Senior Allie Abel, managing editor of the Patriot Talon, won first place March 27 in a statewide journalism competition conducted by the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association in Kerrville.
Abel's award for press-release writing - on-site competition - is one of 16 honors Talon staff members earned last weekend at the annual convention.
"I'm proud our students are being recognized as some of the best in the state," Talon adviser Vanessa Curry said. "I'm extremely proud of Allie, who is the first student with a public-relations emphasis to lead the student newspaper."
TIPA is one of the largest and oldest student-journalism organizations in America. Each year students compete in various events including news writing, photography, editing, design and advertising. The competition is divided into two categories: on-site and previously-published.
On-site competition is conducted during the convention with students from all universities and colleges competing in one division.
In the previously-published contest, the Talon competed in Division II for student newspapers that publish once a week at a university or college. That division consists of 14 schools including Sam Houston State University, The University of Texas at Brownsville, Stephen F. Austin University, Tarrant County College, The University of Texas at El Paso, Del Mar College and The University of Texas at San Antonio.
The Talon finished tied for fourth place in overall points in Div. II.
Other awards earned by Talon staff members in the previously-published contest are: