![The picture depicts a girl standing outside with the sun glowing behind her. She is wearing a black dress and has graduation cords and a medal around her neck. She has a clarinet in her arm.]()
Olivia Moss earns honors
POINT LOOKOUT, MO — Olivia Moss, a 2026 College of the Ozarks graduate double majoring in journalism and video production, has been recognized by three professional media organizations for excellence in student journalism.
Moss earned awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Mid-America Chapter, the Society of Professional Journalists Region 7 Mark of Excellence Awards, and the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association College Media Awards.
The NATAS Mid-America Chapter named Moss a double winner in its regional collegiate journalism competition. Her broadcast news documentary, “The Pilots of Southwest Missouri,” won in the Non-Fiction Long Form category, and her broadcast news story, “The Bells Are Ringing,” won in the Arts/Entertainment/Cultural category.
In the SPJ Region 7 Mark of Excellence competition, Moss won first place in Feature News Reporting for her broadcast story, “Gifts Come Full Circle.” She was also named a finalist in Feature News Videography for “The Bells Are Ringing.”
The Missouri Broadcast Educators Association also honored Moss’ work in several categories. She received first place in News Documentary for “The Pilots of Southwest Missouri,” first place in News Writing for her 2025 stories, and first place in News Magazine for “Training Nurses.” She also received second place in Special Programs for “The Historian’s Insight,” third place in Hard News for “Reflections,” and third place in News Magazine for “Gifts Come Full Circle.”
Moss said “The Pilots of Southwest Missouri” was especially meaningful because it allowed her to combine her interests in journalism, documentary storytelling, and the people of southwest Missouri. The documentary highlights older pilots from the region, including farmers, pastors, and small-town residents, and tells the personal stories behind why they began flying.
Moss served as a photojournalist in “The Point” Broadcast Newsroom from August 2023 to May 2026. Through the College’s work education program, she gained hands-on experience as a broadcast reporter, videographer, and video editor while producing stories for “The Point” News Magazine.
“Working at ‘The Point’ Newsroom has been such a blessing in my life,” Moss said. “Hands-on learning under wise counsel is invaluable, and I am so thankful for each learning opportunity I have had while working here. I am excited to bring what I have learned at College of the Ozarks into my future career as a reporter.”
Associate Professor of the Practice of Journalism Erin Hayes, who supervises “The Point” and “The Outlook” student newsrooms, said Moss represents the best of student journalism.
“Olivia is, in every respect, an example of what a journalist should be,” Hayes said. “She cares deeply about reporting the truth objectively, with sensitivity and fairness. Her broadcast news stories are compelling and well-crafted because she brings her best to her work.”
Hayes also said Moss’ impact extended beyond her individual work.
“It was a joy to witness Olivia’s growth as a journalist and as a highly valued member of our newsroom team,” Hayes said. “Her student colleagues appreciated Olivia as someone they could always count on, I am deeply grateful for what she brings to the profession of journalism.”
“The Point” News Magazine is a product of “The Point” Broadcast Newsroom, an applied learning workstation at College of the Ozarks. Student journalists produce the biweekly news magazine with a focus on stories of interest to the campus community. “The Point” Broadcast Newsroom was established in fall 2016. Since then, student journalists at “The Point” have earned more than 170 collegiate journalism awards at the state, regional, and national levels.