CONTACT:
Heather Porter, Programs Coordinator, 317-927-8000 ext. 204
Beth King, Communications Manager, 317-927-8000 ext. 211

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the Region 10 Mark of Excellence Award winners for the 2006 calendar year. This year, collegiate journalists submitted more than 3,300 entries in 39 categories across SPJ’s 12 regions.

The honorees were awarded certificates on March 24 during the Spring Conference held at Gonzaga University. First place regional winners will advance to the national round of judging which takes place in early April. Winners will be announced in mid May.

For additional information on the Mark of Excellence Awards, please contact Heather Porter at 317-927-8000 ext. 204 or hporter@spj.org

The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. The organization is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.

2006 Region 10 Winners:

Breaking News Reporting
• First Place: Dan Traylor, Oregon State University, “One student dead, another missing in river crash”
• Second Place: Sam Taylor, University of Idaho, “Mubita guilty on all counts”
• Third Place: Gary Shane Raugust, Western Washington University, “Protesting in red”

General News Reporting
• First Place: Ashley Slocki, Oregon State University, “OSU cheerleading squad grounded”
• Second Place: Hartley Riedner, University of Idaho, “Trashy turf may end the party”
• Third Place: Holly Bowen, North Idaho College, “Controversy erupts in ASNIC”

In-Depth Reporting
• First Place: Manuel Valdes, University of Washington, “A Journey of Survival: The Oaxaca Connection”
• Second Place: Jessica Davis, Luis Lopez and Jessica Kauhi, Whitworth College, “Overlooked: A series examining those who do not come to Whitworth”
• Third Place: Ingrid Stegemoeller, Pacific Lutheran University, “AIDS: 25-year fight”

Feature Writing
• First Place: Manuel Valdes, University of Washington, “Even at home, soldier still looking for IEDs”
• Second Place: Andrew Miner, Oregon State University, “Holocaust survivor will share story tonight”
• Third Place: Sam Taylor, University of Idaho, “Learning safe sex the hard way”

Sports Writing
• First Place: Patrick Lewis, Central Washington University, “Andrews will be missed”
• Second Place: Andy Jones, Washington State University, “Baines making her long journey to success worthwhile”
• Third Place: Tony Holm, Centralia College, “Long provides inspiration for fledgling team”

Editorial Writing
• First Place: Tara Roberts, University of Idaho
• Second Place: Breanne Coats, Pacific Lutheran University
• Third Place: Nate Poppino, University of Idaho

Editorial Cartooning
• First Place: Terrence L. Nowicki, Jr., Western Washington University, “Editorial Cartoons”
• Second Place: Robert D. Adams, University of Oregon, “Political Cartoons”
• Third Place: Robert D. Adams, University of Oregon, “Editorial Cartoons”

General Column Writing
• First Place: Laura Zaichkin, Pacific Lutheran University, “Not much with the Damseling”
• Second Place: Corinne Strohbach, Centralia College, “Columns”
• Third Place: Amelia J. Veneziano, Washington State University, “My Two Cents”

Sports Column Writing
• First Place: Brandon Scheller, Washington State University, “Lassoing the Moon”
• Second Place: Tony Holm, Centralia College, “Sports Columns”
• Third Place: Brandon Scheller, Washington State University, “Good just isn’t good enough”

Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper (published at least 4 times per week)
• First Place: Staff, University of Oregon, “Oregon Daily Emerald”
• Second Place: Staff, Oregon State University, “The Daily Barometer”
• Third Place: no award

Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper (published less than 4 times per week)
• First Place: Staff, North Idaho College, “The Sentinel”
• Second Place: Staff, Pacific Lutheran University, “The Mast”
• Third Place: Staff, Whitworth College, “The Whitworthian”

Magazine Non-Fiction Article
• First Place: Meghan Piercy, University of Montana, “Manhunt for a Terrorist”
• Second Place: Katrin Madayag, University of Montana, “A Hero’s Story”
• Third Place: Zach Kyle, Western Washington University, “Untamed Alaska”

Best Student Magazine
• First Place: UM School of Journalism, University of Montana, “The Unabomber in Montana”
• Second Place: Staff, Western Washington University, “Klipsun Magazine”
• Third Place: Staff, University of Idaho, “Blot-Fall 2006”

Breaking News Photography
• First Place: Zac Goodwin, University of Oregon, “Tubing”
• Second Place: no award
• Third Place: no award

General News Photography
• First Place: Mark Malijan, Western Washington University, “Die-In”
• Second Place: Peter Chee, Oregon State University, “Students rally for rights”
• Third Place: Peter Chee, Oregon State University, “Honoring the Fallen”

Feature Photography
•First Place: Melissa Davlin, University of Idaho, “Different Dances”
• Second Place: Brett A. Patterson, Pacific Lutheran University, “Roberto the Magnificent”
• Third Place: Bruce Mann, University of Idaho, “Saturday’s Sour Note”

Photo Illustration
•First Place: Matt Lewis and Peter Strong, Oregon State University, “Mom’s Weekend Visit”
• Second Place: Sam Leinen and Jacob Greggory, Oregon State University, “NCAA National Championship”
• Third Place: Josh Woodbridge, North Idaho College, “Giving thanks in Utah”

Sports Photography
• First Place: Peter Strong, Oregon State University, “Beaver bring home national title from Omaha”
• Second Place: Matt Nicholson, University of Oregon, “Ducks sack Huskies”
• Third Place: John Castle, Oregon State University, “The Toppling of Troy”

Radio News Reporting
• First Place: Amanda Harris, University of Montana, “Opportunity Dust”
• Second Place: Melanie Overcast, University of Montana, “Fallen Soldier”
• Third Place: Jackie Bartz, University of Montana, “Democrats”

Radio Feature
• First Place: Jackie Bartz, University of Montana, “Gym Jitters”
• Second Place: Melanie Overcast, University of Montana, “Credit Card Debt”
• Third Place: Jackie Bartz, University of Montana, “S.A.D.”

Radio In-Depth Reporting
• First Place: News Team, University of Montana, “Rolling Stones Rock Missoula”
• Second Place: News Team, University of Montana, “Footbridge Forum: Lightning over Lolo Peak”
• Third Place: no award

Radio Sports Reporting
• First Place: Irina Svetlichnaya, University of Montana, “Lebsock Brothers”
• Second Place: Brandon Gondeiro, University of Montana, “Flag Football”
• Third Place: Irina Svetlichnaya, University of Montana, “Tinkle Takeover”

Radio Newscast
• First Place: Staff, University of Montana, “KBGA News and Sports”
• Second Place: no award
• Third Place: no award

Television Breaking News Reporting
no awards

Television General News Reporting
• First Place: Kerstin Lock and Aimee Velk, University of Montana, “Meth Research”
• Second Place: Kristine Jeske and Emilie Ritter, University of Montana, “West African Dance”
• Third Place: K’Lynn Sloan and Amber Bushnell, University of Montana, “Fly Casting Doctor”

Television Feature
• First Place: Ryan Coleman and Abby Stitt, University of Montana, “Stall Stories”
• Second Place: Heather Hintze and Matt Sampson, University of Montana, “Steamroller Prints”
• Third Place: Marcus Chebul and Aimee Velk, University of Montana, “Zoological Museum”

Television In-Depth Reporting
• First Place: Gabe Ferguson, University of Montana, “Butte Reborn: The Mining City in the 21st Century”
• Second Place: Class of 2006, University of Montana, “Montana’s Energy Puzzle”
• Third Place: 2007 Senior Class, University of Montana, “Anatomy of a Campaign”

Television Sports Reporting
• First Place: Cal Conrad and David Medina, University of Montana, “Dodgeball Fundraiser”
• Second Place: Eric Stadler and Dave Medina, University of Montana, “Fencing”
• Third Place: no award

Television News Photography
• First Place: Amber Bushnell, University of Montana, “Wilderness & Civilization Project”
• Second Place: Abby Stitt, University of Montana, “Opera Auditions”
• Third Place: no award

Television Feature Photography
• First Place: Matthew Sampson, University of Montana, “Omelette Guy”
• Second Place: Rebecca Sayre, University of Montana, “LAMBDA Dance”
• Third Place: no award

Television Sports Photography
• First Place: Dave Medina and Eric Stadler, University of Montana, “En Garde”
• Second Place: no award
• Third Place: no award

Television Newscast
• First Place: Staff, Pacific Lutheran University, “KCNS News @ 9”
• Second Place: no award
• Third Place: no award

Online News Reporting
• First Place: Michael Calcagno, University of Oregon, “Students evacuate after flooding”
• Second Place: Jessica Luppino, Pacific Lutheran University, “Take of tour of Tacoma’s newly renovated Stadium High School”
• Third Place: no award

Online Feature Reporting
• First Place: UM School of Journalism, University of Montana, “The Unabomber in Montana: Ten Years After”
• Second Place: Michael Calcagno, University of Oregon, “Thanksgiving Volunteering”
• Third Place: Jessica Luppino, Pacific Lutheran University, “A look at Wi-Fi hotspots in the South Sound”

Online In-Depth Reporting
no awards

Online Sports Reporting
no awards

Online Opinion & Commentary
no awards

Best Affiliated Web site
no awards

Best All-Around Independent Online Student Publication
• First Place: Extreme Alaska Staff, University of Alaska Fairbanks, “Extreme Alaska: Surviving the Cold Rush”
• Second Place: no award
• Third Place: no award

###