(April 12, 2017) KANSAS CITY, MO – Members of the Avila University Talon Media Network brought home 14 awards from the Missouri Collegiate Media Association (MCMA) 2017 Annual Conference in St. Joseph, Missouri on April 8.
The team swept the design competition winning first, second and third place awards and nearly swept the video awards taking first, third and honorable mention for Talon.tv. In addition the Talon won firstplace in sports writing, second in special sections, second in photography, second in advertising design, third in editorial writing and third and honorable mention for info graphics, a total of fourteen awards in all. The Talon News Magazine took third place in news publications in the state of Missouri.
The fourteen awards are a record high for the Talon and they won across all spectrums in journalism – writing, photography, advertising, illustration, video production and publication design. The Avila Talon competed in Division 3 of the competition, which includes William Jewell, Southwest Baptist, Park University, Culver-Stockton College, Evangel University and Missouri Valley College.
“It is highly unusual to sweep the design category which is traditionally very competitive,” J. Anthony Snorgrass, Ph.D. and Talon faculty advisor said. “But the real significance of this year’s awards is that it represents the full spectrum of teamwork, particularly in the diversity of the categories in which it won. I am quite proud of the team’s accomplishments and recognize the many extra hours they have devoted to assuring the Talon and Avila University remain a recognized model of progressive digital media publications.”
“I really owe all the credit to the amazing Talon team or editors and writers,” said Gracyn Reed, Talon editor-in-chief. “Without them, there is no way possible the Talon could do all the cutting-edge things we do. They keep me sane, while also pushing me to the best of my abilities as editor-in-chief. I’m glad to have such talented people to work with.”
Reed, formerly the managing editor, took over the reigns of the Talon in the fall of 2016. Brianna Peralta, managing editor; Ryan Meyer, sports editor; Mohammed Alabdullah, international editor; Jessica Albina, photography editor; and Joy Branch, video editor all contributed in their own significant ways.
Pictured left to right: International editor Mohammed Alabdullah, editor-in-chief Gracyn Reed, sports editor Ryan Meyer and managing editor Brianna Peralta.
Avila University, a Catholic University sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, is a values-based community of learning providing liberal arts, professional, undergraduate and graduate education to prepare students for responsible, lifelong contributions to the global community. Our approach to education brings out the best in our students, so they can bring out the best in others.