Voice awarded top honor from state press group

Former Voice deputy editor Jordan Scenna was named best writer by the Michigan Press Association. Voice file photo

By The Washtenaw Voice

The Washtenaw Voice has been named best two-year college paper in the state by the Michigan Press Association. The recognition came as the professional journalism organization announced the winners of its annual news contest on March 16.

In all, the Voice won seven MPA awards including first-places for best writer, investigative reporting, news story and feature story. Voice students won second for sports column and front page design.

Former Voice deputy editor Jordan Scenna won first place in investigative journalism for his story “21st century terrorism,” a look at school safety and mental-health following the Oxford High School mass shooting. He also took first in feature story for “From homeless to high honors” and was named best writer. The best writer award is judged on three examples representing a variety of writing styles and subjects.

Voice alum Elinor Epperson won first in the news story category for her report on Afghan refugees resettling in Washtenaw County after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Her feature story on bee keeping took third in feature story.

Former Voice editor RJ Hunt won second in the sports column category for a piece on Superbowl Sunday, and Monday. Former graphic designer Janani Murugesan won second on front page design.

Held in conjunction with MPA’s professional competition, the college contest encourages good journalism. The University of Michigan Michigan’s Daily won first among four-year college papers that publish more than once a week. Michigan State’s The State News, took the top honor among four-year college papers publishing weekly.

Entries in the contest were published between Aug. 1, 2021 and July 31, 2022.