Region 9 Mark of Excellence Awards winners announced in New Mexico

Home > SPJ News > Region 9 Mark of Excellence Awards winners announced in New Mexico

4/18/2016

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 recognizes the 2015 Mark of Excellence Awards winners from Region 9. The MOE Awards honor the best of collegiate journalism from a calendar year.

SPJ’s Region 9 comprises Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Honorees received award certificates the weekend of April 16 at the Region 9 Spring Conference in Albuquerque, N.M. 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.

Entries 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 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 at least 10,000 students and small schools have 9,999 or fewer students.

See the list below for details on the Region 9 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: SCOTUS decision: please consider top left photo and 6th row far right photo - by Trevor Davis, MSU Denver

Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: American Indian potter hones in on family craft - by Michel Hansen, MSU Denver
Finalist: Twilight concert review: St. Vincent and Best Coast - by Chris Ayers, University of Utah
Finalist: Utah Ballet presents a performance to remember - by Kiffer Kreveling, University of Utah

Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: When the student no longer comes first, it’s time to go at last - by Ike Fredregill, Laramie County Community College
Finalist: Dancer - by Christopber Empson, Community College of Denver
Finalist: A little dirt never hurt - by Tamara Rodgers, Laramie County Community College

General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: All dogs go to heaven - by Ryan Costanzo, Utah State University
Finalist: Race for the Cure turns Auraria Parkway pink - by Michel Hansen, MSU Denver
Finalist: Immigration debate takes center stage at Turnhalle - by Michel Hansen, MSU Denver

General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Rock wall a place to test limits - by MaKenzie Beck, Northwest College
Finalist: Grizzlies in Wyoming - by Hananiah Aldrich, Northwest College

Photo Illustration (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Back to Signpost - by J. Michaela Funtanilla, Weber State University
Finalist: Wheres Waldo - by Michelle Nelson and Ariana Berkemeier, Weber State University
Finalist: When alone - by Autumn Mariano, Weber State University

Photo Illustration (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Staycation - by Taylor Snell, Laramie County Community College
Finalist: Slicing and dicing NWC's budget - by Sam Jones, Northwest College
Finalist: Rodeo is back - by Luisa Walter, Northwest College

Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Touchdown Aggies - by Kyle Todecheene, Utah State University
Finalist: Home safe - by Kylee Larsen, Utah State University
Finalist: Basketball-BYU - by Gabriel Cerritos, Weber State University

Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Sophomore bareback rider - by Schyler Allyn, Northwest College
Finalist: Taking the shot - by Cody Fox, Laramie County Community College
Finalist: Hard work pays off - by Tamara Rodgers, Laramie County Community College

Magazines
Best Student Magazine
Winner: Metrosphere Arts and Literary Magazine Volume 34 Issue 1 - by Metrosphere Arts and Literary Magazine staff and contributors, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Finalist: Horizon Magazine Dreams Issue - by Levi Meyer, Allison Ildefonso, Kira Norby, Michelle Starke, Colorado Mesa University
Finalist: The Star Journal of Excellence - by The Star, Journal of Excellence, Community College of Denver

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: Natascha Seideneck: A familiar face inspires new visions - by Heather Pastorius, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Finalist: CSU-Pueblo brings campus technology up to speed - by Keelan Bailey, Sara Knuth, Colorado State University-Pueblo

Newspapers
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Rocky Mountain Collegian - by The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Colorado State University

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Universe 2015: Serving the BYU community - by Universe staff, Brigham Young University
Finalist: The Signpost - by The Signpost, Weber State University

Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Big Blue impersonator allegedly scams community members - by Brenna Kelly, Utah State University
Finalist: Colorado Planned Parenthood “Pink Out” draws hundreds of supporters, protesters - by Mary-Kate Newton, MSU Denver
Finalist: Religion scholar protests BYU Honor Code - by Allie Arnell, Brigham Young University

Editorial Writing
Winner: Skyler Pyle - by Skyler Pyle, Weber State University
Finalist: Opinions from The Metropolitan - by Mary-Kate Newton, MSU Denver
Finalist: Wingspan Spring Staff 2015 - by Wingspan Staff, Laramie County Community College

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Skiing for the team - by Courtney Tanner, University of Utah
Finalist: Therapy helps BYU alum overcome eating disorder - by Izsie Robinson, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Adderall season - by Jeffrey Dahdah, Utah State University

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: When the student no longer comes first, it’s time to go at last - by Ike Fredregill, Laramie County Community College
Finalist: Former White House press secretary and CSU-Pueblo alumna returns to Pueblo - by Sara Knuth, Colorado State University-Pueblo
Finalist: 'Guardian' of education hangs up shield - by Ike Fredregill, Laramie County Community College

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: A Kitchen is just a kitchen; Becoming the stairmaster; Every little thing is gonna be alright - by Katherine Ellis, University of Utah
Finalist: Castles, Bronchitis and Scotland (oh My!); England by the book(s); The English they're just like us - by Emily Juchau, University of Utah
Finalist: General column writing - by Logan Jones, Utah State University

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: ASCSU fails to comply with constitutional requirements, does not make all records available - by Erin Douglas, Colorado State University
Finalist: Disillusioned millennials express opinions online but don't vote - by Ashley Lovell, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Where are we headed, Title IX? - by Jordyn Siemens, University of Colorado

