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Region 9 Mark of Excellence Awards 2023 winners announced
CONTACT:
Lou Harry, SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards, lharry@spj.org
Nadia Gordon, SPJ Communications Coordinator, ngordon@hq.spj.org
INDIANAPOLIS The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 9 with 2023 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.
SPJs Region 9 comprises Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.
National winners will be notified in the late spring.
MOE Awards entries are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. Judges were directed to choose entries they felt were among the best in student journalism. If no entry rose to the level of excellence, no award was given. Any category not listed has no winner.
School divisions are based on student enrollment, including both graduate and undergraduate: Large schools have at least 10,000 students and small schools have 9,999 or fewer students.
The list below details all Region 9 winners. If you have any questions regarding the MOE Awards, contact SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards Lou Harry by email.
This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries.
Print/Online
Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Poudre school district tables vote on Polaris school merger by Alexandra Seibel, The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Colorado State University
Finalist: University of Utah to pay $5 million settlement to the parents of Zhifan Dong by Andrew Christiansen, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Finalist: Students pack City Council chambers, demonstrate against U+2 by Grant Coursey, The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Colorado State University
General News Reporting
Winner: BYU students may be impacted by latest DACA update by Ivette Galvez Laparra, The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Student government addresses genocide comments from member by Sara Martin, Travis Brooks, The Metropolitan, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Finalist: Utah's gender-affirming care ban is harmful to transgender youth, professors and trans student say by Stevie Shaughnessey, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
In-Depth Reporting
Finalist: U students share experiences navigating the OEO process by Crystal Rose Fraughton, Rachel Kloepfer, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Finalist: Union frustration grows at MSU Denver over faculty workload by Madeline Terlep, The Metropolitan, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Winner: U origins: A clearer picture of philanthropy at the U and how it has shaped campus by MJ Jewkes, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Feature Writing (Large)
Winner: U professors exhibit honors 2006 Immigration Reform March by Libbey Hanson, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Finalist: BYU student fights against racism through cultural dance by Ivette Galvez Laparra, The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University |
Finalist: Meet the U student running for SLC mayor by CJ Alexander, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Sports Writing
Winner: How a changing media landscape influenced the U's move to the Big 12 by Austin Eames, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
General Column Writing
Winner: Madeline Van Wagenen by Madeline Van Wagenen, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Finalist: Columns by Kayla Lien, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Finalist: Columns by Harper Hargis, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large)
Winner: The Signpost by Kennedy Camarena, The Signpost, Weber State University
Finalist: The Daily Utah Chronicle by Staff, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Finalist: The Rocky Mountain Collegian by Staff, The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Colorado State University
Best Ongoing Student Magazine
Winner: College Avenue Magazine by Staff, College Avenue Magazine, Colorado State University
Finalist: The Daily Universe by Staff, The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University
Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: CU Independent by Staff, CU Independent, University of Colorado Boulder
Art/Graphics/Multimedia
Breaking News Photography
Winner: Bill banning gender-affirming care for Utah minors passes by Xiangyao Axe Tang, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
General News Photography
Winner: Candlelight vigil for Israel by Garrett Mogel, The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Colorado State University
Finalist: BYU Arab Student Association aims to foster unity in times of strife by Amy Ortiz, The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University
Finalist: A look at drag culture and representation at the U by Minh Vuong, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Feature Photography
Winner: Support first responders and their families mental health by Sarah Karr, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Finalist: Lust For life by Citlali Mares, Talon Magazine, Community College of Denver
Finalist: Locals climb 110 stories at LaVell Edwards Stadium to honor 9/11 heroes by Anna Hair, The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University
Photo Essay/Slideshow
Winner: Canyoneering class highlight by Sophie Felici, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Finalist: 2023 Utah Pride Parade A colorful celebration of love and acceptance by Marco Lozzi, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Finalist: Free Palestine protest at Denver Capitol by Garrett Mogel, Milo Gladstein, The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Colorado State University
Illustration
Winner: Navigating student finances by Star Neil, The Signpost, Weber State University
Finalist: Support your local SLC bookstores by Mary Allen, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Finalist: College athletes are in danger of systemic dehumanization by Kristofer Hoon, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Photo Illustration
