By Sydney Joa
 Staff Writer

Western’s Journal and its staff took awards in multiple categories in the 2015 Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association Collegiate Contest.

Having not received any awards since the 2011 contest, the announcement of nominations was an exciting time for the members of The Journal team.

“I am very proud of all of the staff who work hard to produce such a quality paper; it’s a privilege to get to work with them week by week,” said Dr. Meg Artman, student media adviser.

The contest awards Oregon’s collegiate newspapers in a multitude of different categories including those for specific articles, and some for whole issues and volumes of the paper.

There are three separate groups of categories for schools within the contest; The Journal competed in group two, which consists of four-year colleges and universities with non-daily newspapers. Universities all throughout Oregon compete, as this is the only collegiate newspaper competition of its kind in Oregon.

The Journal was honored with first place in the Best Special Section category for its special issue on sexual assault awareness, published Oct. 31, 2014. The Special Section award looks at not only content, but also layout and general look of the paper.

The issue included information on sexual assault compiled and written by Laura Knudson. It also included an anonymous personal account transcribed by Allison Opson-Clement, and an article by Jennifer Halley detailing Take Back the Night, a sexual and domestic violence awareness event. Shannen Brouner contributed all the photos, and Haunani Tomas designed the issue.

“This award was judged on many things and many people helped make it possible,” said Knudson, a senior communication studies major. “The award is such an accomplishment because so many people put forth tremendous effort to make it happen.”

Another writer taking first was Tomas, winning the highest honors in the Best Sports Story category for a piece highlighting a double overtime game won by Western’s men’s basketball with a buzzer beater.

The graphic for the story, also designed by Tomas, won third place honors for Best Graphic.

“I wanted to cover how well our basketball team was performing and write something that highlighted a moment in their season. They deserved it,” said Tomas, a senior business major.

Another first place win was taken by Knudson in the Best Writing category. Her articles on gluten and gluten-free lifestyles, a feature on the Three Legged Dog Pub in Independence, and a news story on divestment of alumni funds at Western helped secure her highest honors.

A third place award went to Knudson’s story on the new pub in Independence. This was awarded in the Best Feature Story category.

The Journal also received awards for the news section. News Editor Jack Armstrong’s story on a Western alumna who was jailed in Japan for shipping herself prescription medication took second place in the Best News Story category.

The Journal plans to enter additional national collegiate newspaper competitions soon.

Copies of The Journal are widely available across campus as well as at local businesses in the Monmouth-Independence area.