Hall of Honor recipient wins prestigious journalism award

Ashlei King, Class of 2007 graduate from Samuel Clemens High School and television news anchor/reporter for KARK in Little Rock, Arkansas, was honored with the Edward R. Murrow Award in the Hard News category for her feature story, Victory over Violence: Young Lives Facing Big Fears. She and videographer Julian Jones received the award at the annual Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) Awards Gala on October 10, 2022.

“It’s hard to put into words what it means to receive a national Edward R. Murrow Award,” King said. “This is the highest honor a journalist can receive and I’m beyond grateful to have earned this award.”

King’s story focused on the tribulations faced by Little Rock youth as they deal with the realities of gun violence and its devastating impact in their community, specifically in the vicinity of the Whetstone Boys & Girls Club, where the young adolescents are supposed to feel safe.

“I can’t forget about the kids in the story who allowed me to be their voice,” King said. “Violent crime as a whole is down, which is a small step in the right direction.”

King, a University of Texas graduate, was in attendance when she was inducted into the SCUC ISD Hall of Honor in May of 2018.