Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

2/1/2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - Strong opinions have served Elona Boggs well. The junior journalism major at Northwestern State University is among the winners in the 41st annual William Randolph Hearst Foundation's Journalism Awards Program. Boggs, who is from Dry Creek, received a Certificate of Merit after finishing in a 12th place tie. A total of 93 entrants were in the contest.

Boggs' entry, "Pray for Those Who Pray," looked at restrictions on religious freedom by school systems. She discussed a Louisiana case in which a group of Rastafarian children were sent home because of their hairstyle. The hairstyle is part of their religion. In another case, a student was not allowed to wear a cross of David because officials said it could be interpreted as a gang symbol.

"I want to do more than just report news. I want to do features and express myself," said Boggs, who is on the staff of Northwestern's student newspaper The Current Sauce and Potpourri, the student yearbook. "The award was a big surprise to me. I chose an article at random. Receiving such a prestigious award gave me the confidence to apply for internships this summer and hopefully receive one."

Boggs said teachers at East Beauregard High School helped guide her toward a career choice. Working on the high school's yearbook led her to study journalism at NSU.

"Journalism is my first love. It's the only thing I want to do and is something I can succeed in," said Boggs who plans to graduate in the spring of 2002. "Writing for the Current Sauce and the Potpourri have helped me improve my skills and find out what I like to write about and what I don't like to write about."

Boggs said those who work on the newspaper have high standards to maintain.

"Mr. (Neil) Ralston (the newspaper's advisor) can be brutally honest in his critiques," said Boggs. "But we wouldn't have the success we do without that. We are here to report stories and find newsworthy angles, not create stories."

The Current Sauce is published each Thursday during the school year. The paper is available on-line at www.currentsauce.com.

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