Students from The Appalachian and The Peel spent a recent weekend in New York City representing App State at the College Media Association’s Spring Convention. The multi-day event brought together student journalists from across the country for workshops, networking and professional development — and culminated in The Apple Awards, a highly competitive national contest recognizing excellence in collegiate media.
For the second consecutive year, The Appalachian earned First Place for Best Crisis Coverage, one of the convention’s most prestigious honors. This year’s award recognized the newsroom’s persistent, community-centered reporting on immigration and ICE activity in the High Country, including breaking coverage of the revocation of an App State student’s visa.
The winning coverage included reporting from:
Meg Frantz, Editor-in-Chief
Madalyn Edwards, Managing Editor
Colin Wishneski, Associate News Editor
Their award-winning stories can be read here:
Madalyn Edwards: Support and resources for ICE-related encounters in the High Country https://theappalachianonline.com/support-and-resources-for-ice-related-encounters-in-the-high-country/
Meg Frantz: International student visa revoked; Office of International Programs offers resources https://theappalachianonline.com/international-student-visa-revoked-office-of-international-programs-offers-resources/
Colin Wishneski: Reports of ICE activity in Boone spur protest https://theappalachianonline.com/reports-of-ice-activity-in-boone-spur-protest/
In addition to the crisis coverage win, The Appalachian staff brought home several other awards and honors:
1st Place, Best News Photography — Juliet Coen and Noah Williford, for their Election Day 2025 coverage
3rd Place, Best Social Media Coverage of a Single Event — The Appalachian’s marketing desk, for the 2025 Best of Boone campaign
Honorable Mention, Best Feature Photography — Photo Editor Ava Anzalone
Honorable Mention, Best Single-Media Ad — Visual Managing Editor Chloe Pound, for an advertisement designed for Los Arcoris
This strong showing highlights the dedication, talent and professionalism of App State’s student journalists — and their continued commitment to serving the High Country community through impactful, ethical reporting.
In February, students from The Appalachian and The Peel attended the North Carolina College Media Association 2026 Conference and 2025 Statewide College Media Awards at Elon University. Both organizations received statewide recognition, listed below.
The Appalachian
Best of Show - Newspaper (Large Campuses [more than 8,500])
2nd Place, Cartoon — Rian Hughes “Protest Cartoon”
Honorable Mention, Digital Storytelling — Staff “PHOTO GALLERY: A look into 2025 municipal Election Day”
Honorable Mention, Digital Storytelling — Madalyn Edwards “‘Wild west by day, Ghost Train by night’: Tweetsie Railroad’s seasonal attraction returns to the High Country”
Honorable Mention, Illustration/Graphic — Andrew Reagan “A pulse check on mainstream misogyny”
2nd Place, Opinion Writing — Allison Lehan “Allie’s Angle: WNC’s forests are under attack”
Honorable Mention, Photography — Ava Anzalone “Rashod Dubinion runs his route”
Honorable Mention, Sports Writing — Tess McNally “Dominic De Freitas kick starts his Mountaineer Legacy”
The Peel
Best of Show - Literary Magazine
1st Place, Poetry — Camilla Ayala “parasocial relationship with the ocean”
1st Place, Nonfiction — Grace Buckner “Fire and Flood”
1st Place, Two-Page Spread — Mason McCaffety, Eamon O'Maille and Meredith Purdy “Fire and Flood”
1st Place, Photography/Art — Noah Graham “Helene in Asheville”
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About The Appalachian
The Appalachian has been Appalachian State University’s independent student-run news publication since 1934. We publish a print publication monthly and send out twice weekly email newsletters during the regular academic year. We are the recipient of the ACP Pacemaker Award, the CMA Pinnacle Award and the N.C. College Media Association Best of Show award. Learn more at https://theappalachianonline.com/
About The Peel Literature & Arts Review
The Peel Review is Appalachian State University’s student-run literature and arts publication. The Peel Review works to cultivate creative expression in the student body and local community by providing an outlet for creatives to express themselves. To view previously published work, visit thepeelreview.com.
About the Department of Communication
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Communication at Appalachian State University focuses on preparing students to succeed in a wide range of roles within the communication industry. The department offers five majors – Advertising, Communication Studies, Electronic Media/Broadcasting, Digital Journalism and Public Relations – and minors in Communication Studies and Cinematic Production.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.appstate.edu
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,570 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
Three students at CMA Spring Convention step and repeat
