The LLCC student newspaper, The Lamp, won 19 journalism awards, including six first-place awards, in the statewide Awards for Excellence in Illinois Community College Newspapers competition. The awards were presented April 12 during the Illinois Community College Journalism Association (ICCJA) conference held in Utica, Illinois.

First-place awards included: story of the year for Kallie Cox, Meredith Howard and Zach Aiello; single news story and staff editorial for Cox; feature writing for Emily Smarjesse; sports feature writing for Noah Branson; and page design for Niko Robledo.

Howard was also awarded a $500 scholarship, which was based on a personal essay, advisor recommendation and portfolio of her work. She serves as The Lamp’s editor-in-chief.

“Six first-place awards are amazing. We had an awesome year. Nineteen awards are the most we have won in the five years I have been advising the newspaper. We had an incredible group of students who spent lots of time encouraging one another and doing great journalism,” said Tim McKenzie, LLCC professor of journalism and humanities, advisor of The Lamp and newly elected vice president of the ICCJA.

Read about the additional awards.