FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Abbi Martzall, SPJ Awards Coordinator, 317-920-4791, awards@spj.org
Taylor Carlier, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317-920-4785, tcarlier@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the 2014 Mark of Excellence Awards winners from Region 9. The MOE Awards honor the best of collegiate journalism from a calendar year.

SPJ’s Region 9 comprises Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Honorees received award certificates the weekend of April 25 at the Region 9 Spring Conference in Denver, Colorado. First-place winners will move on to the national MOE competition among category winners from the 12 SPJ regions.

National winners will be notified in the late spring and will be recognized at Excellence in Journalism 2015 (EIJ15) in Orlando, Florida, Sept. 18 to 20.

Entries are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. The awards honor the best in student journalism. As such, judges were directed to choose only those entries they felt were outstanding work worthy of such an honor. If the judges determined that none of the entries rose to the level of excellence, no award was given. Any category not listed has no winner.

School divisions are based on student enrollment, which includes both graduate and undergraduate enrollment: Large schools have at least 10,000 students and small schools have 9,999 or fewer students.

See the list below for details on the Region 9 winners, and direct any MOE Awards questions to Awards Coordinator Abbi Martzall: awards@spj.org and 317-920-4791.

Note: The list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award-entry process.

ART/GRAPHICS
Breaking News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Denver protesters: Issues remain after Ferguson decision - by Melanie J. Rice, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Finalist: Tensions rise ahead of grand jury verdict - by Philip B. Poston, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Finalist: Now it's legal - by Stephanie Konchar, Weber State University

Editorial Cartooning
Winner: Robert Shea cartoons - by Robert Shea, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Finalist: Cole Benson Cartoons - by Cole Benson, Utah State University

Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Santa Run - by Lichelle Jenkins, Weber State University
Finalist: Sparks, ideas fly as students design and build bikes - by Alyson McClaran, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Finalist: Metro alum paints Tennyson red - by Alyson McClaran, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Dancing queen - by Brooke A. Rogers, Laramie County Community College
Finalist: Men in maroon - by Tamara Rodgers, Laramie County Community College
Finalist: Lesson taught with a smile - by Ike Fredregill, Laramie County Community College

General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Jeffco: Raised hands, raised concerns - by Philip B. Poston, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Finalist: Tempers flare around on-campus preaching - by Alyson McClaran, Metropolitan State University of Denver

General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Juggling hats - by Matthew Strissel, Northwest College
Finalist: Culture shock - by Vycktoryja Selves, Laramie County Community College

Photo Illustration (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Homecoming - by Autumn Mariano, Kaitlyn Johnson and Skyler Pyle, Weber State University
Finalist: Fall graduation - by Autumn Mariano, Kaitlyn Johnson and Skyler Pyle, Weber State University

Photo Illustration (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: It could be you - by Gabriella Warren, Northwest College
Finalist: Vote - by Tamara Rodgers, Laramie County Community College

Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Joe Hill runs the ball against UNLV - by Kylee Larsen, Utah State University
Finalist: Runners prepare for season with big wins - by Philip B. Poston, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Finalist: Pitcher Noelle Johnson celebrates - by Kylee Larsen, Utah State University

Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: #CowboyUp - by Tamara Rodgers, Laramie County Community College

MAGAZINES
Best Student Magazine
Winner: CSU-Pueblo Today Magazine - Fall 2014 - by Staff, CSU-Pueblo Today Magazine, Colorado State University-Pueblo
Finalist: Horizon Magazine -- Fall 2014 - by Levi Meyer, Colorado Mesa University
Finalist: College Avenue Magazine - by College Avenue Magazine Staff, Colorado State University

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: Mr. Grand Junction: In tragedy and triumph, GJ mainstay Levi Lucero finds beauty in everything - by Levi Meyer, Colorado Mesa University
Finalist: Students advocating for students: Emerging Artist Gallery - by Carlos Escamilla, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Finalist: CSU student recounts summer in war-torn Israel - by Hunter Goddard, Colorado State University

