The Echo received Best of Show in two categories at the National Scholastic Press Association convention in Denver, the most recent of several awards this year.

The first place awards were given for the publication website and broadsheet newspaper in the small school division.

Adviser Lori Keekley said she was astonished to see the The Echo receive two first-place awards at the convention, which took place the third weekend of April.

“I was shocked actually with the first places for the best of show,” Keekley said. “It was a nice surprise.”

Earlier in the school year, The Echo was one of 17 schools nationally to win a Gold Crown from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

Other awards this year include the First Amendment Press Freedom Award, awarded to seven schools nationally, and a Pacemaker finalist award for the online content.

Keekley said she is proud of the students on the Echo, but to her it’s not about the awards.

“It really comes down to are you covering your student body well,” Keekley said. “And hopefully we are.”