Winner: Navigating student finances by Star Neil, The Signpost, Weber State University
Finalist: Support your local SLC bookstores by Mary Allen, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Finalist: College athletes are in danger of systemic dehumanization by Kristofer Hoon, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Sports Photography
Winner: Utah Mens Basketball upsets unbeaten BYU to win the Holy War by Xiangyao Axe Tang, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Finalist: Utah Mens Basketball narrowly escapes upset in win over Southern Utah by Mary Allen, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Finalist: Bucking bronco by Kennedy Camarena, The Signpost, Weber State University
Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Humanitarian organization Eagle Condor helps people find their wings by Lynnette McConkie, BYU Universe, Brigham Young University
Finalist: BYU Special Olympics focus on lifelong friendships by Ethan Porter, BYU Universe Live, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Angel Flight West brings Christmas to hundreds of Utah children by Alice Gubler, The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University
News Videography
Winner: University of Denver's paranormal Mary Reed building? by Elsie Buczkowski, DU Media, University of Denver
Finalist: Denver Mayoral candidates face off at DU by Cassis Tingley, DU Media, University of Denver
Finalist: Sharing living water: Improving the hydraulic resources in the Dominican Republic by Liesel Allen, Alyssa Regis, Derek VanBuskirk, BYU Universe Live, Brigham Young University
Feature Videography
Winner: Spreading Stikbuds across Denver by Eden Bollschweiler, DU Media, University of Denver
Data Visualization
Winner: Lack of suicide resources by Grace Haglund, The Signpost, Weber State University
Audio
Radio News Reporting
Winner: Dying Great Salt Lake by Hannah Nelson, Aggie Radio, Utah State University
Finalist: Abdullah's story by Dakota Makinen, KGNU, University of Colorado Boulder
Radio Feature
Winner: Chernobyl by Leon Spiess, KVCU, University of Colorado Boulder
Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Boulder Housing Coalition by Jack Armstrong, KVCU, University of Colorado Boulder
Podcast (Conversational)
Winner: Overwriter by Juanita Hurtado, KVCU, University of Colorado Boulder
Finalist: Coming into queerness with KCSU & the Pride Resource Center by Erin Fuller, KCSU, Colorado State University
Podcast (Narrative)
Winner: Teenage PTSD by Lily Wright, KVCU, University of Colorado Boulder
Finalist: Your favorite place by Jack Armstrong, KVCU, University of Colorado Boulder
Broadcast
Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Utahns rally at the Capitol to support Ukraine one year after Russian invasion by Trevor Myers, BYU Universe Live, Brigham Young University
Television General News Reporting
Winner: Wild turkey invasion by Anna Johnson, A-TV News, Utah State University
Finalist: BYU Special Olympics focus on lifelong friendships by Ethan Porter, Universe Live, Brigham Young University
Finalist: ChatGPT hits campus by Kainoa Johnson, A-TV News, Utah State University
Television Feature Reporting
Winner: A woman's journey from addict to caregiver by Bella Zafer; Cassis Tingley, DU Media, University of Denver
Finalist: Hottest gathering in town by Zahra Nasir, A-TV News, Utah State University
Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Losing our lifeblood by Clayre Scott, Anna Johnson, A-TV News, Utah State University
Finalist: Rumbula remembered: Preserving the memory of the WWII massacre in Riga by Emma Everett Johnson, Ethan Porter, Universe Live, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Nuclear energy: Deadly disaster or futuristic fuel? by Tom Isaacson, Collegian TV, Colorado State University
Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Are fans going too far? by Clayre Scott, A-TV News, Utah State University
Finalist: CSU Softball alumni pave the way for todays Rams by Madeline Davis, Collegian TV, Colorado State University
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: A-TV News by Staff, A-TV News, Utah State University
Best All-Around Television Magazine
Winner: Cache Rendezvous by Staff, A-TV News, Utah State University
Finalist: BYU Universe by Staff, BYU Universe, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Universe Live by Staff, BYU Universe, Brigham Young University
All Platform
Arts/Fashion Journalism
Winner: Funny you mention that: A closer look at the FoCo comedy scene by Cassidy DuFore Payne, College Avenue, Colorado State University
Finalist: The School of Dance presents Balanchines Serenade by Haley Freeman, The Daily Utah Chronicle, University of Utah
Campus Reporting
Winner: Injured students find ways to get around campus by Annika Ohran, The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Agar art competition blends science and art while encouraging experiential learning by Bryan Barba Salazar, The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University
Food/Restaurant Journalism
Winner: Father-daughter BYU alums sweeten up Provo with cheesecake shop by Andrew Osborn, The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Backyard Bird Chicken and Donuts flies away with expectations by Gideon Aigner, Collegian TV, Colorado State University
Regional Political Reporting
Winner: BYU student vies for city council seat with $0 campaign by Emma Everett Johnson, The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Domestic violence bill passes in Utah Senate, parents of Gabby Petito attend vote by Joel Leighton, The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University
Retail/Small Business Journalism
Winner: Small business Madi Stitches thrives on social media by Emma Everett Johnson, The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University
Science/Environment Reporting
Winner: Historic Utah snowfall a step toward drought control, government officials say by Josh Rust, The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University
SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.
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