The Vanguard, the University of South Alabama student newspaper, recently captured two first-place and two second-place awards in the prestigious Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards, including one for general news reporting.

The newspaper won a second-place award for best non-daily newspaper in the region, going up against other weekly collegiate papers. It is the highest The Vanguard has ever placed in the SPJ Awards.

Vanguard Editor Jamie Sims’ coverage of the Student Government Association’s cell phone usage won her a first-place award in general news reporting for the Mark of Excellence Awards, announced in Fort Lauderdale. Sims’ story will now go on to the national competition, the results of which will be announced in New York this September. Sims is an education major from Mobile.

Also taking a first-place award was Vanguard Opinion Editor Kiril Dickinson, who was judged best columnist for the Southeastern region. Dickinson, a journalism major from St. Louis, will also have his work judged in the national competition.

Taking second place in the best columnist category was Michael Gregory, a journalism major from Gautier, Miss. Gregory, Sims and Dickinson had their work judged against all other collegiate entries in the region, including daily, biweekly and weekly papers.

For more information contact Renee Paul, USA Public Relations at 460-6640.