Congratulations to Katelyn Hunsberger, The Arrowhead Photo Editor, for being awarded – for the second year in a row – the State Journalism Champion in the Newspaper Photography category of the Student Journalism Competition for the Pennsylvania School Press Association. Katelyn competed against other student photojournalists from across the commonwealth at Penn State University on March 30 after placing in the competition at the regional level.
Below are the state-winning photographs Hunsberger took and their coordinating captions that she wrote during the competition that secured her win.
Unique Angle Shot
The 53rd Nittany Lion, Michael McDermott, eagerly answers questions beside Isabella Leahy, an executive producer and reporter for Centre County Report, regarding his mascot career starting in 2020. “I had zero interest in becoming the Nittany Lion; I was focused on other things,” said McDermott on what his mindset was like before he was afforded this opportunity. He said that his high school “never really had a mascot” but when he met with former Nittany Lion Zach Sowa, everything changed.
Framing Shot
A student takes a break in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications building, located on Penn State’s main campus. The center was a gift from Donald P. Bellisario and is one of five the largest single gifts ever made to Penn State. The building has three floors full of state-of-the-art equipment for communication majors to utilize, such as a newsroom equipped with a full set of broadcasting equipment.
Unique Lighting
Unique lighting greets guests when they walk through the doors of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications. The building’s architecture includes little to no curves. “The new three-story atrium within the existing U-shaped footprint, connects all departments horizontally and vertically, deliberately increasing transparency and visibility across classes and departments,” according to the website Studios, an organization that focuses on architecture features.
BMC Celebrating the Lines Shot
Teachers and students alike make themselves comfortable at the newly opened Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications located on Penn State’s main campus. It all started on April 21, 2017 when Donald P. Bellisario, an American television producer that produced shows like “NCIS,” gave a generous donation to the college to make a state-of-the-art center for all communications students to thrive. “It is an honor to give my support and name to the College of Communications,” said Bellisario in 2017 following his donation.
Press Conference Shot
Isabella Leahy, an executive producer and reporter for Center County Report, laughs as Michael McDermott, the 53rd Nittany Lion responds to a student journalist’s questions at the Pennsylvania School Press Association’s Press Conference for the 2023 State Competition regarding Covid-19. “The toughest thing was not being able to fulfill the needs that Penn State had the way I wanted to,” said McDermott. He explained how he “tried to do fun things at home,” like yoga in his backyard or producing a cooking show from home to try and maintain Penn State traditions when the pandemic was raging on.
Best-in-Show Shot
The sun shines down on Penn State’s center campus, bringing Old Main to life. Since 1863 the building has stood tall over the campus and continues to after 159 years. Just like Penn State’s football team has a long history of 126 champion wins, so does this “prideful” building. It has been remodeled due to fires and other incidents but it still holds the pride and traditions that Penn State still holds true to.
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