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October 11, 2021

Kentucky Kernel, Staffers Selected as Pacemaker Finalists

By Mariah Kendell

Sports Game/Action photo finalist "Volleyball vs Ol Miss" photo by Jack Weaver.

Sports Game/Action photo finalist "Volleyball vs Ol Miss" photo by Jack Weaver.

The University of Kentucky’s independent student newspaper, the Kentucky Kernel, has been selected as a Pacemaker finalist in the prestigious Associated Collegiate Press Competition.

Often referred to as “the Pulitzer Prize of student journalism,” the National Pacemaker Award is the highest honor in collegiate journalism. Each year, the Associate Collegiate Press recognizes the finest broadcast, magazine, online, newspaper and yearbook publications.

“The students from the Kernel and KRNL have made a very fine showing with this many national finalists,” Kentucky Kernel Advisor Ryan Craig said. “The UK community should be proud of all of the students who work hard in what I feel are two of the best collegiate publications in the nation. I wish them all the best in the upcoming national Pacemaker competition.”

Additionally, 12 Kentucky Kernel and KRNL staffers have been announced as finalists for individual awards.

Kendall Boron

  • Magazine Page/Spread finalist, “Back to Their Roots” and “Rewind To Nostalgia”

Michael Clubb

  • Sports Game/Action Photo finalist, “NC State Bowl Game vs. Kentucky”
  • Sports Feature Photo finalist, “NCAA Volleyball National Championship”

Sydney Hill

  • Multimedia Sports Story finalist, “Homefield”

Isaac Janseen

  • Environmental Portrait finalist, “Skater Park”

Martha McHaney

  • News/Breaking News Photo finalist, “Honoring those lost to COVID-19”

Kennedy Miller

  • Multimedia Feature Story finalist, “The Little Things”

Natalie Parks

  • Informational Graphic finalist, “Then to Now
  • Breaking News Story finalist, “Infamy is just as good as fame: UK student among crowd that mobbed Capitol building”
  • Sports Game Story finalist, “Historic volleyball run driven by confidence and trust”
  • COVID Online: News or Features finalist, “It’s here: UK HealthCare receives, begins first COVID-19 vaccinations”

Natalie Parks, Sarah Michels, Gillian Stawiszynski

  • Editorial finalist, “The battle is (kind of) over. It shouldn’t have had to be fought.”

Akhira Umar

Jack Weaver

  • News/Breaking News Photo finalist, “Vaccine Clinic”
  • Sports Game/Action Photo finalist, “Volleyball vs. Ole Miss”

Justin Williams

The winners will be announced at 6.p.m EDT Thursday, Oct. 14, during Associate Collegiate Press’ virtual Fall National College Media Convention.

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