The Clarion won top honors in five categories and 12 total awards in the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation’s Collegiate Newspaper Contest. The awards were presented on Feb. 28 at the group’s annual convention held at the Milwaukee West Marriott in Waukesha.

Former multimedia editor Sarah Weatherbee received a first-place award in investigative reporting for an article about the struggles some students face due to the lack of health insurance.

Graphic designer Natalie Connors won a first-place award for column writing for an opinion piece she wrote encouraging the city to consider adding more bus lines before it expands the beltline.

Sports editor Nicholas Garton got a first-place award for sports column writing for three columns he wrote.

Former staff photographer Phil Ejercito, who passed away last spring, received a first-place award in photography. The award was accepted on Phil’s behalf by his brother Michael Ejercito and his parents, Drs. Victor and Nemesia Ejercito, who joined The Clarion staff at the convention.

Finally, The Clarion staff won a first-place award for general web excellence.

The seven additional awards were presented to The Clarion at the convention.

Former editor in chief George Treviranus got a second place award in graphics and a second place award for best advertisement. Weatherbee received a second-place award for column writing, while Garton received a second-place award for sports reporting.

Christopher Pinkert received a third-place award in the graphics category, and the newspaper staff got a third-place award in editorial writing.

Overall, the newspaper took second place in the general excellence competition, a category won by UW-Green Bay.

The Clarion competed in Group B, which consisted of all state college newspapers published less than twice a week.