Southeastern student reporters earn honors in the Louisiana Press Association Better Newspaper Competition

The student staff of The Lion’s Roar, Southeastern Louisiana University’s student-run newspaper, garnered six awards in June from the Louisiana Press Association’s Better Newspaper Competition. Awards are presented annually during the LPA annual convention, but due to the current global health crisis, the organization decided to cancel the awards presentation this year.
     The Lion’s Roar staff received awards for Best Overall Website and General Excellence, placing second in both categories. Thirty-nine LPA member publications, including college and university student newspapers, submitted 1,138 entries judged by the Nebraska Press Association.
     Individual staff members receiving recognition include Symiah Dorsey, a communication sophomore from La Place, and Maiah Woodring, a biological science junior from Albany. Dorsey placed second in the Best Single Editorial category for her piece titled “Dorm residents need community kitchens,” while Woodring received a third place prize in the same category for her piece titled “Living without a phone, my life hack.”
     “Being a student journalist is a gift that continues to give. There is not a single story I have written that I have not gained new knowledge or perspective from, and that is the beauty of being a reporter,” said Dorsey. “Being a part of The Lion’s Roar family is a blessing. Together, we create a platform that calls for greater tolerance and a deeper understanding of people in our community. Upon rereading my editorial on community kitchens, I realize how much I have grown. There is nothing I want more now than to continue growing while I challenge myself. Each story is a chance to become a better voice for those around me.”
     “It is a great honor for The Lion’s Roar newspaper to receive these awards from the Louisiana Press Association,” said Editor in Chief of The Lion’s Roar Prakriti Adhikari, a senior accounting major from Hammond. “We have a team of dedicated staff who strive to do their job in the best way possible, and receiving these awards shows that working hard is always worth it. I am very proud of the entire staff for the recognition of our hard work and dedication.”
     Adhikari acknowledged The Lion’s Roar and its shift to remote work during the latter months of the spring 2020 semester and the summer 2020 term. The dedicated staff continued to offer news and information to the Southeastern community, she said.
     “This is a moment for all of us to be very proud,” Adhikari continued. “Despite going through a challenging time last semester after shifting to remote work, we were able to produce our weekly content. We are being rewarded for the quality content we have been able to produce. These awards are further proof that when we come together as a group and help each other succeed, we can achieve a lot.”
     Other awards received by The Lion’s Roar were first place in the Best Sports Photo category, awarded to former staff reporter Hailey Bullock of Albany, and second place in the Best Front Page category awarded to Annie Goodman of Denham Springs, former editor in chief of The Lion’s Roar.
     “Our talented student editors and reporters serve our campus community in innumerable ways,” said Dr. Lee E. Lind, director of Student Publications. “I’m so very proud of the well-deserved recognition they have earned.”
     Readers can access content produced by student staff reporters through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @lionsroarnews, issuu.com, and via the newspaper’s website, lionsroarnews.com.