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Region 1 Mark of Excellence Awards winners announced
Contacts:
Matthew Kent, SPJ Program Coordinator, 317-920-4788, mkent@spj.org
Zoλ Berg, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org
INDIANAPOLIS The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 1 with 2019 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.
SPJs Region 1 comprises Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Central and Eastern Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other regional MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.
Regional winners would normally be recognized at regional conferences, however, all SPJ Regional Conferences have been either canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Regional winners have been notified by email and will receive their award certificates via mail.
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 1 winners. If you have any questions regarding the MOE Awards, contact Program Coordinator Matthew Kent via email or 317-920-4788.
This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries. New MOE categories this year include Immersion Journalism, Data Visualization and Collaborative Journalism.
Newspapers
Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Incoming Harvard freshman deported after visa revoked by Shera S. Avi-Yonah and Delano R. Franklin, Harvard College
Finalist: Yale police officer involved in shooting of town residents by Aidan Campbell, Mackenzie Hawkins, Sammy Westfall and Angela Xiao, Yale University
Finalist: UB to replace sub-board I with faculty student association as student government fiscal agent by Tanveen Vohra and Jacklyn Waters, University at Buffalo
Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: 71 WCC students sue Rider for handling of choir college by Stephen Neukam, Rider University
Finalist: Fire in LA bathroom causes evacuation, confusion and multi-day building shutdown by Staff of The College VOICE, Mercer County Community College
Finalist: MCCC faculty association passes vote of no confidence in President Wang by Drew Mumich, Mercer County Community College
General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Local activist Clifford Ryan reflects on the teen violence thats scarred his community by Gabe Stern and Dan Lyon, Syracuse University
Finalist: Hofstra student claims letter allegedly written by music professor demonstrates sexual harassment by Madeline Merinuk, Hofstra University
Finalist: Student protest dean for representing Harvey Weinstein by Shera S. Avi-Yonah, Delano R. Franklin and Aidan F. Ryan, Harvard College
General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students
Winner: SJP disruption reignites bitter campus debate over Israel by Andrew Solender, Vassar College
Finalist: Unsustainable: IC budget model reliant on students by Madison Fernandez, Ithaca College
Finalist: Hate crime reported on campus by Bailey Morrison and Nadira Wicaksana, Framingham State University
In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Divestment activists renew efforts by Alexandra A. Chaidez, Michelle G. Kurilla, Luke W. Vrotsos and Amy Y. Li, Harvard College
Finalist: Venezuelas HIV crisis crosses the border by Patrick Ammerman, University of Pennsylvania
Finalist: What does justice mean? by Elena Rose, Penn State University
In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students
Winner: Caught in Rhode Island by College Hill Independent staff, Brown University
Finalist: A tale of two districts: History of Poughkeepsie schools by Tiana Headley, Vassar College
Finalist: Track and field head coach issues apology to team over alleged insensitive comments by Jordan Wolman, Julia DiRubbo, Olivia Abrams and Simona Shur, Lehigh University
Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Students who switched tickets escaped the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing by Jordan Muller, Syracuse University
Finalist: Cheating at Yale: Students get honest about academic dishonesty by Asha Prihar and Carly Wanna, Yale University
Finalist: PUNXSY 364 by Maddie Aiken, Penn State University
Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Friends Help Hearts Heal: Lehigh student writes a book about friendship during times of hardship by Julia Adelizzi, Lehigh University
Finalist: FSU alumnas journey to empowerment through fashion by Bailey Morrison, Framingham State University
General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Michelle I. Gao, Harvard College
Finalist: Jacklyn Waters, University at Buffalo
General Column Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Thomas Maye, Framingham State University
Finalist: Lizzy Stocks, Framingham State University
Finalist: Abby Tarwater, Vassar College
Sports Column Writing
Winner: Around the Ivies by Joseph W. Minatel, Harvard College
Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: The athlete advantage by Delano R. Franklin and Devin B. Srivastava, Harvard College
Finalist: Maddy Hertweck, a 5-year-old with cerebral palsy, is a part of Syracuse womens lacrosse this season by KJ Edelman and Molly Gibbs, Syracuse University
Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Finalist: Suckerpunch by Ana Faguy and Nick Karpinski, Saint Josephs University
Finalist: Sister sister: Soccer and studies run in the family by Hannah Edwards, Lehigh University
Finalist: Professor takes on youth football by Alex Blum, Muhlenberg College
Editorial Writing
Winner: Frankie Knuckles, Vassar College
Finalist: The Gatepost Editorial Board, Framingham State University
Finalist: The Crimson Editorial Board, Harvard College
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: Yale Daily News by Staff of Yale Daily News, Yale University
Finalist: The Harvard Crimson by Staff of The Harvard Crimson, Harvard College
Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Temple News by Staff of The Temple News, Temple University
Finalist: The Daily Pennsylvanian by Staff of The Daily Pennsylvanian, University of Pennsylvania
Finalist: The Hofstra Chronicle by Staff of The Hofstra Chronicle, Hofstra University
Magazines
Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: The neighborhood where nothing ever changes by Andrew W. D. Aoyama and Jane Z. Li, Harvard College
Finalist: Women in STEM by Izzy Manzo, Southern Connecticut State University
Finalist: The C-Word by Samantha Berlin, Syracuse University
Best Student Magazine
Winner: The Sustainability Issue by Staff of REFINE Magazine, Temple University
Finalist: Mixtape by Staff of Mixtape, Syracuse University
Finalist: University Girl by Staff of University Girl, Syracuse University
Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: 50 charged after The Game protest by Lukas Flippo, Yale University
Editorial Cartooning
Winner: Flamin Classics: MCCC style by Kristina Hontz, Mercer County Community College
Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Organization helps give youth on the wrong path a new chance by Emily Kenny, Syracause University
Finalist: Clean sweep by Ken Minamoto, Penn State University
Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Campus jungle by Jacob Waring, Southern Connecticut State University
Finalist: Isabella Manzos Mark of Excellence award entry by Isabella Manzo, Southern Connecticut State University
Finalist: Photographer develops film alongside sense of sentimental self by Am Chunnananda, Vassar College
General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Beto ORourke by Allison Rambler, Penn State University
Finalist: Keybank Rochester Fringe Festival by Jesse Wolfe, Rochester Institute of Technology
Finalist: Seating display humanizes Pan Am Flight 103 victims by Corey Henry, Syracuse University
General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: June Speakman sweeps primary by Kayla Ebner, Roger Williams University
Finalist: Will Alious Mark of Excellence award entry by William Aliou, Southern Connecticut State University
Finalist: Ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Henry Whittemore Library by Hannah Coco, Framingham State University
Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Little league world series champions by James Leavy, Penn State University
Finalist: Quarterback leap by Noah Riffe, Penn State University
Finalist: Upended by Caitlin Lee, Penn State University
Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Sports Roundup: Oct. 31 Womens rugby photo by Tiffany Trumble, Vassar College
Immersion Journalism
Immersion Journalism
Finalist: Waterfire by Risell Ventura, Teagan Staudenmeier, Morayo Ogunbayo and Jade Campos, Penn State University
Radio
Radio Feature
Winner: Flip the script: LGBTQ+ representation in media by Mandi Devers, Rowan University
Finalist: Seniors are embracing medical marijuana by Julia Rist, Fordham University
Finalist: Doing it wolf-style by Marina Kopf, Fordham University
Radio News Reporting
Winner: Dome improvement by Jonah Karp, Syracuse University
Finalist: Robin Lehner: A redemption by Chris Boccia, Fordham University
Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Jack & Lehner by Kenny Conrade, Hofstra University
Finalist: Cortaca jug football game open by Sevrin Lavenstein, Ithaca College
Finalist: The road back by Jonah Karp, Syracuse University
Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Fear and loathing in a New York nursing home by Shira Feder, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: Bronx Connections: Faces of gun violence by WFUV News Team, Fordham University
Finalist: Chief Kenton Buckner aims to improve relationship between police and community by Ford Hatchett, Syracuse University
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: WRHU Newsline Jan. 3, 2019 by Staff, Hofstra University
Finalist: WRHU Newsline April 2, 2019 by Staff, Hofstra University
Television
