The Vidette received a total of 13 awards at the 2023 Illinois College Press Association (ICPA) competition. Consisting of 30 different categories for submissions, Managing Editor Kevin Capie submitted multiple high-quality pieces to the ICPA’s contest this year.
The talented staff of The Vidette produces stories year-round, covering the latest news to keep Illinois State students and the Town of Normal up to date on the most recent stories, trends, and other newsworthy events. The Vidette is an online news organization run by the students of Illinois State University. Starting in 1888, The Vidette has been a voice for students for 134 years, shaping young editors and reporters throughout their time at Illinois State.
The ICPA competition is an opportunity for young editors and reporters throughout Illinois to gain recognition for their work as collegiate journalists. With submissions due the first week of December 2022, the panel of judges had plenty of time to evaluate every submission before announcing the first-, second-, and third-place winners of each category during the ICPA’s annual convention in Chicago on February 18.
Among the 13 awards The Vidette received, a majority were for photos or sports pieces, and sometimes both. Capie confirms that this outcome is typical, but the quality of any piece is equally as important as the content itself. The panel of judges seeks submissions that highlight the efforts made to match the quality of the work to the content itself.
Along with the individuals who received awards for their outstanding work, the staff of The Vidette took third place in the “General Excellence–Web” category of the competition.
Starting their freshman year, students interested in mass media or journalism can begin working at The Vidette to gain experience in the field. “We look for people with a desire to report,” Capie said. As a student-run organization, student editors get to select the stories they cover and decide what will be featured. Capie explained, “It’s beneficial to be a part of this organization because it gives students a real-world experience in a safe environment, and they don’t have to be afraid of trying new things.”
The accomplishments of the students at The Vidette will aid them in their search for jobs in the future, having firsthand experience in cultivating and reporting newsworthy stories. The stories published and awards won during a student’s time at The Vidette can help build an impressive resume and portfolio for potential future employers. “Working here is a good way to show future employers these students have done the work and know what makes a good story,” Capie said.
Capie started as The Vidette’s managing editor in August 2022. “I look forward to seeing students grow and progress throughout their years at ISU,” Capie said.
The complete list of awards won by The Vidette and its staff won this year include:
- Podcast Entertainment and Culture
- Sports Photo
- Sports News Story
- Sports Game Story
- Feature Photo
- Spot News Photo
- Multimedia Reporting
- Podcast-Sports
- General Excellence-Web
- In-depth Reporting
- Photo-Essay
- Feature Photo
