CONTACT:
Lou Harry, SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards, lharry@spj.org
Kimberly Tsuyuki, SPJ Communications Specialist, ktsuyuki@hq.spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 11 with 2023 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.

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

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 11 winners. If you have any questions regarding the MOE Awards, contact SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards Lou Harry by email.

This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries.


Print/Online

Breaking News Reporting (Large)
Winner: Cal Poly Pomona provost abruptly 'fired' after 18-month term — by Matthew Acosta, Christie Counts, The Poly Post, California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
Finalist: Stanford president resigns over manipulated research, will retract at least three papers — by Theo Baker, The Stanford Daily, Stanford University
Finalist: Illegal marijuana dispensary next to El Camino raided by police — by Ethan Cohen, The Union, El Camino College

Breaking News Reporting (Small)
Winner: Bon Appétit workers push administrators to help in wage fight — by Anabel Martinez, Brandi Peters, Campus Times, University of La Verne
Finalist: ‘Tragedy impacts us all’: Pepperdine community mourns loss of four students — by Samantha Torre, The Graphic, Pepperdine University

General News Reporting (Large)
Winner: Tessier-Lavigne research investigation and reporting on retractions — by Theo Baker, The Stanford Daily, Stanford University
Finalist: El Camino out of compliance with state law to prevent opioid overdose deaths — by Kim McGill, The Union, El Camino College
Finalist: MMIP task forces are given years to solve a problem centuries in the making — by Alexis Waiss, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

General News Reporting (Small)
Winner: The cancel culture conversation: Controversy is just a click away — by Liza Esquibias, Currents, Pepperdine University
Finalist: Non-tenure track faculty declare unionization effort — by Amy Carlyle, Chris Benis, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University
Finalist: Faculty, staff to receive 2% raise amid 7.9% inflation — by Kelli Makenna Kuttruff, Campus Times, University of La Verne

In-Depth Reporting (Large)
Winner: Paying to be unpaid: The cost of unpaid internships — by Madeline Nguyen, State Press Magazine, Arizona State University
Finalist: Leaks, HVAC problems plague new buildings — by Emily Ingco, The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College
Finalist: Security Director — by Shiloh Johnston, Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, David Rowe, Li Khan, The Citizen, Laney College

In-Depth Reporting (Small)
Winner: Future of January interterm — by Samira Felix, Brittany Snow, Sarah Van Buskirk, Campus Times, University of La Verne
Finalist: ‘A Lack of Creativity’: An investigation into Pepperdine’s relationship with solar energy — by Ali Levens, The Graphic, Pepperdine University

Feature Writing (Large)
Winner: Marching to the beat: SDSU’s Marching Aztecs redefine college band tradition — by Ryan Kehl, The Daily Aztec, San Diego State University
Finalist: SRJC’s 30-second commute — by Michael Combs, The Oak Leaf News, Santa Rosa Junior College
Finalist: SRJC student survives jump off Golden Gate Bridge and is thankful at second chance — by Michael Combs, The Oak Leaf News, Santa Rosa Junior College

Feature Writing (Small)
Winner: Local houses go all out for Halloween — by Kelli Makenna Kuttruff, Campus Times, University of La Verne
Finalist: New President Mahdavi shares personal, presidential plans — by Samira Felix, Sarah Van Buskirk, Campus Times, University of La Verne
Finalist: The sweet archives of the Candy Wrapper Museum — by Taylor Moore, La Verne Magazine, University of La Verne

Sports Writing (Large)
Winner: 25 years later: Behind Bryce Drew's 1998 buzzer beater were the unknowns of March Madness — by Noah Furtado, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Pancake blocks to pancake stacks: Eating 'a chore' for offensive linemen — by Logan Stanley, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: A gambler's paradise? For some, the industry's extreme growth leads to addiction and worse — by Sam Stern, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

Sports Writing (Small)
Winner: ‘You’re going to lose anyway’: Asian American athletes face stereotypes across sports — by Jerry Jiang, The Graphic, Pepperdine University
Finalist: Embracing adversity: Noah Taitz’s journey back to the court — by Khassim Diakhate, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University
Finalist: How are the heads in the game — by Madi Smith, The Santa Clara, Santa Clara University

Editorial/Opinion Writing
Winner: Opinion writing — by Aaron Stigile, The State Press, Arizona State University
Finalist: Editorials — by Editorial Board, Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Finalist: Opinion writing — by Mia Osmonbekov, The State Press, Arizona State University

General Column Writing
Winner: Columns — by Sierra Benayon-Abraham, Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Finalist: Columns — by Rudy Goldman, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University
Finalist: Columns — by Kim McGill, The Union, El Camino College

Sports Column Writing
Winner: Let's Talk About It — by Amani Rivers, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University
Finalist: Sam Settles it — by Sam Settleman, Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles

Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large)
Winner: The Corsair — by Staff, The Corsair, Santa Monica College
Finalist: UCLA Daily Bruin — by Staff, Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Finalist: Daily Forty-Niner — by Staff, Daily Forty-Niner, California State University, Long Beach

Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Small)
Winner: The Graphic — by Staff, The Graphic, Pepperdine University

Best Ongoing Student Magazine
Winner: The Oak Leaf Magazine — by Staff, The Oak Leaf News, Santa Rosa Junior College
Finalist: Daily Sundial Magazine — by Staff, Daily Sundial Magazine, California State University, Northridge
Finalist: The Universal Language — by Staff, SCene Magazine, University of Southern California

Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: UCLA Daily Bruin — by Staff, Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Finalist: The Union — by Staff, The Union, El Camino College
Finalist: Pepperdine Graphic — by Staff, Pepperdine Graphic Media, Pepperdine University


Art/Graphics/Multimedia

Breaking News Photography
Winner: The Southwestern College Sun — by Ailyn Dumas, The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College
Finalist: District police respond to mental health crisis on campus — by Sean Young, The Oak Leaf News, Santa Rosa Junior College
Finalist: SAG-AFTRA Arizona members rally as part of national strike for TV, film worker protections, wages — by Kiersten Edgett, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

General News Photography
Winner: A moment to grieve — by Emil Rizkalla, The Roundup, Los Angeles Pierce College
Finalist: Abortion pill ban protester — by Caylo Seals, The Corsair, Santa Monica College
Finalist: In plain sight: As students sleep, UCLA bakeries turn on the ovens — by Anna Dai-Liu, Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles

Feature Photography
Winner: Opinion: ASU's football performance is disappointing fans — by Anthony Cavale, The State Press, Arizona State University
Finalist: Headbanging at the Glass House — by Amanda Torres, Campus Times, University of La Verne
Finalist: A night of music, art and community: Pacific Sounds returns — by Sammie Wuensche, The Graphic, Pepperdine University

Photo Essay/Slideshow
Winner: The streets of East L.A. — by Daniela Raymundo, The Bull Magazine, Los Angeles Pierce College
Finalist: Gone AWOL: Living in an RV dwelling in Los Angeles — by Caylo Seals, The Corsair, Santa Monica College
Finalist: Mexico’s women fight femicide — by Ailyn Dumas, The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College

Illustration
Winner: Here’s listening to you kid — by Edmundo Godinez, The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College
Finalist: Women's History Month — by Zasha Hayes, Daily Sundial, California State University, Northridge
Finalist: Black pioneers in music — by Zasha Hayes, Daily Sundial, California State University, Northridge

Photo Illustration
Winner: Report me, I’m gay — by Laney Norman, The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College
Finalist: California Bears at Stanford Stadium — by Kyle Garcia Takata, Anita Liu, Christian Yates, The Daily Californian, University of California, Berkeley
Finalist: Brittany Joyner is in her Edwardian era — by Abby Wilt, The Graphic, Pepperdine University

Sports Photography
Winner: Football vs. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps — by Nareg Agopian, Campus Times, University of La Verne
Finalist: The Sun Devils hit the road to face No. 5 ranked Huskies — by Calvin Stewart, The State Press, Arizona State University
Finalist: Soccer action — by Benjamin Hanson, The Roundup, Los Angeles Pierce College

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: A symbol of freedom: How LMU secured a piece of the Berlin Wall — by Kylie Clifton, Jack Raese, Fernanda Vega, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University
Finalist: Ken Koshio marks three years of hiking Piestewa Peak every day — by Amber Victoria Singer, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Finding Grandma Joyce — by Samantha Chow, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

News Videography
Winner: A parking disaster at Point Dume: Tourists and residents struggle with on-and-off road closures — by Abby Wilt, The Graphic, Pepperdine University
Finalist: Women's March for Reproductive Rights — by Quinn Alexander, Daily Sundial, California State University, Northridge
Finalist: America after Roe: Helping mothers — by Trilce Estrada Olvera, Carnegie-Knight News21, Arizona State University

Feature Videography
Winner: Pulse: The Culture Fest Documentary — by Drake Presto, The State Press, Arizona State University
Finalist: Az Saber gives Star Wars fans 'A New Hope' — by Aahir Ghosh, The State Press, Arizona State University
Finalist: The love bench — by Nathan Kuczmarski, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University

Data Visualization
Winner: Working it out: Which gym has less traffic? — by Junwon Choi, Jessica Nguyen, Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles


Audio

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Burning the forests — by Kiersten Edgett, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: TrojansforPalestine Student Walkout — by Isa Johnson, Annenberg Media, Annenberg Radio News, University of Southern California
Finalist: Heat deaths — by Deanna Pistono, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

Radio Feature
Winner: Outrigger community — by Kiersten Edgett, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Celebrate Latine Heritage Month all year long on Olvera Street — by Erika Driscoll, Annenberg Media, Annenberg Radio News, University of Southern California
Finalist: Paying caregivers — by Deanna Pistono, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: AZ horse racing in flux — by Austin Hepola, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

Podcast (Narrative)
Winner: Inside Objectivity — by Autriya Maneshni, Cronkite ASU, Arizona State University
Finalist: Blue Valentine — by Chloe Mendoza, Helena Getahun-Hawkins, The Stanford Daily, Stanford University

