For the third year in a row, the UNK Antelope submitted entries into the Golden Leaf Awards, a regional collegiate journalism contest that recognizes writers, photographers and designers for their contributions to college newspapers. Altogether, Antelope staffers won 36 awards. 

This year, UNK Journalism and Mass Communications students finished first place in 17 categories in radio, video, design and print.

“The awards our students won are a testament to the program we offer in the Department of Communication,” said Rob Breeding, faculty adviser to The Antelope. “We have students moving across platforms, producing quality content in print, video and radio. Many of those students wouldn’t get a whiff until they are seniors at a larger school, but the bulk of the winners for the newspaper were sophomores and juniors.” 

The Antelope newspaper collectively earned four first place awards. Invidividual staff members brought home a total of 13 awards.

During the 2020-21 school year, Mackenzie Krumland served as editor-in-chief, Grace McDonald as managing editor, Mitchell Lierman as news editor, Mariah Watson as advertising manager, Owen Bridges as website editor, Cassie Brown as photography editor, Ryan Range as video editor and Avery Dutton as circulation manager. 

The Department of Communication students demonstrated hard work to win these awards. 

“First and foremost, I just enjoy seeing how excited the students get when their organization wins something,” said Jacob Rosdail, associate professor and Video at the Antelope instructor. “Hopefully, that excitement becomes contagious and helps engage other students who maybe put the class time, but don’t get too heavily involved with The Antelope or the news show.”

Staff sssisting student media are senior lecturer and KLPR 91.1 general manager Ford Clark as well as advertising adviser Michelle Widger. Breeding became the adviser for the UNK newspaper in 2018. He is also the executive director of the Northern Plains Collegiate Media Association. 

During the 2021-22 school year, McDonald will serve as the editor-in-chief, Lierman as executive editor, Krumland as managing editor, Brown as entertainment editor, Bridges as web manager and Range as the director of video. Watson  and Dutton will continue in their roles as advertising manager and circulation manager, respectively.