FERRUM, VA, March 17, 2025 – Sophomore Franklin Melton, sports editor of The Iron Blade, has won his second overall “Best of SNO” award and his first this academic year from School Newspapers Online. His story “Five Years, 1,000 Points,” published on February 5, focuses on Aisha Martin, a graduate student who achieved 1,000 points scored in her fifth year of playing women’s basketball at Ferrum.
After graduating from Ferrum in 2023, Martin was 80 points away from becoming the 23rd player in program history to score 1,000 total points. She still had one more year of eligibility, which she used after returning for a master’s degree. On December 10, at home against Warren Wilson College, Martin’s 29-point effort took her total to 1,000 points on a breakaway layup in the closing moments of a 68-33 non-conference win.
“Getting this award is really exciting,” said Melton, “because before I came to Ferrum, I had never thought about writing, and I’ve now gotten two awards, which makes me extremely proud of how much I’ve learned.”
“We are incredibly proud of Franklin Melton for receiving the Best of SNO award for his article ‘Five Years, 1,000 Points,’” said Ferrum College President Mirta Martin. “His dedication to storytelling and commitment to excellence exemplify the very best of student journalism at Ferrum College. Through his work, Franklin not only highlighted Aisha Martin’s remarkable achievement on the court, but also captured the heart of perseverance and passion in athletics. This well-deserved recognition is a testament to his talent, hard work, and the bright future ahead of him.”
Assistant Professor of English and Journalism David Campbell said, “This is Franklin’s second writing award in as many years. It has been rewarding to see his growth over time as a member of The Iron Blade. He began as a staff writer but quickly elevated to the status of sports editor, where he has settled in nicely and continues to make sure our sports content is both current and on point. As a sophomore, Franklin has demonstrated terrific writing skills, and I am excited to see how the trend continues during his junior and senior years.”
The Iron Blade has now won five writing awards this academic year.
