NEWS
Tech Talk, SPEAK students win press awards
Louisiana Tech University students and one faculty member received a plethora of awards from the National Federation of Press Women’s At-Large contest.
Those who placed first will compete at the national level.
Students who received awards worked for either “The Tech Talk,” the student-run newspaper at Louisiana Tech University, or for SPEAK magazine, a Louisiana Tech publication.
“Congratulations are in order for journalism students and staff for their exemplary performance in the National Federation of Press Women¹s At-Large contest,” said Dr. Reginald Owens, the F. Jay Taylor endowed chair of journalism. “This is a testament to the hard work including the dedication to task and the long hours that it takes to produce quality award-winning work. There is a lot of sacrifice here. Please note: This is just one such contest out of six where our students have won scores of top awards.”
Students who received awards were:
![The Tech Talk Flag](https://www.latech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/The-Tech-Talk-Flag.jpg)
- Rebekah Barnes, a political science major from Dubach — 1st place in news writing;
- Brian Blakely, a senior math major from Slidell — 1st place, photography;
- Devin Dronett, a senior communication design major from Lake Charles — 1st place in layout, 2nd place in photography and 3rd place in photography;
- John Sadler, a senior journalism major from Extension – 1st place, opinion/editorial/reviews;
- Matt Valcho, a senior communication major from Benton — 1st place, feature writing;
- Kailee Courts, a senior modern languages major from Jennings— 2nd place, news writing;
- Rosalynne Fluty, a senior communication design major from Ruston — 2nd place in layout and design;
- Michael Hoge, a junior journalism major from Hensley, Arkansas — 2nd place, opinion/editorial/reviews;
- Frededreia Willis, a junior journalism major from Lake Providence, 2nd place, features writing;
- Rachel Maxwell, a junior communication major from Benton — 3rd place, feature writing; and
- Cody Sexton, a 2015 journalism graduate from Newport, Arkansas — honorable mention, feature writing.