Several Wayne State College students earned awards from the Northern Plains Collegiate Media Association’s 2026 Golden Leaf Awards ceremony Saturday, March 28 at Concordia University in Seward.
Students who created video, audio, print and photographic journalism work through KWSC-TV, KWSC-FM and the Wayne Stater in 2025 were eligible to submit their work under several different categories in competition with seven other schools: Bethel College, Black Hills State University, Chadron State College, Concordia University-Nebraska, Doane University, Peru State College and University of Nebraska-Kearney.
First place awards went to Macey Peterworth for best breaking news photo, Ethan Bohnert for best multimedia story, the Wayne Stater staff for best overall website, Jennifer Juzyk for best audio news story, Travis Boock for best audio feature story, Jordan LeFave for best audio PSA and Hunter Sieler and Tori Olguin for best audio sports play-by-play announcing.
Second place awards went to Nate Bope for best sports feature; Taylor Sloger for best column, best audio news story and best video sports story; Macey Peterworth for best breaking news photo; Ethan Bohnert for best multimedia story and best audio feature story; Hunter Sieler, Tori Olguin and Maddie Ackerman for best audio sports pregame or postgame show; Parker Dunn for best audio PSA; Jordan Yates for best video news story and the KWSC-TV staff for best video PSA.
Third place awards went to Carson Schnitzler for best sports game story, Armando Alferez Jr. for best sports column, Edgar Campa for best breaking news story, David Little for best in-depth reporting, Alizabeth McDermott for best editorial, Alexys Baier-Sterling for best breaking news photo, the Wayne Stater staff for best house ad, the KWSC-FM staff for best social media presence, Hailey Walsh for best audio news story, Katryst Chari for best audio feature story and Elise Wolford for best video sports story.
Macey Peterworth, a senior majoring in journalism and minoring in editing and publishing, was one of several students who attended the event and won awards. Peterworth, also the arts and entertainment editor of the Wayne Stater, said she had a great time.
“I was already happy to be there, but winning two awards for best breaking news photo felt really rewarding after all the work I had put into my craft,” Peterworth said. “It also made me realize that even if you’re unsure of yourself, putting in your full effort is what gives your work the best chance to stand out.”
Dr. Sean Ahern, associate professor of communication arts and advisor to KWSC-FM, said the event was a great opportunity for students to network and self-realize what they can do as media professionals.
“It’s a reminder that what you’re doing isn’t being done in a vacuum, right?” Ahern said. “And awards are nice, but I think it’s important to see what other people are making to inspire you to get better.”
Pat Janssen, assistant professor of communication arts and advisor to both KWSC-TV and the Wayne Stater, said the growth of the students is apparent in the increase in awards over the past three years. Janssen is also the executive director of the NPCMA and said the competition this year was notable.
“This was by far the most competitive year across the board since I’ve been involved with NPCMA,” Janssen said. “I’m happy with as well as we did anyway, but to do so in a year with so many great entries is an added feather in the caps of our students.”
Janssen also noted the collaboration within the communications department.
“We had journalism students winning radio and TV awards; we had film students winning journalism awards; we had electronic media and sports students winning in multiple categories,” Janssen said. “That’s such a credit to my colleagues and all of our students.”