General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Is your smartTV snooping on you? - by Torin Koos, Westminster College
Finalist: Salt Lake program teaches children graffiti to cultivate community - by Torin Koos, Westminster College

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: BYU women victimized by 'catfish' relationship deception - by Jenna Koford Bret Henkel Gianluca Cuestas, Brigham Young University
Finalist: College suicides and issue of concern - by Mariah Noble, Utah State University
Finalist: MSU Denver basketball coach DUI case - by Melanie J. Rice, Deanna Hirsch and Joella Baumann, MSU Denver

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Cultures and ethnicities at CSU-Pueblo - by CSU-Pueblo Reporting Public Affairs staff, Colorado State University-Pueblo
Finalist: Are taxpayers being taken for a ride with GREENbike? - by Torin Koos, Westminster College
Finalist: Third time's not a charm - by Erica Klimt, Laramie County Community College

Sports Column Writing
Winner: Memories of The Metropolitan Sports team - by Mike Tolbert, Robert Kemp and Keenan McCall, MSU Denver
Finalist: Sports column writing - by Logan Jones, Utah State University
Finalist: Sports column writing - by Charles Bowker, Weber State University

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: All eyes on Keeton - by Logan Jones, Utah State University
Finalist: Athletes grad rate - by Marcus Jensen, Weber State University
Finalist: Basketball's Thomas Akyazili enjoying the American life - by Alissa Noe, University of Colorado

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Former Pack player lands spot on coaching staff - by Kieren Duncan, Colorado State University-Pueblo
Finalist: Utah's Mayerhofer wins title on first day of NCAA Championships - by Torin Koos, Westminster College
Finalist: Big goals in Bonner's future - by Zach Hillstrom, Colorado State University-Pueblo

Online
Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: The Rocky Mountain Collegian - by The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Colorado State University
Finalist: The Signpost - by Staff, Weber State University

Best Digital-Only Student Publication
Winner: CU Independent - by CU Independent staff, University of Colorado
Finalist: New Mexico News Port - by News Port Team, University of New Mexico
Finalist: The Star Journal of Excellence - by Editors, Community College of Denver

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Henry's journey - by Ismael Ortega, Laurena Davis, Mike Wiggens, Colorado Mesa University
Finalist: CSU-Pueblo basketball alumnus's life cut short - by Dustin Cox, Colorado State University-Pueblo
Finalist: Your money, your vote: all you need to know - by CU Independent staff, University of Colorado

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: BYU students help preserve ancient culture of Peru's Uros Islands - by Donovan Baltich, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Standing Out: Being an African-American athlete at CU - by Ellis Arnold, University of Colorado
Finalist: BYU nursing students teach health in Ecuador - by Lucy Schouten, Brigham Young University

Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Prison relocation commission weighs support and opposition - by Megan Kennedy, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Creative New Mexico: Depth coverage of Albuquerque's emerging tech scene - by New Mexico News Port's Creative New Mexico Team, University of New Mexico

Online News Reporting
Winner: Curious New Mexico - by New Mexico News Port's Curious New Mexico Team, University of New Mexico
Finalist: Immigration rally puts forth message of acceptance and action - by Sarah Farley, Alexis Clark, Danny Anderson, University of Colorado
Finalist: Missing CU student had ‘spiritual awakening,’ personal life changes before disappearance - by Ellis Arnold, University of Colorado

Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: Kaley LaQuea opinion writing - by Kaley LaQuea, University of Colorado
Finalist: McPeak's McPolitics - by Emily McPeak, University of Colorado
Finalist: Looking at the Paris Tragedy from a Muslim student perspective - by Sabiha Masud, University of Utah

Radio Broadcast
Radio Feature
Winner: A Day In The Life Of A Marijuana Dispensary - by Tony White, Metropolitan State University Denver

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Water Is Life - by Christina Rodriguez, University of New Mexico

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Interview with new MSU Denver Athletic Director Dr. Anthony Grant - by Anthony Rodriguez, Stephen Priest and Brandon Stowell, MSU Denver
Finalist: Vic Lombardi Interview - by Stephen Priest and Brandon Stowell, MSU Denver

Television Broadcast
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Aggie TV News - by A-TV Staff Spring 2015, Utah State University
Finalist: ElevenNEWS at Noon: November 2, 2015 - by ElevenNEWS staff, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Cache Rendezvous Holiday Edition - by A-TV Staff, Utah State University

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Teddy Bear lady - by Lily Checketts, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Rabbit hole world record... Accomplished! - by Miranda McHodgkins, MSU Denver
Finalist: Putting the Agriculture back in Aggies - by Sarah Winder, Utah State University

Television General News Reporting
Winner: Integrity report - by Katie Ryan, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Proposition one - by David Snell, Brigham Young University
Finalist: MSU Denver's 50th Anniversary Celebration - by Miranda McHodgkins, MSU Denver

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Woodburning ban - by Eric Mock, Brigham Young University

Television News and Feature Photography
Winner: Wheelchair Ballroom Dancing - by Jeffrey Dahdah, Utah State Universtiy

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: MSU Denver Men's Basketball season preview - by Anthony Rodriguez, MSU Denver
Finalist: Social media and sports - by Chelsea Fairbourn, Brigham Young University
Finalist: Who is Tanner Mangum? - by Clara Goodwin, Brigham Young 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 Sigma Delta Chi Foundation.

-END-