Contacts: Matthew Kent, SPJ Program Coordinator, 317-920-4788, mkent@spj.org Jennifer Royer, SPJ Director of Communications and Marketing, 317-361-4134, jroyer@spj.org
SPJs Region 11 comprises Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands and Nevada. Honorees received award certificates the weekend of March 30 at the Region 11 Conference. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other regional MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.
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 11 winners. If you have any questions regarding the MOE Awards, contact Matthew Kent via email or phone at 317-920-4788.
This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries.
Newspapers Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Medina found guilty of first-degree murder in trial by jury by Sharon Zhen, University of California, Los Angeles Finalist: Former LBSU employee visited campus offices before allegedly committing double homicide by Kat Schuster and Sarah Vehrs, Long Beach State University Finalist: Power restored campus wide after transformer fire by Staff of Ka Leo O Hawaii, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: La Verne earthquake rattles students nerves by Christian Shepherd, University of La Verne Finalist: Student detained after gun threats by Christian Shepherd, University of La Verne Finalist: House explosion shakes Claremont by Aryn Plax, University of La Verne
General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: New staffing law, old struggles bedevil California nursing homes by Ethan Millman, Arizona State University Finalist: Undocumented UC Berkeley student detained by Border Patrol, ICE in San Diego by The Daily Californian News Staff, University of California, Berkeley Finalist: Seattle skatepark visionary is mourned, but his company rolls on by Derek Hall, Arizona State University
General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students Winner: Families stranded as two Eagle Rock charter schools close by Megan Purdome, Occidental College Finalist: California wildfire coverage by David Gonzalez and Jaycie Thierry, University of La Verne Finalist: Coverage of migrant children held in La Verne by Christian Shepherd, University of La Verne
In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: In rural Pennsylvania, family detention a world away from the border by Renata Clσ, Arizona State University Finalist: UC Berkeley Graduate Assembly considers leaving ASUC after half century of tension by Hannah Piette, University of California, Berkeley Finalist: CAPS faces challenges to effectively meet student needs for long-term services by Kristie-Valerie Hoang, University of California, Los Angeles
In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students Winner: Police assault homeless black man outside of protest by Katy Stegall, Southwestern College Finalist: Athletic director lawsuit coverage by Maggie Duffy and Julian Willnow, Occidental College Finalist: Occidental purchases properties for veteran housing, tenants displaced by Eliot Brody and Max Harrison-Caldwell, Occidental College
Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Nagalands teachers are renting out their government jobs by Caleb Hampton, University of California, Berkeley Finalist: Desperation, fear and uncertainty: A housing project threatens eviction on a historic block by Terry Nguyen, University of Southern California Finalist: For crew of 2,100 passenger cruise ship, frenetic turnaround day in Seattle starts and ends the job by Derek Hall, Arizona State University
Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Bickford makes leap in frog science by Catalina Diaz, University of La Verne Finalist: Ruth Sax is a survivor by Andrew Perez, Southwestern College Finalist: The retro Ruff Riders by Perla Luna, Santa Clara University
General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Sex on Tuesday by Rizza Estacio, University of California, Berkeley Finalist: Are you there, UCLA? Its me, Mom by Mariah Furtek, University of California, Los Angeles Finalist: After Dark by Nina Young, University of California, Los Angeles
General Column Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: The Oval Office goes to Oprah?; Parkland Tragedy is about gun control, not mental health; Too important to ignore by Jay Fuchs, Santa Clara University Finalist: Sex columns by Siobhan Eagen and Alyssa Pajarillo, Southwestern College Finalist: From Pluto to Plato by JoseLuis Baylon, Southwestern College
Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Spirit, life and laughter Mima Mirkovic is Cal volleyballs own comedian by Surina Khurana, University of California, Berkeley Finalist: Im losing those memories: Ex-Cardinals among thousands in concussion suit by Nate Fain, Daniel Perle and Veronica Graff, Arizona State University Finalist: Propelled by run game, Bruins snatch Victory Bell back from Trojans with 34-27 win by Hanson Wang, University of California, Los Angeles
Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students Winner: Hurdles of life by Brittany Cruz-Fejeran, Southwestern College Finalist: Ex QB a national phenomenon by Justin Dottery, Southwestern College Finalist: The man with the golden voice by Jimmy Flynn, Santa Clara University
