Missouri Valley College students and faculty had much to celebrate after a strong showing at the annual Missouri College Media Association (MCMA) conference held on April 6 in Kansas City. 

The awards ceremony, which recognizes excellence in collegiate journalism across Missouri, saw Missouri Valley College earning 11 awards across multiple categories, highlighting the talent and hard work of its student journalists and their contribution to the field.

Kary Patron, Managing Editor of The Delta, took home nearly half of MVC’s awards, earning recognition five times during the ceremony. In Feature Writing, Patron received the first-place award for an article on the Lance family’s generous donation for comprehensive heart screenings at Missouri Valley. Patron’s work shed light on a significant community health initiative, showcasing the importance of local philanthropy in enhancing public welfare.

Patron also demonstrated versatility and journalistic prowess by securing second place in News Writing for an in-depth exploration of the challenges faced by student-athletes transitioning from the field to the classroom. This piece offered a critical look at the pressures and stresses associated with collegiate athletics, contributing significantly to the ongoing dialogue around student-athlete welfare.

Proving her versatility, Patron also received three awards in Sports Writing. Patron received the second-place award for an article about MVC Soccer’s Heart of America conference championship and was given honorable mentions for articles about MVC cheer and the retirement of long-time football coach Paul Troth. 

Senior Ty Pope excelled in opinion writing, claiming the top spot in both the Editorial Writing and Sports Column categories. Pope’s editorial winner was a compelling piece advocating for increased waterfowling opportunities in Missouri. For his Sports Column, Pope advocated for bull riders to wear helmets.

The News Photography category saw Temo Olvera earning a second-place award for his photographs capturing the convocation ceremony marking the installation of Missouri Valley’s 14th President Joe Parisi. 

Missouri Valley College’s video journalism also received high praise, with KMVC Staff sweeping first, second and third place in the Video category. This award underscores the college’s commitment to embracing multimedia storytelling and adapting to the evolving landscape of journalism.

Overall, Missouri Valley College’s impressive haul at the MCMA conference not only showcases the high caliber of its journalism program but also highlights the dedication of its students and faculty to fostering a culture of excellence and professionalism in media. These awards are a tribute to their relentless pursuit of journalistic integrity, creativity, and impact.