comprises schools from across the Midwest with an enrollment under 5,000.  

Out of the 18 awards, 16 were awarded to individual student journalists and two were awarded to the Jacket Journal staff. Five BHSU students came in first place in their categories. Nathan Feller won Best Audio News Story, Austin Graft won Best Column, and Katrina Kenton won Best Sports Feature. Best in Arts and Entertainment Feature was awarded to Makayla Pollman and Best House Ad was awarded to Bridget Schneller.  

Feller and Schneller also received second place awards, and Rylan Bruns, Feller, Kendra Mitchell, Pollman and Schneller took home third place awards. The Jacket Journal won third place in Best Overall Newspaper and their website, BHSUmedia.com, won third place in Best Overall Website. 

“I’m really proud of the work the students were able to accomplish in one semester. They recreated the Jacket Journal from scratch,” said Dr. Justin Bergh, assistant professor of communications at BHSU. “It’s great to see their dedication and hard work honored by professional judges. It proves that the work they are doing is of extremely high quality.”  

A full list of awards can be viewed below:  

First Place Awards: 

Austin Graft: Best Column, “Family, fun, fear: what the Absarokas mean to me” 

Nathan Feller: Best Audio News Story, “BHSU New President” 

Katrina Kenton: Best Sports Feature, “‘Football saved my life’: The Doodles Quinones story” 

Makayla Pollman: Best Arts and Entertainment Feature, “BHSU art student creates ‘Nosey Neighbors’ ceramics" 

Bridget Schneller: Best House Ad, Jacket Journal 

Second Place Awards: 

Nathan Feller: Best Sports Game Story, “Unexpected rivalry game loss alters Season” 

Bridget Schneller: Best Newspaper Spread, “BHSU students will showcase photos for upcoming exhibit” 

Bridget Schneller: Best Newspaper Front Page, “December 6” 

Third Place Awards: 

Best Overall Newspaper: Jacket Journal 

Best Overall Website: BHSUmedia.com 

Rylan Bruns: Best General News Photo, “Parking Ticket”  

Rylan Bruns: Best Sports Game Photo, Ellie Moore 

Nathan Feller: Best In-Depth Reporting, “BHSU attempts to overcome historic funding deficit” 

Kendra Mitchell: Best Sports Feature, “Rallying through unrivaled adversity” 

Makayla Pollman: Best Feature Photo, “Nosey Neighbors” 

Bridget Schneller: Best General News Story, “Spearfish plans for emerald ash borer” 

Bridget Schneller: Best Overall Design, “December 6, 2023” 

Bridget Schneller: Best Display Ad, “Mead Lumber”