UCA’s student-run newspaper, The Echo, was awarded Arkansas college newspaper of the year for the second year in a row, alongside reporter of the year, photographer of the year and website of the year at the 2023 Arkansas College Media Association conference.

Besides the four general excellence awards, members of The Echo staff racked up 75 awards for articles, photography, cartoons and page designs. 

Junior Madison Ogle, associate editor, was awarded photographer of the year for her work. 

“The afternoon after the ACMA ceremony, I jokingly told UCA’s university photographer, Seth Foley, that the Photographer of the Year award was half his.

“Any growth I’ve had since 2021 is thanks to a lot of encouragement and pushing from him. He’s helped me see the good moments in any event and has really worked with me on a lot of the technical aspects that come with using a camera.”

Ogle said she was proud of the Echo staff, “This group is tough and talented. I know from experience that enduring so many hours of work for The Echo doesn’t come without an incredible passion for journalistic quality.”

Senior Mia Waddell, editor-in-chief, was awarded reporter of the year, the second year in a row an Echo staff member has taken the honor. Senior Addison Freeman won in 2021 and is now working at Arkansas Business Publishing Group.

Waddell said she was surprised but thankful to past Echo staff members for their guidance. 

“It was a really big moment because I watched Addi accept the award last year and I didn’t know if I was capable of reaching her level.”

Waddell said Freeman, as well as The Echo’s fall 2021 editor-in-chief, senior Delaney Van Wilpe, are big inspirations for her. 

“Delaney is the reason I ever even began to look at myself as talented or worthy of praise or leadership. She’s never given me a compliment I didn’t deserve, and she’s never held back when I’ve done something to the least of my ability.”

As for newspaper of the year, “I work with the most talented student journalists in the state. They impress me and challenge me every single day. I am so proud, they are rock stars.”

In addition to the print accolades, The Echo was also awarded website of the year, with special thanks to fall 2022 online editor junior Emily Kennard and Van Wilpe.

Kennard said, “I loved seeing our team of passionate, talented journalists get honored with so many awards. It’s very deserved.”

Van Wilpe said she was glad to have worked with the staff and that it taught her new skills.

“I’m glad to have been a part of such a talented team. Although I had served in many different positions with The Echo, managing the website in spring 2022 was out of my comfort zone,” she said.

Faculty adviser for The Echo and president of the Arkansas College Media Association, David Keith, emceed the event. Keith did not judge any of the entries. Judges are out-of-state professional journalists and faculty. 

Keith said he was proud of his students’ work.

“The Echo staff shows its outstanding ability to report and write on any topic. These students are willing to take on any challenge and I am glad to see them recognized for their hard work. They put a lot of time into making The Echo a newspaper that has value in every issue. I am proud of what they have accomplished and know that they are set up to have great futures,” he said.