YSU’s The Jambar and student journalists earn top honors at statewide ONMA Awards

Youngstown State University’s student newspaper, The Jambar, and journalists from the Department of Strategic Communication & Media collected multiple awards at the Ohio News Media Association (ONMA) Fellowship Day in Columbus, Ohio, on March 26.

Competing in Category A—a division that includes Ohio’s largest institutions—YSU students took home awards in five of the 10 competitive categories. The awards recognize excellence across several categories, including collegiate news and sports coverage, photojournalism, arts and entertainment reporting, design, and headline writing.

“Competing in Category A means our students are going head-to-head with the largest journalism programs in Ohio,” said Adam Earnheardt, student media advisor. “These awards are a testament to the hard work, professional standards, and dedication of our student staff. We are incredibly proud to see their storytelling and technical skills recognized on a state level.”

The Jambar staff and individual students were honored with the following awards:

• First Place, Sports Coverage: The Jambar Staff, for writing in an active voice, that made readers feel as though they were at the game.
• First Place, Arts & Entertainment: Scout Nicholson, recognized for her in-depth music reviews.
• Second Place, Design: The Jambar, specifically for the overall design and flow of the newspaper.
• Second Place, Headline Writing: The Jambar Staff, for clever, eye-catching headlines that made the reader want to know more (note: The Jambar’s second place headline was March 13, 2025’s story, “Penguins still in Wright State of mind after loss”)
• Third Place, Photojournalism: Alex Sorrells for his images that added important context to the stories they accompanied.

The ONMA’s collegiate competition is designed to honor the best in student journalism across Ohio. This year’s wins for The Jambar highlight the program's continued strength in both traditional reporting and visual communication.

About the Ohio News Media Association:
The ONMA, established in 1933, is a statewide trade association representing Ohio’s daily and weekly newspapers. The association provides member services including government relations, legal support, and professional training, while also fostering the next generation of journalists through its collegiate awards and fellowship programs.

About The Jambar:
The Jambar is the student-run newspaper of Youngstown State University, housed within the Department of Strategic Communication & Media. It has served as the campus’s primary news source for over a century, providing students with hands-on experience in reporting, editing, design, and digital media.