Bryant Takes Home 32+ Awards and Top Honors at Arkansas Scholastic Press Association
Bryant High School took 42 journalism students from broadcast, newspaper and yearbook to the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association’s Spring Conference April 20 and 21 in Fayetteville, AR. Over the course of two days, students attended training sessions by industry professionals and educators, competed in on-site competitions and attended awards ceremonies to award scholastic work across the state for the 2022-23 school year.
Broadcast adviser Michael Westbrook earned the distinction of Adviser of the Year. Awarded for his efforts as a program builder, first at Arkansas High School before coming and creating a nationally award-winning program at Bryant in his first year, Westbrook has taken his students on to success at other national competitions hosted by the Student Television Network and Skills USA.
Junior Nevaeh Robinson stated with the application, “Seeing how passionate Mr. Westbrook is about what he does inspires me everyday to continue learning and growing in broadcast journalism.”
Sophomore Chelsea Jensen was awarded Broadcast Journalist of the Year. Jensen is an anchor and reporter for Hornet News Now and The Bryant Buzz.
Her adviser, Westbrook, said of Jensen’s work, “Chelsea has a strong understanding of the storytelling process. Her ability to consistently put all the pieces together with each story she told helped her stand out as the ideal candidate for Broadcast Journalist of the Year.”
Senior Lydia Payne was awarded Newspaper Editor of the Year. Serving on the staff of the Prospective newspaper for three years, and two years as an editor, Payne earned the award with a portfolio exemplifying quality writing and design as well as examples of leadership within the classroom.
In a recommendation by her adviser, Colton Croy stated “her passion for journalism, compassion for staff and sharp eye for engaging, important content for her readers have helped shape a more relevant digital newspaper for Bryant High School.”
Student work in journalism earned 32 Superior, Excellent, or Honorable Mentions, as well as the following for Bryant High School:
General Excellence, Superior Rating - Hornet Media
All-Arkansas - Hornet Media
General Excellence, Excellent Rating - Prospective Online
General Excellence, Superior Rating - The Hornet
All-Arkansas - The Hornet
Best of ASPA Weekly News Show
Best of ASPA Monthly Magazine News Show
Best of ASPA News Story - Brooklyn Prince
Best of ASPA Newspaper Portrait - Ross Holloway
Best of ASPA Student Life Copy - Emily Oppenhuizen
Best of ASPA Student Life Photo - Destiny Mbuthia
Broadcast 1st Runner-up Producer of the Year - Nevaeh Robinson
Broadcast 2nd Runner-up Producer of the Year - Nick Gibbs
Newspaper 2nd Runner-up Writer of the Year - Deeya Rohant
Yearbook 1st Runner-up Editors of the Year - Layten Goudy, Ross Holloway and Nikki Womack
Carry-in News Package, 1st Place - Keira Evans, Mak Kirkley, Emry Pendergrass
On-site Literary Magazine Layout Design, 1st Place - Erin Taylor
On-site Newspaper Feature Writing, 1st Place - Deeya Rohant
On-site Literary Magazine Layout Design, 1st Place - Madden Holloway
Carry-in Photography Journalistic Work, 1st Place - Delaney Davis
Carry-in Photography Photo Story, 1st Place - Emily Whittaker
Carry-in Photography Theme Photo, 1st Place - Destiny Mbuthia
On-site Yearbook Sports Layout, 1st Place - Layten Goudy
On-site Yearbook Theme Development, 1st Place - Ross Holloway
