Una Student Newspaper And Yearbook Bring Home Awards From National College Media Convention

Nov. 07, 2012

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@zo23.com, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - The Flor-Ala student newspaper and Diorama student yearbook at the University of North Alabama both won Best of Show awards while at the 91st annual National College Media Convention hosted by Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Association in Chicago. The Diorama placed fourth among yearbooks with fewer than 300 pages, while The Flor-Ala placed 10th among four-year weekly tabloids. "The Flor-Ala staff works tirelessly to produce a paper for UNA's campus," said Josh Skaggs, executive editor of The Flor-Ala. "To have a national organization recognize us for the journalism we do is an honor and affirmation that the work we are doing is worthwhile and relevant. This wouldn't be possible without the excellent staff. I also can't thank our adviser, Rebecca Walker, enough for the support and wisdom that she brings to our office." Siobhan Gehrs, executive editor of the Diorama, said the high ranking came as a pleasant surprise. "They counted the winners down from 10, and by the time they got to number six, I didn't think we were going to place," she said. "They called us out and I was so excited. No one gets to see the work we do year-round until the release in April, so it was a great encouragement. We worked so hard for it." This year, the Diorama will celebrate 100 years of yearbook publicationat UNA. The convention took place Oct. 31 through Nov. 4. According to Michael Koretzky, GO12 co-director, there were 2,433 students and professors from 370 schools in attendance. The National College Media Convention is the largest gathering of college journalists and advisers in the world. The convention offers nearly 400 practical and professional learning sessions, from high-profile keynotes to specific, problem-solving breakouts, hands-on workshops and discussion groups. For more information, contact Rebecca Walker, UNA coordinator of student media, at 256-765-4426 or email rlwalker@zo23.com.