Two Central Methodist University students were recently recognized for first place awards by the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA) for its annual Media Awards competition, and also the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association (MBEA) College Media Awards Competition.
Competing against professional broadcasters, Tori Brown, a freshman pre-major from Mount Vernon, and Keona Smith, a junior communication studies major from Columbia, were awarded first place in MSTA’s competition for “Year-Round School,” in the Radio Editorials category.
Nominations are judged on originality, impact, objectivity, timeliness, appeal, and contribution to education, according to an MSTA news release.
For the MBEA competition, Brown also won first place in the “Dramatic Audio” category for “Harold & Vivian Comedy Skit,” and Smith took first in the “News Show Audio” category for a “Dec. 11, 2017 Newscast” submission.
Central media students are doing great things as opportunities continue to broaden, according to Dr. Kristin L. Cherry, associate professor of communication at CMU. Students in CMU’s Media Convergence class completed a professional-level, media sales module and received their sales certificates. According to Cherry, this is the same training completed by media professionals employed at broadcasting stations. The course is sponsored and paid for by the Missouri Broadcasters Association (MBA).
“We are so blessed to have these opportunities, as it makes our graduates more marketable when they go out and seek employment,” Cherry said. “CMU students have worked very hard to obtain skills sought by employers, and have been recognized statewide for their creativity and dedication. I’m very proud.”