Television General News Reporting
Winner: Staying connected by Jack Arpey, Ithaca College
Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Active aging by Niamh McDonnell and Giulia Hjort, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: Seeds of resilience by Danielle Dindak, Penn State University
TV In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Falling into unpaid internships by Jillian Ford, Penn State University
Finalist: Beyond the ban by Kristen Mirand, Vaughn Golden, Madison Moore and Stephen Hechler, Ithaca College
Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Yabucoa baseballs new beginning by Brandon Pelter, Penn State University
Finalist: Pay per play by Shahar Golan and Karina Meier, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: Cornell hockeys misha song by Tara Lynch, Ithaca College
Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: Centre County Report in Puerto Rico by Centre County Report in Puerto Rico Staff, Penn State University
Finalist: 219West, Episode 73 by Staff of 219West, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Centre County Report: November 22, 2019 by Centre County Report Staff, Penn State University
Finalist: SCTV3 Newscast by SCTV3 Staff, Springfield College
Online
Online News Reporting
Winner: Funded but forgotten by Staff of NYCity News Service, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: Slipping through the cracks of the U.S.-Canada border by Graham Dickie and Raven Rentas, Syracuse University
Finalist: Center City: People without government-issued IDs pay a steep price to own their identity by Claire Wolters, Temple University
Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Ladies luck and bingo by Staff of NYCity News Service, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: The five-star, thousand-dollar post: Yelp Elite reviewers wield power in Syracuse by Allison Ingrum, Syracuse University
Finalist: Sweetening the climate change deal by Megan Falk, Syracuse University
Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Power struggle: Anticipating cyberattacks on the electric grid by Vaughn Golden and Tara Lynch, Ithaca College
Finalist: Borderlines by Staff of Borderlines, Syracuse University
Finalist: Climate countdown by Staff of NYCity News Service, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Online Sports Reporting
Winner: The pitchers life by Tyler King, Penn State University
Finalist: More than a marathon by Staff of NYCity News Service, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: The long game by David Eckert, Penn State University
Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: Counting sheep, permanent paths, challenging discussions by Cayla Keiser, Rochester Institute of Technology
Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: The Harvard Crimson by Staff of The Harvard Crimson, Harvard College
Finalist: The Daily Pennsylvanian by Staff of The Daily Pennsylvanian, University of Pennsylvania
Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: NYCity News Service by Staff of NYCity News Service, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: The NewsHouse by Staff of The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
Finalist: Rooted by Staff of The Rooted, Syracuse University
Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: How we heal by Staff of NYCity News Service, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Finalist: Syracuse Side Hustles by Staff of Syracuse Side Hustles, Syracuse University
Finalist: Heres what happened during the grad union strike today by Staff of The Harvard Crimson, Harvard College
Podcast
Winner: Syracuse Side Hustles by Staff of Syracuse Side Hustles, Syracuse University
Finalist: Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria | The Enchanted Forest by Will Derry, Penn State University
Finalist: Prickly politics: Women in the room by Kacie Candela and Andrew Seger, Fordham University
Videography
Online/Digital Feature Videography
Winner: Finding self by Maria Valdisera, Penn State University
Finalist: Laurel by Claire Going, Penn State University
Finalist: n. Serenity by Colin Davy, Syracuse University
Online/Digital Sports Videography
Winner: Fight back by Devin Nothstine, Levingston Lewis and Gabriel Kotico, Syracuse University
Finalist: Backbone by Matt Lingerman, Penn State University
Broadcast Feature Videography
Winner: Winter waves by Danielle Hyams and Frida Sterenberg, Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Broadcast News Videography
Winner: Puerto Ricos undisturbed coastline makes it a surfing mecca by Erin Johnson, Penn State University
Finalist: New owner for the historic Philips Hotel by Courtney Guiry, Penn State University
Broadcast Sports Videography
Winner: Hockey: Penn State sweeps Wisconsin by Will Desautelle, Penn 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.
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