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The Houghton Star Receives 1st Place Journalism Award
HOUGHTON, N.Y. – To write is more than simply putting pen to paper – or perhaps fingertip to keyboard. Writing has the ability to evoke passionate discussion and emotions – especially as part of a student newspaper within the editorial style. When student journalists are able to communicate in this medium – their efforts are rewarded, not only with campus reaction but also by professional recognition. The Houghton Star has achieved this balance and was recently recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) as a finalist for a Region 1 Mark of Excellence Award For Editorial Writing at a 4-year College/University. During the April 9, 2010 ceremony held in New York City, SPJ awarded The Houghton Star 1st place overall within this category.
The SPJ is the “nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.” [www.spj.org/aboutsjp.asp] With more than 250 chapters nationally, Region 1 specifically represents the colleges located in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Central/Eastern Pa., Rhode Island and Vermont.
“When I first found out that the Star was named as a finalist in the editorial category – I was excited and then suspicious – could this be legitimate?” questioned Joel VanderWeele ’10, editor of The Houghton Star. “I was then proud. We have striven all year to make the Star a legitimate source of information and to build upon what prior staffs of the paper had created. This award is a culmination of all our efforts.”
Recognition for editorial writing is especially gratifying to the staff of the Star. “Editorial writing needs to be strong. It should raise questions about the standard way to look at an issue and make the readership think and discuss – whether they agree with the viewpoint presented or not,” states VanderWeele.
For this particular competition, the Star submitted three editorials for their entry. “A Realistic Approach to Diversity at Houghton” [Katarina Kieffer, February 13, 2009]; “Reflections on a Recommendation” [Joel VanderWeele, October 7, 2009], and “Why the Houghton Bike Share Program was Dead on Arrival” [Amy Buckingham, October 23, 2009]. “It was important for us to enter this competition,” states VanderWeele. “We want to hold the paper to a professional standard with a code of ethics. It is an important benchmark as we move forward and continue to improve.”
One of the key objectives the Star hopes to achieve through their writing is to be a source for student thought. “I would like to think that the paper has a positive impact on the Houghton community. We are trying to fulfill the role of a journalistic newspaper, although it is admittedly sometimes tough getting people on campus to accept that notion,” says VanderWeele. “The staff enjoys the challenge – the important thing for all of us is that we want to contribute to the community.”
The recognition given by SPJ simply encourages the staff of The Houghton Star to keep pressing forward – to challenge themselves and the community. “Part of our role is to be the voice of the students,” VanderWeele remarks. “If you think a question has to be asked – you have to ask it. I believe our staff does a very good job of asking the tough question and I am so appreciative of their support in my role as editor.”
The Houghton Star is a weekly publication made available to the Houghton community on Friday mornings. The paper can also be viewed online (with the opportunity for readers to post their comments directly online) by visiting www.houghtonstar.com.
