Truman Broadcasters Win Awards at MBEA Convention

News 36 and KTRM broadcast students won the most first place awards at the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association Conference March 31.

Professionals from the Missouri Broadcasters Association (MBEA) judged the students' work in radio and television production categories ranging from news and sports to music video and radio aircheck to script writing. Truman student broadcasters competed against universities throughout the state including schools with stations in the top 100 markets in the nation. Truman won seven first place awards and two second place awards. Missouri State took away six first place honors; Evangel and Central Missouri State University each won five.

Kelly Kasparie, a senior communication major from Quincy, Ill., won the most individual awards of any student entered in the competition. She garnered first place in both television news package for coverage of the Highway 63 Opening and news promo for the News 36 promo, along with a second place in commercial/promotional/PSA script for the television spot for KTRM 88.7 The Edge.

Jill Kasparie, a senior communication major from Quincy, Ill., also won first place in television news package, as well as first place in commercial/promotional/PSA script for her television PSA on healthy aging produced in collaboration with ATSU.

Brian Schmittgens, a junior communication and pre-elementary education double major from Imperial, Mo., won first place in television commercial for his spot promoting the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series.

Krystal Miller, a senior communication major from O'Fallon, Mo., won first place in audio PSA for her radio PSA for PALS. A PSA by Kelly Wikstrom, a senior communication major from Sedalia, Mo., took second.

April Owens, a senior communication major from Belton, Mo., and Karen Schwartztrauber, a senior communication and art double major from Colfax, Iowa, won first place in video documentary for "The Soldier Next Door" which featured personnel from Truman's ROTC.

Abbagail Whiteley, a senior communication major from Kirksville, won first place in audio documentary for her piece on Red Cross Blood Drives.

The professional Missouri Broadcasters Association will also recognize these winners at their conference in June.

Fifteen students represented Truman at the conference. These included Brian Bourne, a senior communication major from Antioch, Ill.; Keri Esmar, a senior communication major from St. Charles, Mo.; Josh Fenton, a junior communication major from Troutdale, Ore.; Kyle Hill, a junior history and pre-secondary education double major from Kansas City, Mo.; Jill Kasparie; Kelly Kasparie; Miller; Owens; Courtney Rakers, a senior communication major from Imperial, Mo.; Andrew Richmond, a sophomore pre-business administration major from West Des Moines, Iowa; Dawn Runge, a junior communication and pre-business administration double major from Florissant, Mo.; Schmittgens; John Weeks, a senior communication major from Chesterfield, Mo.; Whiteley; and Wikstrom.

Eric Maze, Truman alumnus and the current news director of KRGC-TV in Jefferson City, Mo., led a panel on "Breaking Into the TV News Business." Media professionals from all areas of broadcast throughout the state led panels discussing student media operations and professional development.

Elizabeth Clark, associate professor of communication and adviser of News 36, and Mark Smith, assistant professor of communication and adviser of KTRM, are both past presidents of the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association.