Mercer University’s student newspaper, The Cluster, won nine awards, including one first-place prize, at this year’s virtual Georgia College Press Association Better Newspaper Contest, held Feb. 19.
The Cluster competes in a division that includes the state’s largest college newspapers, including the University of Georgia’s Red & Black, Georgia Institute of Technology’s Technique and Georgia State University’s The Signal.
Editor-in-Chief Emily Rose Thorne, a senior, won first place in the Best News Article – Objective category for reporting on bullying that bisexual students face at Mercer and other Georgia universities.
Managing Editor Mary Helene Hall, a sophomore, won three awards, including second place in Best Photo – Editorial/Feature for a cover image of the Jesse Mercer statue on campus wearing a face mask; third place in Best Photo – Sports for a photo of the Mercer men’s basketball team in action against the Samford Bulldogs; and third place in Best News Article – Objective for coverage of LGBTQIA+ professors at Mercer.
Lifestyle and Opinion Editor Chance Allen, a junior, won second place in Best Photo – News for an image of Joe Biden posing with a student during the 2020 Iowa caucuses.
Sophomores Kaitlyn Fowler and Lars Lonnroth won second place in Best News Article – Investigative for reporting on the financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Mercer.
Lead Lifestyle and Opinion Writer Natalie Yeager, a junior, won third place in Best Feature Story for an article about Mercer professors’ romantic relationships.
Layout Editor and Social Media Co-Manager Jen Jones, a junior, won third place in Best Photo – Sports for an image from this year’s Homecoming football game.
Sports Editor Micah Johnston, a junior, won third place in Best Sports Article.
