CONTACT:
Lou Harry, SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards, 317-920-4786, lharry@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 3 with 2020 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.

SPJ’s Region 3 comprises Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other regional MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.

National winners will be notified in the late spring and will be recognized at SPJ’s national conference.

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 3 winners. If you have any questions regarding the MOE Awards, contact Manager of Publications and Awards Lou Harry by email or 317-920-4786.

This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries. New MOE categories were added this year for COVID-19 and video game reporting.

Newspaper

Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Mac Donald ignites controversy with ‘diversity in education’ - by Calen MacDonald, Anjali Huynh, Emory University

General News Reporting
Winner: Resident advisors overwhelmed by newfound obligations, university’s insufficient response - by Anjali Huynh, Caelan Bailey, Emory University
Finalist: School bus drivers feel endangered during COVID-19 pandemic - by Sophie Feinberg, University of Florida
Finalist: 'Absolute disaster' - by Jessa Reid Bolling, University of Alabama

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: The Gun Edition - by Staff, Florida A&M University
Finalist: 'A miserable life': Campus service employees allege widespread mistreatment, abuse - by Isaiah Poritz, Emory University
Finalist: COVID-19 and the impact on Athens bars - by Anila Yoganathan, University of Georgia

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Former AU medical resident sues for discrimination and defamation - by Emily Garcia, Augusta University
Finalist: Environmental migration: The other hurricane that hit Puerto Rico - by Luis Joel Méndez González, University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: ‘Sometimes it’s like we’re not there’: Black students reflect on exclusion in Greek community - by Joseph King, Javon Williams, University of Alabama
Finalist: FIU student who helped organize a Black Lives Matter protest hopes to keep momentum going - by Nicole Forero, Florida International University
Finalist: Serving, transitioning, living: the struggles of Rose de la Espriella - by Kristen Grau, Florida Atlantic University

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Berry TikTok-er claims fame with creativity - by Taylor Corley, Berry College
Finalist: Out and proud on Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day - by Jamison Guice, Jana Morning, Berry College
Finalist: Stay ‘woke:’ antiracism and allyship is not a performance - by Jamison Guice, Zander Carver, Berry College

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Johnson's jersey to be retired - by Caleb Wood, The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Finalist: Making history - by Hanna Cooper, Troy University

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: From soccer player to XC runner, AU’s Taylor has perfect season in imperfect 2020 - by Carlos Rodriguez, Augusta University
Finalist: Justus Edwards shares positives on road to recovery - by Timothy Belin, Taylor Corley, Berry College

Editorial Writing
Winner: The Independent Florida Alligator's COVID-19 editorials - by Zachariah Chou, University of Florida
Finalist: The Emory Wheel Editorial Board - by Staff, Emory University
Finalist: Rebalance Books; Presidential election; Change comes from within - by Editorial Board, University of Alabama

General Column Writing
Winner: Brammhi's ballot - by Brammhi Balarajan, Emory University

Sports Column Writing
Winner: Iron Bowl, Steve Sarkisian, hotels - by Alexander Plant, University of Alabama
Finalist: Callahan's Corner - by Ryan Callahan, Emory University

Best All-Around Student Newspaper
Winner: The Emory Wheel - by Staff, Emory University
Finalist: The Red & Black - by Staff, University of Georgia
Finalist: Money, Election, Bridging the Gap - by Staff, University of Alabama

Magazine

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: Hundreds of Venezuelans stranded in the United States - by Valeria Venturini, Florida International University
Finalist: She's in the room where it happens - by Annie Hollon, University of Alabama
Finalist: The Women's Issue - by Staff, Florida A&M University

Best Student Magazine
Winner: Alice — The Action Issue - by Alice, University of Alabama
Finalist: District in Bloom - by Staff, Savannah College of Art and Design
Finalist: Nineteen Fifty-Six — Inspiring Firsts - by Nineteen Fifty-Six, University of Alabama