NEWSPAPERS
Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: Brigham Young University Newspaper - by Staff of The Universe, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Wingspan - by Wingspan staff, Laramie County Community College
Finalist: The Signpost - by Staff, Weber State University

Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Now it's legal - by Michael Anderson Kruse, Weber State University
Finalist: Fire on 5th & 5th under investigation - by Courtney Tanner, University of Utah
Finalist: Bill to change fight song passes - by Allison Oligschlaeger, University of Utah

Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Marriage equality comes to the Equality State - by Alexandria Preis, Northwest College
Finalist: Tour de France rider Lieuwe Westra racing on roads he once built - by Torin Koos, Westminster College
Finalist: Students quarantined on campus; Residence Hall evacuated; chemicals determined nonhazardous - by Ike Fredregill, Laramie County Community College

Editorial Writing
Winner: Alex Gerrish editorial writing - by Alex Gerrish, Weber State University
Finalist: Wingspan Editorials No. 2: Against their will; Fodder and feed; Our modern family - by Erica Klimt, Laramie County Community College
Finalist: Outrage over Coke commercial, Same-sex rights extension and My generation is not degenerate - by Nikki Work, Kelli Heitstuman-Tomko, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Jim Gaffigan, Brian Regan, other comedians find that 'clean' works for them - by Erica Palmer, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Laying it all on the Lyne - by Courtney Tanner, University of Utah
Finalist: Education, engagement, and Ebola - by Courtney Tanner, University of Utah

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Strength, happiness and never-ending optimism - by Vycktoryja Selves, Laramie County Community College
Finalist: Retiree heads for back nine - by Ike Fredregill, Laramie County Community College
Finalist: Tattoos lose taboos in workplace, hold onto stereotypes in society - by Vycktoryja Selves, Laramie County Community College

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Column writing - by Mariah Noble, Utah State University
Finalist: Column writing - by Kelsy Thompson, Weber State University
Finalist: Column Writing - by Logan Jones, Utah State University

General Column Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Secret lives of home-schoolers; Grace eludes some particularly me; America embraces its inner nerd - by Brooke A. Rogers, Laramie County Community College
Finalist: Tales of Family, campus, and community - by Levi Meyer, Colorado Mesa University
Finalist: Suggested development - by Matt MacDonald, Colorado Mesa University

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Ferguson shooting demonstrates US racial divide - by Melanie J. Rice, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Finalist: Nursing professor - by Matt Kunes, Weber State University
Finalist: USU administrator terminated after accusations of sexual assault - by Mariah Noble Jeffrey Dahdah Manda Perkins, Utah State University

General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Marijuana policies create legal hotbox - by Ike Fredregill, Laramie County Community College
Finalist: CMU professor makes scientific breakthrough - by Allison Ildefonso, Colorado Mesa University
Finalist: Major regressions in scholarships cause dissonance for music programs - by Brooke A. Rogers, Laramie County Community College

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Election Special: Candidates for governor of Colorado - by Steve Musal, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Finalist: The changing definition of 'TV': What parents need to know about today's television content - by Erica Palmer, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Summer sales big risk big reward - by Eric Jungblut, Utah State University

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Campus coverage: College football - by Torin Koos, Westminster College
Finalist: Trouble in paradise: America's forests in crisis - by Lucy Schouten, Brigham Young University
Finalist: The messy rise of mud and obstacle racing - by Torin Koos, Westminster College
Finalist: In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Student - College students bridge generation gap by Ike Fredregill, Laramie County Community College

Sports Column Writing
Winner: Sports column writing - by Brad Ferguson, Utah State University
Finalist: Sports column writing- by Michael Grennell, Weber State University
Finalist: Derek Jeter did it his way ... / Prolific Peyton passes ... / Do Peyton a Favre and move over - by Mario Sanelli; Scott Corbridge, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Raising an Olympian: Kate Hansen - by Joshua Jamias, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Soccer overtime loss - by Charles Bowker, Weber State University
Finalist: Bent, but not broken - by Katie Nielson and Trent Christiansen, Brigham Young University

