By: Elizabeth Cleary
Managing Editor
The Missouri College Media Association (MCMA) annual conference and awards ceremony was held in Springfield, Missouri, on April 11. Attendees included student-journalists and advisors from across Missouri. The conference consisted of educational sessions, workshops and keynote speakers. Students were also able to have their publications critiqued by experienced advisors and industry professionals.
Jazlyn Summers, senior at University of Missouri-Kansas City and editor-in-chief of Roo News, has attended MCMA for the past three years and has a distinctive perspective on the conference and its purpose.
“Making connections is always my goal when it comes to these big conventions with a lot of journalists that are around the same age as me,” Summers said. “I’ve just learned, since being a senior, one of the most important things in this field is having a lot of connections – and learning, of course, we can always learn more things.”
For many, MCMA is a time to network with fellow journalists. It is also a time to learn from the educational sessions and improve publications. Some of the sessions offered this year included a student-led panel on navigating newsroom positions, photoshop basics, advice from a first-year reporter and covering sports on campus and for a community.
“[The MCMA conference is] a day dedicated to learning, collaboration and celebration of student media across the state,” said a note that MCMA sent out to attendees. “This event continues to leave a lasting impression on our students for years to come.”
Summers feels that lasting impression, and she said that student-journalism is a passion of hers.
“I’ve always believed that telling the stories of the people is one of the most important and crucial things, especially in a time like right now. As students, you’re building a foundation of what it means to be a journalist,” Summers said. “I really encourage a lot of the people who are not as involved in their universities to just try getting involved in any kind of newspaper or broadcast, because it’s a really cool way to make a difference.”
At this year’s awards ceremony, The Montage was recognized with 33 awards, receiving first place wins for the Back-to-School Magazine, News Writing, Editorial Writing, Sports Writing, In-Depth Writing, Feature Photography, Design and The Montage website, in addition to staff and individual awards. The staff also received the Sweepstakes award for the most wins in Division Four.
“Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Missouri College Media Association’s 2026 competition,” read a Facebook post from MCMA. “Thank you all for coming.”
