CONTACT:
Lou Harry, SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards, 317-920-4786, lharry@spj.org
Zoë Berg, SPJ Communications Specialist, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 11 with 2021 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.

SPJ’s Region 11 comprises Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada and Mariana Islands. First-place winners competed at the national level among other regional MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.

National winners were notified in the late spring and will be recognized at the MediaFest22 convention in Washington, D.C., Oct. 27-30.

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 SPJ 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 cultural criticism, arts/fashion journalism and food/restaurant journalism.

Print/Online

Breaking News Reporting (Large)
Winner: House votes on removing, possibly impeaching Trump after mob attacks — by Sarah Oven, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism
Finalist: As cops testify on Capitol attacks, GOP lawmakers blast ‘sham’ inquiry — by Alyssa Marksz, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism

Breaking News Reporting (Small)
Winner: Outcome of campus safety hearing prompts criticism from students and faculty — by Carolyn Kuimelis, Santa Clara University
Finalist: University will hold in-person commencement event in June — by Jaydelle Herbert, University of La Verne

General News Reporting (Large)
Winner: Mine spill of 2014 continues to devastate Sonoran communities years later — by Clara Migoya, University of Arizona
Finalist: Korematsu Day rises from injustices of Japanese internment camps during WWII — by Ethan Kispert, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism
Finalist: Arizona’s aerospace and defense industry has close financial ties to Israeli security — by Emma Ascott, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism

General News Reporting (Small)
Winner: Pursuing social justice — by The Santa Clara staff, Santa Clara University
Finalist: A Journey from ruin to resilience: The Malibu community reflects on Woolsey — by Makena Huey, Pepperdine University
Finalist: Anti-Abortion freedom wall display creates discourse — by Samantha Torre, Pepperdine University

In-Depth Reporting (Large)
Winner: Little victims everywhere — by Cronkite News/Arizona PBS investigative team, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism
Finalist: Investigation of theater arts employee for lewd behavior, harassment — by James Domizio, Alex Fuller, Cass Stewart and Emma Malloy, Santa Rosa Junior College
Finalist: Neighbors hope for relief from crematorium smoke as COVID-19 deaths decrease — by Kevin Pirehpour, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism

In-Depth Reporting (Small)
Winner: Sexual Violence at SCU — by The Santa Clara staff, Santa Clara University

Feature Writing
Winner: 5 transgender military veterans discuss abuses, how political changes can alter lives — by Rachel Stapholz, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism
Finalist: Tree shortage leaves East Palo susceptible to climate change — by Jennah Haque, Stanford University
Finalist: The $2 drug that millions of patients aren't being told about — by Kat Kennedy, University of Arizona

Sports Writing
Winner: Last Chance Yuma: Thriving Arizona Western soccer program bonds a community — by Amiliano Fragoso, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism
Finalist: Rez ball rebirth in Chinle: Navajo Nation rebounds as pandemic takes its toll — by Gabrielle Ducharme, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism
Finalist: Talented alum embarks on a new adventure — by Xiomara Villarreal-Gerardo, Southwestern College

Editorial Writing
Winner: Opinion: Pepp changes its words but can’t change its history — by Alec Matulka, Pepperdine University
Finalist: Unsigned editorials — by The Southwestern College Sun staff, Southwestern College

General Column Writing
Winner: Haley Tenore columns — by Haley Tenore, Arizona State University

Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large)
Winner: The Southwestern College Sun — by Staff, Southwestern College
Finalist: The Collegian — by Staff, Fresno State
Finalist: The Corsair — by Staff, Santa Monica College

Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Small)
Winner: The Graphic — by Staff, Pepperdine University
Finalist: Campus Times — by Staff, University of La Verne

Best Student Magazine
Winner: Currents Magazine — by staff, Pepperdine University
Finalist: Etc. Magazine — by staff, City College of San Francisco

Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: The Graphic — by staff, Pepperdine University
Finalist: USC Dimelo — by staff, University of Southern California

Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: The State Press — by staff, Arizona State University
Finalist: The Los Angeles Loyolan — by staff, Loyola Marymount University
Finalist: Our America — by staff, California State University Fullerton

Art/Graphics/Multimedia

Breaking News Photography
Winner: Officer at Rittenhouse protest — by Jason White, Arizona State University
Finalist: Caldor Fire on critical night — by Aryk Copley, Santa Rosa Junior College
Finalist: BLM and WLM face off in Huntington Beach California — by Jonathan Putman, Santa Monica College

General News Photography
Winner: Jack Harlow at Inferno Fest — by Drake Presto, Arizona State University
Finalist: Pepperdine welcomes incoming Class of 2025 to Malibu — by Ali Levens, Pepperdine University
Finalist: COVID wince — by Luis Flores, Los Angeles valley College

Feature Photography
Winner: The drag show must go on: 4Some Revue adjusts to performing during pandemic — by Alina Nelson, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism
Finalist: Bearial: Stanford's big game traditions — by Ula Lucas, Stanford University
Finalist: Michael Little Crow portrait — by Alex Gould, Arizona State University

