Contacts:

Matthew Kent, SPJ Program Coordinator, 317-920-4788, mkent@spj.org
Ashlynn Neumeyer, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317-361-4133, aneumeyer@spj.org


INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 2 with 2019 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.

SPJ’s Region 2 comprises Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. 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 2 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. New MOE categories this year include Immersion Journalism, Data Visualization and Collaborative Journalism.

Newspapers

Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Hashmi’s election draws racist comments on Facebook – by Hannah Eason and Sravan Gannavarapu, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Officials working to address racist Snapchat post from sorority president’s account – by Lizzie Mintz and Shannon Mallard, George Washington University
Finalist: Southview fire – by Staff, James Madison University

Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Car damaged by gunfire outside of Elon’s Chabad House – by Staff, Elon University

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: In one VA city, 93 opioid pills a year for every resident – by Andrew Riddler and Sravan Gannavarapu, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Under the travel ban, some UMD students from Iran haven’t seen their families in years – by Carmen Molina Acosta, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Racist Snapchat prompts Phi Sigma Sigma members to leave sorority – by Lizzie Mintz, George Washington University

General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students
Winner: Elon is set to join the Common Application – by Abby Gibbs, Elon University
Finalist: Students react to police pepper spray incident following homecoming tailgate – by Ky’Aire Goode, University of North Carolina Pembroke

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: More than a year after Maria Fisher’s death, her loved ones still search for answers – by Christine Condon, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: We placed heat sensors in every UMD dorm without A.C. Here’s what we found. – by Angela Roberts, Matt McDonald and Rosa Pyo, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Students allege poor quality of care, inadequately trained staff at health center – by Shannon Mallard, George Washington University

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students
Winner: Redefining gender roles in Rwanda – by Cammie Behnke, Elon University
Finalist: Mississippi ICE raids – by Hannah Denham, Washington and Lee University
Finalist: ‘Not a single drop more’: The indigenous struggle for cultural survival in Brazil – by Rafael Lima, Wake Forest University

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: For some women at last week’s protest, removing their shirts meant taking back control – by Victoria Ebner, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Database chronicles 400 years of Virginia House of Delegates – by Rosemarie O’Connor, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Murals of northwest D.C. – by GW Hatchet Culture, Video, George Washington University

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: A Texas-size mart’s road to fame – by Hannah Denham, Washington and Lee University

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Max Foley-Keene, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Zachary Jablow, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Hannah Thacker, George Washington University

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Nick Cross didn’t play high school until high school. Now he stars for Maryland’s secondary. – by Andy Kostka, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: From Rice, to VCU, to the big dance, Rhoades and Evans make no excuses – by Noah Fleischman, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Eli Crognale, the youngest in a soccer-filled family, has made his own name at Maryland – by Eric Myers, University of Maryland, College Park

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Club hockey’s one female player is turning heads for all the right reasons – by Amanda Gibson, Elon University
Finalist: AD Christy talks student-athlete compensation – by Mike McGuinness, University of North Carolina Pembroke
Finalist: Soccer records two shutout victories, Braves are now 14-4 – by Zachary Young, University of North Carolina Pembroke

Editorial Writing
Winner: The GW Hatchet Editorial Board, The George Washington University
Finalist: Tagwa Shammet, Virginia Commonwealth University

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Pendulum – by Staff of The Pendulum, Elon University
Finalist: The GW Hatchet – by Staff of The GW Hatchet, George Washington University
Finalist: The Pine Needle – by Staff of The Pine Needle, University of North Carolina Pembroke

Magazines

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: Vibrant light – by Abby Church, James Madison University
Finalist: Virginia’s immigration court backlog among largest in nation – by Georgia Geen, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Black women far more likely than whites to die giving birth – by Arianna Coghill and Kaytlin Nickens, Virginia Commonwealth University

Best Student Magazine
Winner: The University Times Magazine – by Staff of The University Times Magazine, Trinity College Dublin
Finalist: Ink Magazine – by Staff of Ink Magazine, Virginia Commonwealth University

Art/Graphics

Breaking News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Photos: Crowds swarm Nationals Park to celebrate team’s World Series victory – by Jack Borowiak, George Washington University
Finalist: Richmond Virginia crowds celebrate Democrat win – by Jon Mirador, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Westboro Baptist Church protest – by Alexandra Zernik, Virginia Commonwealth University

Data Visualization
Winner: White supremacy movements spark rise in religion-based hate – by Saffeya Ahmed, Virginia Commonwealth University

Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Jab jab: Tia Jablonsky fights to go pro in MMA competitions – by Ashley Sanchez, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: God’s Gouda: Sisters in Albemarle County make cheese – by Erin Edgerton, Virginia Commonwealth University

Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: L’Esprit – by Clare Grant, Elon University
Finalist: Fifth Alamance Pride Festival 2019 – by Anton L. Delgado, Elon University

Editorial Cartooning
Winner: Alexandra Bowman, Georgetown University
Finalist: Haoran Li, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Sammy Newman, Virginia Commonwealth University

General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: United by frustration, hundreds of UMD students join global climate strike in Washington, D.C. – by Julia Nikhinson, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: Students gather for midnight remembrance of Richard Collins on his 26th birthday – by Julia Nikhinson, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger urges people to get involved in political process – by Erin Edgerton, Virginia Commonwealth University

Photo Illustration (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: A killing on campus: Following the trial for ex-UMD student accused of stabbing Richard Collins – by Hannah Gaskill and Julia Nikhinson, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: We placed heat sensors in every UMD dorm without A.C. Here’s what we found. – by Julia Nikhinson, University of Maryland, College Park

Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Gymnastics earns first meet win of the season – by Graeme Sloan, George Washington University
Finalist: Touchdown denied – by Tristan Lorei, James Madison University
Finalist: Hovering around .500, Maryland baseball believes it’s “really close” to a breakthrough – by Joe Ryan, University of Maryland, College Park

Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Volleyball Reaction - by Thomas Denome, Elon University

Immersion Journalism

Immersion Journalism
Winner: Surviving a school shooting – by Anton L. Delgado, Elon University

Radio

Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: Carolina Connection – Feb. 9, 2019 – by Staff of Carolina Connection, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Radio Feature
Winner: Richmond’s first women’s theatre festival puts female stories at center stage – by Evie King, Virginia Commonwealth University

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: A series of crimes near campus is raising questions about student safety – by Patsy Montesinos, Jackson Lanier, Savannah Norris and Brian Keyes, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Students say THC vaping products are common in some local high schools – by Jared Weber, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Finalist: Is this Silent Sam? UNC officials won’t say – by Charlotte Ix and David Saff, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Finalist: Counter-protestors drown out Westboro Baptist messages of hate, Virginia Commonwealth University

Television

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Fire starters: Local effort aims at tackling the problem of juvenile fire starters – by Kathryn Brown and Joe Ilardi, University of Maryland
Finalist: Holocaust remembrance – by Cambria Haro, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Finalist: JMU furniture made in prisons – by Anna Saunders, James Madison University

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Student walkout: Hundreds of local students walk out in support of gun control – by Joe Ilardi, University of Maryland
Finalist: California wildfires – by Margaret Faust, Elon University
Finalist: Southview fire – by Staff, James Madison University

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Peter Norton – by Cambria Haro, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Finalist: Renaissance Festival meet Bobo – by Jack Norcross, Elon University
Finalist: Sweet redemption: Baltimore baker helps formerly incarcerated people re-enter work force – by Max Marcilla, University of Maryland

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: The valley life: Barber shops of Harrisonburg – by David Ramirez and Staff, James Madison University
Finalist: Pinpointing the opioid epidemic – by Liam Collins, Elon University

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Jake Lawler – by Cambria Haro, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Finalist: Stephanie Watts’ comeback – by Alanna Pyrtle, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Finalist: Big win for girls basketball in small town – by Jimmie Johnson III, Washington and Lee University

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: ELN | Full broadcast | Sept. 30, 2019 – by Grace Morris, Elon University
Finalist: State election newscast – by Staff, James Madison University
Finalist: Rockbridge Report, Nov. 21, 2019 – by Staff of Rockbridge Report, Washington and Lee University

Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: VCU InSight newscast – by Katrina Tilbury, Virginia Commonwealth University

Online

Online News Reporting
Winner: Rape cases in Virginia often go unsolved – by Anna Madigan, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: As vaping illnesses mount, officials warn of dangers of e-cigarettes – by Georgia Geen, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Navy veteran recalls his encounter with D.C. snipers – by Georgia Geen and Pedro Coronado, Virginia Commonwealth University

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Tail of the Dragon attracts thrill-seekers, motoring enthusiasts – by Oliver Fischer, Elon University
Finalist: Skill-based slot machines put a touch of Las Vegas at the local bar – by Emily Holter and Benjamin West, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Farms feed food banks to fight hunger – by Kathleen Shaw and Corrine Fizer, Virginia Commonwealth University

Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Sex ed is key to reducing teen pregnancy, advocates say – by Hannah Eason and Emma North, Virginia Commonwealth University
Finalist: Demolishing the dam – by Alison Murtagh, Caroline Blackmon and Sutton Travis, Washington and Lee University

Online Sports Reporting
Winner: ‘Every day it’s a struggle’: One year later, Jordan McNair’s death is still raw – by Andy Kostka, University of Maryland, College Park

Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: Elon News Network – by Staff of Elon News Network, Elon University

Collaborative Journalism

Collaborative Journalism
Winner: Uprooted: The faces of the Venezuelan crisis – by Uprooted Staff, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Podcast

Podcast
Winner: Little bus of horrors: Halloween 2019 at UMD – by Staff of The Diamondback, University of Maryland, College Park
Finalist: The impeachment inquiry of Donald J. Trump – by Staff, American University
Finalist: CarolinaCast: Sustainable fashion in the triangle – by Margaret Cullum and David Saff, University of Carolina-Chapel Hill

Videography

Online/Digital News Videography
Winner: Students counter-protest demonstration against abortion rights – by Danny Schapiro, George Washington University
Finalist: Justice for Jamal: Trump administration faces deadline to apply sanctions after Khashoggi murder – by Max Marcilla, University of Maryland

Online/Digital Feature Videography
Winner: The faces of the march – by ViewFinder Team, University of Maryland
Finalist: Daily crisis farm – by Alicia Cherem and Heather Kim, University of Maryland

Broadcast Feature Videography
Winner: Maryland teen runs her own nonprofit Adaptive Style – by Cameron Doney, University of Maryland
Finalist: One local artist is ditching the canvas for bathroom stalls – by Lauren Moses, University of Maryland
Finalist: Local Maryland airport in battle with Dept. of Transportation over federal funds – by Max Marcilla, University of Maryland

Broadcast News Videography
Winner: Take a walk through Centreville’s opioid haunted house – by Carly Haynes, University of Maryland
Finalist: Harford County police train to respond to mental health calls – by Caitlyn Mateik and Liam Harrington, University of Maryland

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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