Winning five first place awards at the Louisiana Press Association competition, The Lion’s Roar took the top spot for General Excellence among collegiate newspapers. The Southeastern newspaper beat in-state schools such as Northwestern State, McNeese State and Nicholls State.

“I am constantly impressed with the high level of accomplishments by our student journalists,” stated Director of Student Publications Lee E. Lind in an Office of Public Information press release. “They work many long hours to bring relevant information to this community in engaging and interesting ways.”

The General Excellence category was based on an evaluation of several issues published over the last year, which were under the guidance of former student Editors-in-Chief Tracy Valentine and Wade Kerr. The Lion’s Roar competed in the classification of Student Newspaper Publications, which was judged by the Florida Press Association.

Also included in the awards earned by the newspaper were first and second places in Best News Story or News Feature by the former Arts & Entertainment Editor Davana Wilkins and former staff reporter Kris Leichtenberg, respectively.

Current Editor-in-Chief Don Aime won first place for Best Sports Story or Feature, and first place for Best General News or Feature Photo went to former Le Souvenir Editor and Photo Editor Ally O’Keefe. Aime and O’Keefe won first and second places for Best Sports Photo, respectively.

“It is an honor to represent the university in a manner befitting excellence,” said Aime. “It is very rewarding not only to serve the university, but our readers as well. This award is for them, the readers.”

Current Le Souvenir Editor Patrick Costilow garnered second-place awards in Most Effective Use of Graphics on a Single Page and Staff Generated Black and White ½ Page and Under categories.

“I am grateful that I can be recognized for my work,” said Costilow. “The department gives us the freedom to explore new ways of presenting content in our publications, which I believe makes our paper unique throughout campus and the surrounding community.”