Region 1 Mark of Excellence Awards winners announced in New Haven, Conn.

Home > SPJ News > Region 1 Mark of Excellence Awards winners announced in New Haven, Conn.

4/11/2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Abbi Martzall, SPJ Awards Coordinator, (317) 920-4791, awards@spj.org
Maggie LaMar, SPJ Communications Coordinator, (317) 920-4785, mlamar@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists gladly recognizes the 2015 Mark of Excellence Awards winners from Region 1. The MOE Awards honor the best of collegiate journalism from a calendar year.

SPJ’s Region 1 comprises Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. Honorees were recognized the weekend of April 9 at the Region 1 Spring Conference in New Haven, Conn. First-place winners will move on to the national MOE competition among category winners from the 12 SPJ regions.

National winners will be notified in the late spring and will be recognized at Excellence in Journalism 2016, Sept. 18-20 in New Orleans. The awards are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience.

The awards honor the best in student journalism. As such, judges were directed to choose only those entries which they felt were outstanding work worthy of such an honor. If the judges determined that none of the entries rose to the level of excellence, no award was given. Any category not listed has no winner.

School divisions are based on student enrollment, which includes both graduate and undergraduate enrollment: Large schools have more than 10,000 students and small schools have fewer than 9,999 students.

See the list below for details on the Region 1 winners, and direct any MOE Awards questions to Awards Coordinator Abbi Martzall.

Note: The list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award-entry process.

Art / Graphics

Breaking News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. participates in demonstration - by Christopher Cameron, Stony Brook University
Finalist: Arrival of the Pope - by Caity Kramer, Penn State
Finalist: Wishes, hope for Paris - by Jennifer Kerrigan, Temple University

Editorial Cartooning
Winner: Mai-Linh Ton Cartoons - by Mai-Linh Ton, Harvard College
Finalist: Sociopolitical issues at Yale University - by Annelisa Leinbach, Yale University

Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: New agreement spares Sacramento urban harm tended by migrants - by Madeline Lear, Harvard College
Finalist: The Genesee River Killer - by Cindy Roblero, Rochester Institute of Technology
Finalist: Deven Jackson - by Hannah Byrne, Penn State

Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: A student meets a new feathered friend - by Brad Leuchte, Framingham State University
Finalist: Welcome new students - by Darian O'Donnell, Framingham State University
Finalist: Catalyst for change - by Rebecca Castagna, Quinnipiac University

General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Bras for a cause - by Stephanie Distasio, Penn State
Finalist: MLK Day of Action, Resistance, & Empowerment March - by Brianna Spause, Temple University
Finalist: A search for justice - by Jennifer Kerrigan, Temple University

General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Pittsburgh greets presidential potential - by Claire Murray, Duquesne University*

Photo Illustration (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Freaky fears and fascinating phobias - by Kelsey Skutnik, Rochester Institute of Technology
Finalist: Lacrosse guide 2015 - by Frankie Prijatel, Syracuse University
Finalist: Basketball preview - by Margo Reed, Temple University

Photo Illustration (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: A day in the life: Zaid Hearst - by Rebecca Castagna, Quinnipiac University
Finalist: Intruder alert - by Emily Kelley, Rider University
Finalist: Truce - by Thomas Regan, Rider University

Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Airborne - by John Baranoski, Penn State
Finalist: Intensity - by Mingue Cheng, Penn State
Finalist: Cut, divided, still holding on - by Kara Milstein, Temple University

Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Women's Rugby takes on West Chester - by Rebecca Castagna, Quinnipiac University

Magazines

Best Student Magazine
Winner: The Taboo Issue - by Reporter Staff, Rochester Institute of Technology
Finalist: Off the Bluff Magazine - by Off the Bluff Magazine staff, Duquesne University*
Finalist: Departures - by Skyler Inman, Anna Russo, Ivy Sanders Schneider, Yale University

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: American Spirit on the Housatonic - by Maya Averbuch, Yale University
Finalist: Boxed in - by Xander Landen, Tufts University
Finalist: The Harvard condition - by Mariel A. Klein, Harvard College

Newspapers
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: Yale Daily News - by The Staff of the Yale Daily News, Yale University
Finalist: The Harvard Crimson - by The Crimson Staff, Harvard College
Finalist: The Daily Orange - by The Daily Orange, Syracuse University

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Daily Free Press - by The Daily Free Press Staff, Boston University
Finalist: The Fordham Ram - by The Fordham Ram, Fordham University
Finalist: The Duquesne Duke, Duquesne University - by The Duquesne Duke Staff, Duquesne University*

Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: WATCH: Protesters demand Farahi’s resignation at rally - by Rebecca Panico, Kean University
Finalist: Students demand admin response to racial controversies - by Noah Daponte-Smith, Victor Wang, Monica Wang, Yale University
Finalist: Breaking the AAU national sexual assault survey - by Teo Armus, Dan Garisto, Columbia University

Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: #TheThreePercent: National Action on Campus Racism - by Sarah Zheng, Sofie Hecht, Evan Sayles, Liam Knox, Tufts University
Finalist: Fatal accident takes student's life - by Angela Mauroni, Allegheny College*
Finalist: Fire breaks out in Bedford - by James Jaskolka, Wilkes University

Editorial Writing
Winner: The Crimson editorial board - by The Crimson Editorial Board, Harvard College
Finalist: Film/We've been heard/Rider's on the Storm - by Alexis Schulz, Rider University
Finalist: The Gatepost editorial - by The Gatepost Editorial Board , Framingham State University

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: The Kings of Dixwell Avenue - by Maya Averbuch, Yale University
Finalist: Record keeper - by Taylor Clayton, Penn State
Finalist: Constructively occupied - by Emma Platoff, Yale University

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: An angel's vision - by Danielle DiStefano, Lehigh University
Finalist: On losing family and finding a new home at post - by Maxime Devillaz, LIU Post
Finalist: A Raymond Ave. staple, My Market considers student needs - by Claire Standaert, Vassar College

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Words, words, words - by Idrees M. Kahloon, Harvard College
Finalist: Paris, privacy, procedurals - by Boen Wang, The Pennsylvania State University
Finalist: Matthew Gutierrez's business column - General Column Entry 1 - by Matthew Gutierrez, Syracuse University

General Column Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Sara Pisak: Three columns - by Sara Pisak, Wilkes University
Finalist: If I do say so myself - by Rebekah Devorak, Duquesne University*
Finalist: Are we adults?; Politeness; Namaste: Smile - by Harry Pearse, LIU Post

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Mental health on campus - by Mario Marroquin Jennifer Meyers Marley Paul Meg McLaurin , Penn State
Finalist: Trump flaunts Wharton degree, but his college years remain a mystery - by Dan Spinelli, University of Pennsylvania
Finalist: Paris attacks - by Clare Ramirez, Syracuse University

General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: This shouldn't happen here - by Max Denning, Ithaca College
Finalist: Arrested student fights for justice - by Kaye Burnet, Duquesne University*
Finalist: Assistant art director resigns amid controversy; President Leahy: "We are not a museum" - by Sarah Bedford, Wilkes University

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Harassment at SAE and its fallout - by Nicole Narea, Yale University
Finalist: Facing the system - by Sara DiNatale, University at Buffalo
Finalist: In Dunster, a search for BGLTQ support - by Noah J. Delwiche, Ivan B. K. Levingston, Harvard College

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Does Greek life perpetuate rape culture? - by Becca Bednarz, Lehigh University
Finalist: On reporting sexual assault - by Adriana Gallina, Fordham University
Finalist: Towers Hall Council President resigns after controversial posts - by Sara Silvestro, Framingham State University

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: God of the playing field - by Caleb Lee, Samuel E. Liu, Ali M. Monfre, Harvard College
Finalist: The hardest hit - by Garrett Ross, Penn State
Finalist: Under new coach, five quit men’s soccer - by Daniela Brighenti, Yale University

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: She's a keeper - by Shanna O'Mara, Rider University
Finalist: From the Broncs' Zoo to UFC octagon - by Thomas Albano, Rider University
Finalist: From the depths of prejudice, Cooper rose above - by Julian Routh, Duquesne University*

Online

Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: The Harvard Crimson Website - by The Crimson Staff, Harvard College
Finalist: The Daily Orange - by The Daily Orange, Syracuse University
Finalist: Yale Daily News - by The 2015 Online Team of the Yale Daily News, Yale University

Best Digital-Only Student Publication
Winner: PhiladelphiaNeighborhoods.com - by Staff, Temple University
Finalist: NY City Lens - by NY City Lens, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Finalist: Reporter's Mobile App - by Joe Jankowiak; Samuel Shiffman, Rochester Institute of Technology

Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: The NewsHouse - by The NewsHouse Staff, Syracuse University
Finalist: Scienceline - by The Staff of Scienceline, New York University
Finalist: TU South Africa & the quality of life 20+ years after apartheid - by Staff, Temple University

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Boots on the ground: ROTC at Harvard - by Andrew M. Duehren, Emma K. Talkoff, Madeline R. Lear, Harvard College
Finalist: SURVEY RESULTS | Racial climate, policy changes - by David Shimer, Erica Pandey, Yale Daily News Staff, Yale University
Finalist: What is home? - by NYU Studio 20, New York University

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Twenty-Six Point Two - by NYCity News Service Staff, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
Finalist: Thousands Ready for first city sanitation exam since ‘07 - by Cole Rosengren, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism

Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Crime & campus - by The Temple News Staff, Temple University
Finalist: The missing - by NYCity News Service Staff, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
Finalist: Counterfeit ed - by NYCity News Service Staff, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism

Online News Reporting
Winner: The missing - by NYCity News Service Staff, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
Finalist: Counterfeit ed - by NYCity News Service Staff, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
Finalist: Without a badge - by NYCity News Service Staff, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism

Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: The revolving door: Why our dorm security isn’t enough to keep students safe - by Megan Fleming, Pennsylvania State University
Finalist: Reflections on meeting Desmond Tutu - by Staff, Temple University
Finalist: Matthew Gutierrez's business column - Online Opinion Entry 1 - by Matthew Gutierrez, Syracuse University

Online Sports Reporting
Winner: Moving beyond the arc - by James Badas, Ashley Wu, Peter Chung, Raleigh Capozzalo, Yale University
Finalist: 2015: The year of the female athlete - by CUNY Sports Report Staff, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
Finalist: In Cuba, baseball is more than just a sport, it is a passion and a way of life - by Madeline Shutt, Penn State

Radio Broadcast

Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: Aaron Zufall Newscast- 8/28/15 - by Aaron Zufall, Riley Ludwig, Ithaca College
Finalist: Newsline - Winter Storm Juno - January 26, 2015 - by Alyssa Duspiva Joe Corbisiero Tiffany Vellis Joy Jones , Hofstra
Finalist: WFUV Newscast 11/4/15 - by Rob Palazzolo, Fordham University

Radio Feature
Winner: Cayuga's watchers - by Kelli Kyle, Elena Piech, Riley Ludwig, Ithaca College
Finalist: Nuyorican bike culture - by Jack D’Isidoro, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
Finalist: Rolling With the radicals - by Kristina Atienza, King's College

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: UnCharted territory for a Brooklyn school - by Levi Sharpe, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
Finalist: Whatever happened to hope: Egyptian youth post-revolution - by Shaza Walid, The American University in Cairo
Finalist: Geographic disparities in liver transplants - by Karen Shakerdge, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Breast density notification dilemma - by Karen Shakerdge, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
Finalist: Hidden costs of food delivery - by Jack D’Isidoro, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: ACEing Autism Through Tennis - by Neil A. Carousso , Hofstra
Finalist: What's Dwayne Wade worth? - by Mark Stein, Princeton University
Finalist: He's kicking out doubt and scoring big - by Elissa Candiotti, Syracuse University

Television Broadcast

Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Centre County Report, November 20, 2015 - by Centre County Report Staff, Penn State University
Finalist: Brooklyn College News 2015- Broadcast 2 - by Stephanie Ramsarup, Linda Herrera, Courtney Knuckles, Nelson Rolon , Brooklyn College (CUNY)
Finalist: News 7@5:30 - by Ryan Jenot Adam Donnelly, Lyndon State College

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Woman struck, killed at Downtown Crossing T Station - by Catherine Casey and Amelia Fabiano, Emerson College
Finalist: Brutal brawl between teen girls goes viral - by Moriah Stephens Ashley Schwartz, Brooklyn College
Finalist: CitrusTV News Syracuse University Lockdown Report - by Lauren Anderson, Carling Mott, Meghan Mistry, Jessica Mendelson, Syracuse University

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Pick a peck of pumpkins - by Jess Arnold, Yang Hong, Penn State University
Finalist: Tricia Fabbri: The best that (almost) never was - by Jon Alba, Quinnipiac University
Finalist: Michael Harney, "Sam Healy" talks everything "Orange Is the New Black" - by Priscilla Ligouri, Angelina Salcedo, Catherine Casey, Emerson College

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Sexual assault on campus: An ongoing issue - by Samantha Lantz, Penn State University
Finalist: TUTV Presents: A Papal Visit to Philadelphia - by Melissa Steininger; Rebeccah Hendrickson; Alex Petyerak; Josh Cimboll , Temple University
Finalist: Local syrup makers face sticky situation - by Keith Zubrow, Syracuse University

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Kickbacks to comeback: Joe Ganim and the Bridgeport Mayoral Election - by Catherine Casey, Emerson College
Finalist: In Morocco, Muslims and Jews study side-by-side but for how long? - by Madeline Gressel, Zoe Lake, Siyi Chen, and Kelsey Doyle, New York University
Finalist: PA budget impasse - by Jordan Tracy, Penn State University

Television News and Feature Photography
Winner: Olczyk Means Business - by Scott Cikowski, Tyler Feldman, Penn State University

Television Sports Photography
Winner: Streaks over: Quinnipiac ends Marist’s MAAC dominance and clinches NCAA Tournament spot - by Jon Alba, Andrew Badillo, Quinnipiac University
Finalist: Patriots Super Bowl XLIX Victory Parade highlights - by Priscilla Liguori, Angelina Salcedo, Catherine Casey , Emerson College

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: WEBN's Inside the Grapefruit League 2015 - by Isaac Moore and Jim Cain, Emerson College
Finalist: Red Sox Kids Corner - by Catherine Casey and Maggie Smolka, Emerson College

*Note: Allegheny College and Duquesne University actually are part of SPJ's Region 4. However, they were mistakenly entered and judged this year for Region 1, which includes central and eastern Pennsylvania.
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. For more information about SPJ, please visit www.spj.org.

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