Category 31: Janet Nellis Mendler Student Journalist of the year

Division I winner

Misty Barron
delta COLLEGE

Judge Comments: 

This was by far the most difficult category to judge. Every entry provided a persuasive, impassioned argument for that organization’s staff member. After deliberation, one entry stood out due to the student’s breadth of experience and the impressive variety of skills she uses as a newsroom leader.

Misty Barron took on the role of essentially reviving The Collegiate’s print edition after COVID, though she had no formal practical or technical design training. Through that work her advisor Crystal McMorris says Misty grew into a newsroom leader – through her production skills, through her writing, through her coverage ideation and all while advocating for readers. This is truly a journalist who impacts the Collegiate at every level – from writing the breaking news coverage of Lt. Garlin Gilchrist’s visit to Delta to designing infographics as well as acting as the organization’s AP Style guru. 

Her impact on the Collegiate during her tenure is undeniable. For her work this year, Misty Barron is Janet Nellis Mendler Student Journalist of the Year.