Texas Press Organizations Award High Honors to The Baylor Lariat

by Lauren Venegas, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
The Baylor Lariat, the Baylor University student newspaper recently has been named "Best Student Newspaper" by the Houston Press Club and was awarded second place in the 2008 Newspaper of the Year category from the Associated Press Managing Editors (APME) Association of Texas.
Texas APME fosters the highest standards in journalism through professional development and support of student journalists. Consisting of news leaders from throughout the state, the TAPME offers a unique resource for Texas journalism.
"The Texas APME contest is highly competitive, with the state's top collegiate journalists vying for recognition," said Julie Freeman, director of student publications at Baylor. "Placing second in the state affirms that our students' long hours and great dedication are paying off, and it proves that Baylor is in the business of producing top-quality journalists."
This award reflects coverage for 2007, which was directed by Lariat editors Kelly Coleman in the spring and Grace Maalouf in the fall.
"It's an honor because we're being judged against every other college paper in the state, and to come in second place with our relatively small staff is a great achievement and a testament to everyone's dedication," said Maalouf. She also said that winning the 2007 best student newspaper in the state by the Houston Press Club has been a great honor as well.
The Houston Press Club's Lone Star Awards are Texas' only statewide press club-sponsored journalism and communications contest. The Baylor Lariat received awards in all three student categories.
The awards included:
? Best Student Newspaper -- First Place: Baylor Lariat, Baylor University, Waco
? Student News, Sports or Feature Photo -- First Place: "Missouri Thriller," David Poe
? Student News, Sports, Feature -- Second Place: "BU Had Role in Dembski Return," Brad Briggs and Grace Maalouf
"An award like this shows that we're doing something right," said Coleman. "It's a combination of a great journalism department, awesome reporting and writing teachers, excellent advisers and students who desire to be the best and produce a professional paper."

The Baylor Lariat publishes four issues a week, Tuesday through Friday, and is owned by Baylor University and overseen by the Student Publications Board.