A story about a local hairdresser’s impact on her community earned Wartburg College students Karma Goodson and Logan Meagher third-place honors in the inaugural Iowa Business-for-Good Journalism Contest.
The judges selected the story, “Shar Roorda: Defining Hair and Excellence,” for its “compelling narrative and spotlight on an underreported community business making a meaningful impact.”
“This experience came with its ups and downs as Logan and I spent countless hours working on the piece. I am extremely proud of the work we both put in,” Goodson said. “There were times where I was very hesitant about even finishing, but I am extremely glad that I did and ended up with such a rewarding outcome.”
The contest invited teams of college students — at least one in journalism and one in business — to write a story examining how a business or organization responds to local needs while also helping readers understand how economic decisions shape the lives of people and communities across Iowa. Goodson, who wrote a story about Roorda for one of her classes, was excited for the opportunity to challenge herself as a new writer while also sharing Roorda’s work with a wider audience.
“I already had a pretty personal relationship with Shar, who has been my hair stylist for a little over a year. Shar and I are both biracial women with similar opinions and views. I adore her work,” Goodson said.
Roorda was honored to be selected for the feature.
“I geek out over my job, so I love the opportunity to talk about my passion in serving people with textured hair,” she said. “They were very accommodating of my busy schedule and my work environment, which made it easy for me to do the interview. I felt like I was talking to a friend.”
Goodson and Meagher won $250 for their third-place finish, and a matching award was given to Wartburg.
“The stories submitted this year highlight the power of local journalism to illuminate solutions and inspire change,” the judges shared in a press release from the Iowa Newspaper Association. “These students are telling stories that matter — not only to their communities but to the future of responsible business.”
Goodson and Meagher are working with editors at Business Publications Corp., which owns the Business Record, to prepare the story for publication. The Iowa Business-for-Good Contest was organized by Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business, the Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the Iowa Newspaper Foundation and the Business Record.
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