MCKEESPORT, Pa. — Three Penn State Greater Allegheny students were named finalists of the 2020 Tri-State Golden Quill Awards for Excellence in Journalism, Media and Communications in Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and Northern West Virginia. Troy Ferguson, Riley Perciavalle, and Katarina Shields were selected for opinion pieces they wrote and produced for The GA-ZETTE, Greater Allegheny’s student campus newspaper.
Ferguson, a senior communications major from West Mifflin, wrote, “Self-Care…We Care!” while Perciavalle, a junior communications major from McKeesport penned “My Holiday Apocalypse.” Shields, a junior information sciences and technology major from Pittsburgh assisted both authors with their stories’ design. She serves as the production and design manager for The GA-ZETTE.
In its first year of operation, The GA-ZETTE staff has produced two print editions while actively maintaining a digital news platform. Staff members have reported on a number of campus initiatives and successes including the ribbon cutting at the Penn State-McKeesport Center Mon-Valley Launch Box, the Women’s Volleyball team’s national championship run, and the arrival of bees for Greater Allegheny’s newly established apiary.
Rosemary Martinelli, lecturer in marketing and communications, serves as faculty adviser to the newspaper.
"Someone once said that if you do not win, it is always an honor to just be nominated for an award,” shared Martinelli. “There is no greater truth to that than for the students on The GA-ZETTE editorial team, who were literally floored when they heard the news. In our inaugural year, out-of-town professionals are recognizing their work and their dedication to collegiate journalism. That alone is priceless and the true honor."
In its 56th year, the Golden Quill awards are selected by the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania and recognize excellence in print, written, broadcast, photographic, video and digital journalism and communications. Winners will be announced during an awards dinner, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 3.