Photo Illustration
Winner: Altar de Femicidio — by Ji Ho Kim and Xiomara Villarreal-Gerardo, Southwestern College
Finalist: Are all opinions equal? — by Haley Hoidal, Pepperdine University
Finalist: Rams’ Reign continues with strong performances versus Las Positas and Santa Rosa — by Bob Kinoshita; Erin Blackwell, City College of San Francisco

Sports Photography
Winner: Men’s soccer: CSUN extends losing streak to 7 games — by Chris Torres, California State University, Northridge
Finalist: Pregame scream — by Jonathan Putman, Santa Monica College
Finalist: Men’s Basketball triumphs over Idaho State in home opener — by Dane Bruhahn, Pepperdine University

Editorial Cartooning
Winner: Cartoons — by Reed Steiner, Arizona State University

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: A community’s response: Reflections from the White Mountain Apache Tribe a year into the COVID-19 pandemic — by Alberton Mariani, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism
Finalist: As Americans roll up their sleeves, here’s how three COVID-19 vaccines compare — by Sarandon Raboin, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism
Finalist: National City entrepreneurs struggle to keep business afloat during COVID-19 pandemic (with podcast) — by Katia Pechenkina, Vicky Pineda, Gabriel Schneider, and Susana Serrano, San Diego City College

Broadcast/Online News Videography
Winner: Navajo Nation clings for survival — by Brenda Elizondo, California State University Fullerton
Finalist: CPP opens mass COVID-19 vaccination site — by Cathy Myers, Lauren Muttram, Cal Poly Pomona

Broadcast/Online Feature Videography
Winner: Koshio artist hike — by Sarandon Raboin, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism
Finalist: Delivering Hope: How those who’ve been there are fighting homelessness — by Miles Green and Kevin Hurley, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism
Finalist: The Academy Museum: Hollywood's newest star — by Aja Marshal, Santa Monica College

Broadcast/Online Sports Videography
Winner: Rush: Jackson He — by Drake Presto, Arizona State University
Finalist: Paradise Valley Community College softball player — by Zachary Keenan, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism

Data Visualization
Winner: Feminine hygiene products map — by Andrew Onodera, Arizona State University

Audio

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Why rideshare users in Arizona continue to see long waits and high prices — by Tyler Budge, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism
Finalist: Apache make emotional appeal to court to halt proposed copper mine — by Zach Keenan, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism

Radio Feature
Winner: Arizona’s RUF Nation puts Indigenous roots on display through combat athletics — by David Montoya, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Pinal County farmer struggles to grow crops with less water — by Emma VandenEinde, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: ‘You’re it!’ Local parkour athlete plays, commentates competitive tag — by Henry Greenstein, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism
Finalist: From Lil Wayne to Lauryn Hill, playlist helps Mercury find their vibe — by Kenneth Manoj, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism

Podcast
Winner: Chronic catastrophe — by Lauren A. Spates, Maritza Camacho, Nicholas Vides and Rebecca Bell, Santa Rosa Junior College
Finalist: The Listening Machine — by Jakob McWhinney, San Diego City College
Finalist: The New Normal, Part One — by Sonya Sheptunov, Arizona State University

Broadcast

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Water pipeline — by Katelyn Keenehan, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Comm
Finalist: Farmer discrimination — by Lauren Quinlan, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Comm
Finalist: Covid campus parties — by Jackie Gold, Chapman University

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: A COVID-inspired career change: From concrete to succulents — by Cassie Esparza, University of Southern California
Finalist: Indigenous oral history — by Faith Abercrombie, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Comm
Finalist: FilmBar saved — by Tyler Manion, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Comm

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: White Mountain Apache Covid — by McKenzie Allen-Charmley, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Comm
Finalist: Salt River horses — by Megan Newsham, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Comm
Finalist: Team coverage: Alec Baldwin set shooting — by Barbara Fox, Luca Evans, Chapman University

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Cronkite News/Arizona PBS — by staff, Arizona State University

Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: Our America — by staff, California State University Fullerton
Finalist: Chapman News — by staff, Chapman University
Finalist: Chapman News — by staff, Chapman University

All Platforms

Immersion Journalism
Winner: Barnstorming through barriers: The Katherine Cheung story — by JOVRNALISM staff, USC Annenberg
Finalist: Who we are: More than A survivor — by JOVRNALISM staff, USC Annenberg

Cultural Criticism
Winner: Columns — by Joshua Hernandez, Cal Poly Pomona

Arts/Fashion Journalism
Winner: Students share cheap and trendy Halloween costume ideas — by Lydia duPerier, Pepperdine University
Finalist: Interview with Student Academy Award winners — by Luca Evans and Kiana Favela, Chapman University

Food/Restaurant Journalism
Winner: Lamb to the slaughter — by Ike Allen, University of Southern California
Finalist: Revitalizing Indigenous foodways — by Sarah Wolfson, University of Southern California
Finalist: Fighting Koreatown's dining decline — by Maya Zeleski, University of Southern California

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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