Journalism Students Rack Up Awards
Journalism Students Rack Up Awards
Susan Rosenlof
Erin Grace '91, Abby McGuire '25, Natalie Else '25, Nika Kouassi '25, Dr. Carol Zuegner '73 and Sarah Cushman Crotzer '96 join for a Marian photo. Grace and Zuegner were featured speakers of the day and Crotzer is now the journalism adviser at Millard North.
As the end of the school year approaches, Marian journalism students are seeing the rewards of their hard work. At the Nebraska Press Women 2025 High School Communications Contest Awards Luncheon in Gretna on Sat., April 12, three seniors represented Marian.
According to Contest Director Sherry Thompson, the contest is very competitive. "We had a total of 347 entries in 23 categories – with some categories having more than 25 entries. Receiving awards is a testament to students doing great work."
The conference featured a luncheon along with several speakers. Some familiar faces included Dr. Carol Zuegner, former Associated Press copy editor and 27-year Creighton University journalism professor. Her presentation talk about “Journalism – What Lies Ahead.” Dr. Zuegner is a Marian graduate from 1973.
Another Marian graduate, Erin Grace, the Director of Strategic Communications and External Relations at the National Counterterrorism, Innovation, Technology and Education Center at University of Nebraska at Omaha, also presented. She talked about the transition between news and her 22-year career at the Omaha World-Herald and her journey into the field of public relations. Grace graduated from Marian in 1991.
Students also had a strong showing at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Student Media Conference on Fri., April 11. Marian competed in the Division B category for non-broadcasting entries based on size of school. All Divisions were judged together for the broadcasting contests.
Students representing Marian at UNO on April 11 were Elizabeth Buescher (Yearbook), Sophia Shillcut (M-Beat), Kelsey Bragg (M-Beat), Savanna Bradley (M-Beat), Mary McKay (Network) and Zoey Jacobson (M-Beat).
A full listing of individual student awards can be found here.