Editorial Writing Winner: Daily Bruin editorials by Staff of Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles Finalist: The Daily Californian editorials by The Daily Californian Editorial Board, University of California, Berkeley Finalist: The Daily Wildcat editorials by Staff of The Daily Wildcat, University of Arizona
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper Winner: The Daily Californian by Staff of The Daily Californian, University of California, Berkeley Finalist: Daily Bruin Staff of Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper Winner: The Daily Aztec by Staff of The Daily Aztec, San Diego State University Finalist: The Corsair by Staff of The Corsair, Santa Monica College Finalist: Ka Leo O Hawaii by Staff of Ka Leo O Hawaii, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Magazines
Non-Fiction Magazine Article Winner: Declined help, declining help by Teddy Rosenbluth, University of California, Los Angeles Finalist: No hurdle too high by Madison McCann and Meghan Sweeney, Long Beach State University Finalist: First line of defense by Spencer Croce, University of La Verne
Best Student Magazine Winner: PRIME Fall 2018 by Daily Bruin staff, University of California, Los Angeles Finalist: Collegian Times by Staff of Collegian Times, Los Angeles City College Finalist: State Press Magazine by Parker Shea and Savanah Yaghsezian, Arizona State University
Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Arizona students gather to remember victims of Texas school shooting by Ellen OBrien, Arizona State University Finalist: Getting moved out by Miyung Kim, El Camino College Finalist: USAC Election Board announces new undergraduate student government council by Ken Shin, University of California, Los Angeles
Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Honoring tradition: All-Indian rodeo brings together tribes for riding and dancing by Anya Magnuson and Nicole Neri, Arizona State University Finalist: Footsteps into America: A migrants journey of struggle, hope and the unknown by Nicole Neri, Arizona State University Finalist: Chuck the condor takes flight by Anwar Torres, Los Angeles City College
Editorial Cartooning Winner: The Bottom Line editorial cartoons by Natalie Dye, University of California, Santa Barbara
General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: IV party attains unprecedented power with election victories by Juan Gonzalez, University of California, Santa Barbara Finalist: UCLA Army ROTC cadets participate in their biannual field training by Liz Ketcham, University of California, Los Angeles Finalist: Womens March 2018 by Ken Shin, University of California, Los Angeles
Photo Illustration (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: The elephant in the room by Stella Atzenweiler, Kevin Weinhold, Alex Czaja and Parker Shea, Arizona State University Finalist: Meghan Scudero balances roles to prove both the pen and the soccer ball are mighty by Axel Lopez and Amy Dixon, University of California, Los Angeles Finalist: Fraternities affected by alcohol ban will hold responsibility for its enforcement by Amy Dixon, University of California, Los Angeles
Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students Winner: Ballyard Brawl mixes it up in Haymarket Park by Nicole Neri, Arizona State University Finalist: Long jump by David Wilson, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Finalist: Going up for a header by Darwyn Samayoa, El Camino College
Radio
Radio Feature Winner: Demystifying Bollywood by Devika Girish and Melissa Duenas, University of Southern California Finalist: Dimelo: Dia de Los Muertos at Hollywood Forever Cemetery by Marcela Valdivia, University of Southern California
Radio News Reporting Winner: Struggling to Breathe in the Bay Area by Kaitlin Benz, University of California, Berkeley School of Journalism Finalist: Vote 16 pushes to lower voting age by Jon Reed, University of Southern California Finalist: Animal evacuation following massive fires by Megan Manata, University of Southern California
Best All-Around Radio Newscast Winner: From Where We Are: November 8, 2018 by Staff of Annenberg Radio News, University of Southern California Finalist: From Where We Are: November 13, 2018 by Staff of Annenberg Radio News, University of Southern California
Television
Television General News Reporting Winner: Children of Havasupai write letters to White House opposing new uranium mine by Lillian Donahue, Arizona State University Finalist: AFM disease by Samantha Lomibao, Arizona State University
Television Breaking News Reporting Winner: Midterm election coverage by Staff of Cronkite News, Arizona State University Finalist: Shooter expel vote by Emily Richardson, Arizona State University Finalist: March for our Lives coverage by Staff of Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Television Feature Reporting Winner: Art class dementia by Samie Gebers, Arizona State University Finalist: DACA attorney by Tomas Rodriguez, California State University, Northridge Finalist: LA City Council works to regulate electric scooters by Madeline Ottilie, University of Southern California
Television In-Depth Reporting Winner: Concrete change by Courtney Mally, Marissa Roper and Maya Patrose, Arizona State University Finalist: Puerto Rico rebuilds by Southwest Borderlands Initiative students and Cronkite Noticias, Arizona State University
