Una Student From Decatur Garners Associated Press Awards

May. 08, 2012

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@xfmlsp.com, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - Even before finishing college, University of North Alabama senior Lucy Berry has already snagged a state journalism award usually won by full-time seasoned writers. Alabama Associated Press Managing Editors has tapped Berry for second place in its News Feature category for her series of stories on homelessness in the Shoals. She wrote the stories as an intern for the Times Daily in Florence in summer 2011. "Lucy did a great job for us last summer. We were able to trust her with stories of a nature and sensitivity that an intern ordinarily wouldn't be assigned," said Scott Morris, Times Daily executive editor. "Lucy did everything we asked her to do and did an exceptional job for us. She has a bright future in journalism." While at UNA, Berry, of Decatur, has served as a staff writer, news editor and, this past year, executive editor for The Flor-Ala campus newspaper. She has also served as senior student writer for the university's Office of Communications and Marketing. Berry's Alabama Associated Press award came on the heels of another major honor: In February, she won first place in the Southeast Journalism Conference's Best of the South category for her Flor-Ala coverage of the April 27, 2011, tornadoes and UNA's response to the devastation. "It was no surprise that the Alabama Associated Press and the judges for the Southeast Journalism Conference saw (Berry's) work worthy of recognition," said Rebecca Walker, UNA coordinator of student media. "Her work and dedication will impact future Flor-Ala staffs for years to come. She's one of UNA's most promising alumni, and I look forward to one day seeing her byline at some of the top publications in the country." Berry will graduate Saturday with a degree in English and journalism.