Podcast (Conversational)
Winner: Oak Leaf Gaming Podcast — by Jesus Lopez Cruz, Sam Guzman, Jonathan Cangson, Javi Rosas, The Oak Leaf News, Santa Rosa Junior College
Finalist: Voices of the Newsroom — by Coleman Standifer, Amy Carlyle, Kylie Clifton, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University
Finalist: The Graph — by Staff, The Graphic, Pepperdine University


Broadcast

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Tustin hangar fire — by Alexandra Coenjaerts, Tess Martinelli, Sophy Acosta, Gavin Nguyen, Chapman News, Chapman University
Finalist: LAX Israeli arrivals — by Ava Domenichelli, Beach TV News, California State University, Long Beach
Finalist: Kaiser Permanente strike — by Michelle Roldan, Foothill Community News, University of La Verne

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Fentanyl crisis — by Raya Torres, Beach TV News, California State University Long Beach
Finalist: Little Arabia signage — by Luis Avila, Alyson Gonzalez, Chapman News, Chapman University
Finalist: Relocating rattlesnakes — by Tabitha Bland, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Outrigger connections — by Tabitha Bland, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Boxing dean — by Maryssa Rillo, Annenberg Media, Annenberg TV News, University of Southern California
Finalist: The horse behind a famous USC mascot — by Cam Kauffman, Annenberg Media, Annenberg TV News, University of Southern California

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Sweltering Saguaros — by Danny Stipanovich, Jason Marmon, Seungshin Seo, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Saddleback Church — by Claire Weber, Megan Sun, Kinsley Rolph, Chapman News, Chapman University
Finalist: El Paso migrants — by Miriam Ordonez, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: The Anthony Robles story — by Noelle Blumel, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Worries about wagers — by Jack Pierson, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: Robinson going for gold — by Beatriz Martinez, Cronkite News, Arizona State University

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Beach TV News — by Staff, Beach TV News, California State University, Long Beach
Finalist: Chapman News — by Staff, Chapman News, Chapman University

Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: Arizona Oasis — by Staff, Cronkite News, Arizona State University


All Platform

Arts/Entertainment/Fashion Journalism
Winner: The cultural reset of the cowboy boot and other fashion trends — by Gwen Soriano, The Poly Post, Cal Poly Pomona
Finalist: Frame by frame: ASU animators draw their imaginations into reality — by Fatima Gabir, State Press Magazine, Arizona State University
Finalist: Fashion and beauty series — by Erik Charlotte VonSosen, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University

Campus Reporting
Winner: Jacob Wheeler and Michael Melinger report on USC campus news — by Jacob Wheeler, Michael Melinger., Annenberg Media, Annenberg TV News, University of Southern California
Finalist: Pi Kappa Phi fraternity to return to UCLA following disbanding — by Dylan Winward, Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Finalist: USG adjourns meeting early over physical and verbal disruptions from outside protest — by Phineas Hogan, Alysa Horton, The State Press, Arizona State University

Cultural Criticism
Winner: Lang Lang at Bing: A review by a pianist and a non-pianist — by Aya Aziz and Peyton Lee, The Stanford Daily, Stanford University
Finalist: Columns — by Natalie Agnew, Lex Wang, Graciana Paxton, Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Finalist: Arts reviews — by Vivian Schafbuch, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University

Food/Restaurant Journalism
Winner: Food on campus series — by Athena Cheris, The Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University
Finalist: Yelp's best local eats — by Jolaya Gillams, Chapman News, Chapman University
Finalist: Their Japanese restaurant closed during the pandemic; now they’re back with a new Korean twist — by Raphael Richardson, Warrior Life, El Camino College

Investigative Reporting
Winner: Investigation into potential research misconduct under University president — by Theo Baker, The Stanford Daily, Stanford University
Finalist: The Citizen: Investigative reporting on district contracts and spending — by Staff, The Citizen, Laney College
Finalist: Pepperdine Ambassadors Council invetigation — by Samantha Torre, The Graphic, Pepperdine University

Regional Political Reporting
Winner: Santa Ana recall — by Luis Avila, Alyson Gonzalez, Chapman News, Chapman University
Finalist: UC community members call for systemic change, action against caste discrimination — by Shaanth Kodialam Nanguneri, Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles

Retail/Small Business Journalism
Winner: Lucky Stars Market: A community built on diversity and a love for vintage fashion — by Serena Neumeyer, The Daily Aztec, San Diego State University
Finalist: Orange County Black-owned salon — by Imanni Wright, Collin Gaja, Chapman News, Chapman University
Finalist: Soul Land Lab — by Bella Leach, Chapman News, Chapman University

Science/Environment/Climate Reporting
Winner: Montana youth climate trial — by Kate Selig, The Washington Post, Stanford University
Finalist: Prayer run — by John Leos, Nellija Locmele, Tyler Bender, Megan Swing, Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: A wall runs through it — by Trilce Estrada Olvera, Makepeace Sitlhou, Hakob Karapetyan, Cronkite News, 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.

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