MSPR students win state AP awards

Two Morehead State Public Radio students have been recognized for their work in the newsroom as they received top honors in the annual Kentucky Associated Press Awards.

“We are very proud of each one,” said MSPR News Director Chuck Mraz. “We demand a lot out of the students who work here, but their hard work pays off in moments like these.”

Tanner Hesterberg, Morehead sophomore, captured first place for “Best Sports Reporting” and an honorable mention for “Best Political Coverage.”

Shayla Menville, Morehead senior, was part of the team which included Dan Conti, assistant news director, and Hesterberg, that won “Best Newscast” for Mountain Edition.

MSPR also won “Best Web Site.” Greg Jenkins, operations director, is the webmaster.

Mraz finished second for “Best Sports Reporting” and “Best Newscast” and received an honorable mentioned for “Best Radio Anchor.”

Former MSPR workstudy and MSU alumnus Stephanie (Sanders) Crosby earned first place for “Best Sports Reporting” and second place for “Best Hard News Feature.” Crosby works for WFPL in Louisville.

MSU graduate Amber Philpott earned second place in “Best TV News Anchor.” Philpott works for WKYT-TV in Lexington.

“I’m very proud of our news staff,” said Paul Hitchcock, general manager of MSPR. “Competing against professionals from across Kentucky, these are very high honors for our full time staff and students. It’s just another example of our commitment to quality at MSPR.”

Morehead State Public Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day from the campus of Morehead State University. WMKY (90.3 FM) serves as the flagship station for the MSPR network, which includes WOCS (88.3 FM) in Booneville and a translator (88.3 FM) in Inez. MSPR serves more than 40 counties in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia.

Additional information is available by calling MSPR at (800) 286-9659 or (606) 783-2001; or log on to MSPR’s Web site at www.msuradio.com.

Posted: 4-9-10