Television Sports Reporting Winner: ACL brothers by Anthony Totri, Arizona State University Finalist: The art of baton twirling by Chaz Frazier, Arizona State University Finalist: Blind football player by Matt Lively, Arizona State University
Best All-Around Television Newscast Winner: Annenberg TV News: November 11, 2018 by Chris Cheshire, Courtney Burke, Cici Pan and Nick Alfano, University of Southern California Finalist: March for our Lives team coverage by Hayley Brand, Kevyn Gessner and Azucena Martinez, Arizona State University
Best All-Around Television News Magazine Winner: Cronkite Sports Report: Season 10, Episode 6 by Staff of Cronkite News Phoenix Sports Bureau, Arizona State University
Online
Online News Reporting Winner: Eritrean and Sudanese asylum seekers in Israel by Caron Creighton, University of California, Berkeley Finalist: Footsteps into America: A migrants journey of struggle, hope and the unknown by Chris McCrory, Arizona State University Finalist: Oakland homeless camp residents face frequent thefts by Brian Perlman, University of California, Berkeley
Online Feature Reporting Winner: Border towns struggle with students who live in Mexico, learn in Arizona by Aydali Campa, Arizona State University Finalist: Living in the margins: Ecovillages take sustainability to personal level by Gabriel Sandler, Arizona State University Finalist: Caught between DACA and ACA, Dreams hopes for kidney transplant dim by Rebecca Spiess, Arizona State University
Online In-Depth Reporting Winner: In a hole: Arizona official lack funds to find, secure at least 100,000 abandoned mines by Chris McCrory, Arizona State University Finalist: Justice for who? Unequal treatment is the norm in Fresno by Reis Thebault and Alexandria Fuller, University of California Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism Finalist: Social media: Where voices of hate find a place to preach by Kianna Gardner, Arizona State University
Online Sports Reporting Winner: Protecting Tillmans legacy by Jack Harris, Arizona State University Finalist: Pulling no punches by Isaac Colindres, Arizona State University Finalist: Punching through Parkinsons by Ben Leibowitz, Arizona State University
Online Opinion & Commentary Winner: Charles Dominguez columns by Charles Dominguez, Arizona State University Finalist: David Marino columns by David Marino, Arizona State University Finalist: Andi Blodgett columns by Andi Blodgett, Arizona State University
Best Affiliated Web Site Winner: PRIME by Staff of Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles Finalist: The Union by Staff, El Camino College
Best Independent Online Student Publication Winner: The State Press by Staff of the State Press, Arizona State University Finalist: Dimelo by Staff of Dimelo, University of Southern California, Annenberg Finalist: Downtown Devil by Staff of Downtown Devil, Arizona State University
Best Use of Multimedia Winner: Feeding Change: Puerto Ricos push for food independence intertwined with debate over statehood by Jenna Miller, Arizona State University Finalist: Justice for who? Unequal treatment is the norm in Fresno by Reis Thebault and Alexandria Fuller, University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism Finalist: Leaving Tracks The capture of wolf no. 1553 by Jenna Miller, Adriana De Alba and Eric Jakows, Arizona State University
Podcast Winner: Elijahs (w)hole story: Faith and fraud in Lemuria by Cat Schuknect, University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism Finalist: In the know: The gravely disabled by Keshav Tadimeti and Teddy Rosenbluth, University of California, Los Angeles Finalist: The impact of Israels deposit law on single mothers by Caron Creighton, University of California, Berkeley
Videography
Online/Digital News Videography Winner: Turning Point USA holds Campus Clash at USU, protestors respond by Adam Pacheco and Alexandra Apatiga, Long Beach State University Finalist: Bird vs. Urber: Which is faster? by Dean Hughes, University of California, Los Angeles Finalist: UCLA Scientists create biomechanic stingray by Dean Hughes, University of California, Los Angeles
Online/Digital Feature Videography Winner: Faces of UCLA: Understanding Sikhism by Kitty Hu, University of California, Los Angeles Finalist: Freshmen rap group emerges from a Tempe dorm room by Ariel Salk, Arizona State University Finalist: Drag queen Lorelei dazzles in one-woman show by Rachel Lee, University of California, Los Angeles
Broadcast Feature Videography Winner: Operation Restoring Hope by Matt Lively, Arizona State University Finalist: Native woman starts her dream company by Lillian Donahue, Arizona State University Finalist: Art class dementia by Samie Gebers, Arizona State University
Broadcast News Videography Winner: Helping with cleanup after record storms by Lillian Donahue, Arizona State University Finalist: Las Vegas shooting survivor by Samie Gebers, Arizona State University
Broadcast Sports Videography Winner: In Arizona, more Navajo take to the dirt for Rez golf by Jake Trybulski and Drake Dunaway, Arizona State 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.
Society of Professional Journalists