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Where is Soccer City, USA? - by Torin Koos, Westminster College
Finalist: Taylor Townsend plays for ailing friend Vicky Duval in WTT - by Torin Koos, Westminster College
Finalist: McCormick wins regionals after appendectomy - by Meryk McArthur, Northwest College

ONLINE
Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: The Signpost - by Staff, Weber State University

Best Digital-Only Student Publication
Winner: CU Independent - by CU Independent staff, University of Colorado
Finalist: A Start-Up Here to Stay: The New Mexico News Port - by The NM News Port Team, University of New Mexico
Finalist: The Star Journal - by Kristi Strother, Community College of Denver

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Women wear invisible cloak of homelessness - by Melanie J. Rice, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Finalist: People of 4/20 - by Patrick Fort, Kai Casey, Rob Denton, University of Colorado
Finalist: Involvement is key to success for Zarr - by Christine Wiabel, Colorado State University-Pueblo

Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Breaking the class ceiling - by Shelbi Anderson, Jeff Wade, Ricardo Quintana, Jared Jakins, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Economic upturn might not be enough for Colorado Democrats in congressional midterms - by Lars Gesing, University of Colorado Boulder
Finalist: The party of non-voters: Meet Colorado's no-shows - by Lars Gesing, University of Colorado Boulder

Online News Reporting
Winner: Senator Udall visits CU on campaign trail - by Lars Gesing, Gray Bender, Nigel Amstock, University of Colorado
Finalist: Women wear invisible cloak of homelessness - by Melanie J. Rice, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Finalist: Only U.S. Latina Governor reelected in NM - by NM News Port Team, University of New Mexico

Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: Opinion: The view on Ferguson, Mike Brown and the America - by Ellis Arnold, University of Colorado

RADIO BROADCAST
Radio Feature
Winner: Colorado Stories, Episode 4: CU at night - by Patrick Fort, University of Colorado
Finalist: UPR reporter takes day trip to Salt Lake Comic Con - by Melissa Allison, Utah State University
Finalist: Utah dad goes undercover over the weekend to save enslaved children in Colombia - by Melissa Allison, Utah State University

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Brown lawns are popular in blanding - by Melissa Allison, Utah State University

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: KMET Sports Show interview with Chad Brown - by Anthony Rodriguez, Colton Denning, Brandon Stowell and Cameron Parker, Metropolitan State University of Denver

TELEVISION BROADCAST
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: ElevenNEWS at Noon - November 12, 2014 - by ElevenNEWS Staff Cameron Collins and Madeleine Richards, Producers, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Met Report - by Met Report, Josh Cozart - General Manager, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Finalist: A-TV News - by A-TV Staff, Utah State University

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Meth lab bust - by Jason Checketts, Brigham Young University
Finalist: The Stanley Hotel - by Melanie Townsend, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Powerful performer - by Lily Checketts, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Acupuncture for dogs - by Alissiea Hernandez, New Mexico State University
Finalist: Origins of KRWG-TV/FM - by Zach Rael, New Mexico State University

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Controversy over emissions testing - by Brandon Fonda Aaron Griffiths, Utah State University
Finalist: Distracted Driving Law passed - by Brandon Fonda, Utah State University
Finalist: Language barrier - by Jeremy Harris, Brigham Young University

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Underemployment in Utah - by Justin Ashby, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Stove repair - by Aubree Jones, Brigham Young University
Finalist: A-TV News: Let's use a roundabout! - by David Matthew Stewart, Utah State University

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Coach Juddy - by Madi Nield, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Street to meet - by Brandon Crow, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Senior standout - by Justin Ashby, Brigham Young University

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information about SPJ, please visit spj.org.

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