Art/Graphics

Breaking News Photography
Winner: Tear gas at protest - by Taylor Gerlach, University of Georgia
Finalist: Protests erupt in Atlanta - by Matthew McConnell, Berry College
Finalist: Campus protest ignites desire for social justice - by Alex Liscio, Florida Atlantic University

General News Photography
Winner: Photos of Miami protest are engrossing and frightening - by Yasser Marte, Florida International University
Finalist: Justice for injustice - by Hannah Saad, University of Alabama

Feature Photography
Winner: Distraction Magazine - by Gianna Sanchez, University of Miami
Finalist: Braids for days - by Nailah Anderson, University of Miami

Photo Illustration
Winner: Election Edition - by Camille Black, Garrett Kennedy, University of Alabama

Sports Photography
Winner: FAU defeats UMass, finishing perfect at home under Willie Taggart’s inaugural season - by Alex Liscio, Florida Atlantic University
Finalist: Tyshaun Crawford dunks in the Augusta’s win over rival USC Aiken ... - by Carlos Rodriguez, Augusta University
Finalist: Classic Shot - by Hannah Saad, University of Alabama

Editorial Cartooning
Winner: Standing band, The 6-ft strategy; A Southern autumn - by Dior Brown, Troy University

Radio

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Formerly incarcerated women speak out on voting rights for Florida felons - by Amber Amortegui, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Finalist: Bad ballots - by Meleah Lyden, Alex DeLuca, University of Florida

Radio Feature
Winner: 'Swamp Therapy' hikes aim to connect South Floridians to the Everglades - by Maria Esquinca, University of Miami
Finalist: Election memorabilia - by Anthony Montalto, University of Florida
Finalist: Faith is not the building - by Chris O'Brien, University of Florida

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: The history of Chinese immigrant workers in Alabama - by Daisy Leng, Troy University
Finalist: Ginnie Springs - by Valerie Lyons, University of Florida

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Pink Dragon Ladies - by Gabriela Mercurio, University of Florida

Television

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Election Day turnout live shot - by Will Volk, University of South Carolina
Finalist: Pandemic vs sports - by Staff, University of Florida

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Ocoee Massacre - by Hasley Pitman, University of Florida
Finalist: Palos Verdes Lake dissapears - by Brady Talbert, Troy University
Finalist: UM campus Trumpification - by Julia Hecht, University of Miami

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Faith is not the building - by Chris O'Brien, University of Florida
Finalist: Drive-thru South Carolina State Fair - by Will Volk, University of South Carolina
Finalist: Dr. Armen Henderson, defender of the homeless - by Tre'Vaughn Howard, Gianna Sanchez, University of Miami

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: 4 days, 5 murders - by Chris O'Brien, University of Florida

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Beyond the finish line - by Victor Prieto, University of Florida
Finalist: Dobbs' dream - by Cameron Dobbs, University of Miami

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: NewsVision: Oct. 29, 2020 - by Jenna Weiss, Spencer Askinazy, Ben Ezzy, Tyler Walsh, University of Miami
Finalist: WUFT NEWS First at Five - by Staff, University of Florida
Finalist: Carolina News: Feb. 24, 2020 - by Staff, University of South Carolina

Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: The forgotten city - by Staff, University of Florida
Finalist: COVID-19: A UMTV Special Presentation (May 06, 2020) - by Ben Ezzy, Justin Stevens, Gianna Sanchez, Michelle Ng-Reyes, University of Miami

Online

Online News Reporting
Winner: Parking garage outside your bedroom? It’s possible for this Gainesville neighbor - by Natalia Galicza, University of Florida
Finalist: Meet the elderly Republican voter whose ballots Florida rejected more than anyone’s - by Meleah Lyden, Alex DeLuca, University of Florida
Finalist: Exclusive: Owners of landmark Florida beach restaurant under US tax evasion investigation - by Melissa Hernandez, University of Florida

