Jessica Bernhardt attended the 2008 Oklahoma Speech Theater Communication Association Convention Saturday at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Okla.

Bernhardt’s research paper, “Print vs. Online News Readership in Rural and Urban Settings,” was accepted to the undergraduate honors conference. She created a poster for the presentation, which was reviewed by colleagues, scholars, and judges.

The keynote speaker for the day was Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine. Eckford was the 15-year-old African American girl who, in 1957, walked alone in front of Little Rock Central High School, which became a battleground in the struggle for civil rights.

Attending the conference with Bernhardt was Professor Tracy Frederick.

Bernhardt is a senior at Southwestern College, Winfield, majoring in communication with an emphasis in journalism. She is the daughter of Dennis and Donna Bernhardt of Marion.