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Caring for the homeless, physically and mentally - by Maiya Mahoney, Flagler College
Finalist: An athlete with cerebral palsy hopes his athletic journey will encourage others with CP to try sport - by Alexus Barnhart, Flagler College
Finalist: Wildlife protection: Sea turtles struggle as Florida continues to grow - by Kayla McManama, Flagler College

Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Moment that love, life was lost after tragic crash: ‘She did not make it, OK?’ - by Stephany Matat, University of Florida
Finalist: Coming to America: It's not like the movie - by Francesca Bentley, Spelman College
Finalist: UF researchers turn to sewage to monitor COVID-19 on campus - by Marlowe Starling, University of Florida

Online Sports Reporting
Winner: Looking for guys who throw no-hitters? Go West. - by Noah Syverson, Berry College
Finalist: Coach's kids: Life behind the Saturday night lights - by Aiyana Ishmael, Florida A&M University
Finalist: Seminoles stumble in opener - by Maya Ellison, Florida A&M University

Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: Opinion and commentary - by Lauren Piskothy, Flagler College

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Uncensored: being young and Black in America - by AIyana Ishmael, Madeline Smith, Mia Uzzell, Florida A&M University
Finalist: A total freefall: Gainesville sinkhole showcases cracks in geology and government systems alike - by Natalia Galicza, Ava Loomar, University of Florida
Finalist: Protesters from Berry share motivations, complications behind calling for racial justice - by Grace Snell, Berry College

Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: redandblack.com - by Staff, University of Georgia
Finalist: Distraction Magazine - by Staff, University of Miami

Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: Viking Fusion - by Staff, Berry College
Finalist: Flagler College Gargoyle - by Staff, Flagler College
Finalist: South Florida Media Network - by Staff, Florida International University

Videography

Broadcast News Videography
Winner: Door to disaster - by Joseline Donoso, University of Florida

Broadcast Feature Videography
Winner: Beyond the finish line - by Victor Prieto, University of Florida
Finalist: Step class - by Brady Talbert, Troy University
Finalist: David France embraces radical empathy in the making of 'Welcome to Chechnya' - by Paige Mathieson, Rebecca Wolfe, Savannah College of Art and Design

Broadcast Sports Videography
Winner: Saints weather the storms - by Victor Prieto, University of Florida

Video Game Reporting

Video Game Reporting
Winner: Video game developers — Overworked, Underpaid, in Trouble - by Paul Lombardo, University of Florida

Podcast

Podcast
Winner: Four days, five murders - by WUFT, University of Florida
Finalist: COPD patients get hands-on care to avoid the hospital - by Amber Amortegui, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Finalist: Wheel talk - by Gabriella Lewis, Cailen Chinn, Isaiah Poritz, Madison Bober, Emory University

COVID-19

COVID-19: Newspaper, Magazine and Online Coverage (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: April 2020 special issue - by Staff, University of Georgia
Finalist: 17 anesthesiologist residents, fellow at University Hospital contract virus after private party - by Lauren E. Johnson, University of Florida
Finalist: COVID obituaries - by Beatriz de la Portilla, Laura Antunez, Bianca Marco, Alejandra Marquez Janse, Florida International University

COVID-19: Newspaper, Magazine and Online Coverage (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Isolated and misinformed: My aftermath regarding coronavirus - by Luis Joel Méndez González, University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo
Finalist: The Beacon Today covers Covid-19 from all angles - by Staff, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Finalist: Wrapping up a crazy year: How COVID-19 has impacted small businesses - by Abby Bittner, Flagler College

COVID-19: Video Coverage
Winner: COVID vs a college town - by Staff, University of Florida
Finalist: High school football during the coronavirus pandemic - by Will Volk, University of South Carolina
Finalist: TROY TrojanVision News: Social Distancing Edition - by Staff, Troy University

COVID-19: Digital (Still) Photography
Winner: Back to school during COVID - by Taylor Gerlach, University of Georgia


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