Region 11 Mark of Excellence Awards winners announced in Phoenix, Ariz.

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5/2/2016

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 recognizes the 2015 Mark of Excellence Awards winners from Region 11. The MOE Awards honor the best of collegiate journalism from a calendar year.

SPJ’s Region 11 comprises Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada. Honorees received award certificates the weekend of April 30 at the Region 11 Spring Conference in Phoenix, Ariz. 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 11 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: USAC Election - by Aubrey Yeo, UCLA
Finalist: Brice Harris appoints new special trustee - by Khaled Sayed, City College of San Francisco
Finalist: CSU faculty members rally for higher salaries - by Clayton Wong, California State University, Fullerton

Breaking News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Pomona Fire - by Karla Rendon, University of La Verne
Finalist: Faculty votes against calling for Veitch's resignation - by Jeremy Bloom, Occidental College
Finalist: Pilot crashes at Brackett Field - by Karla Rendon, University of La Verne

Editorial Cartooning
Winner: Donald Trump, Star Wars, Mariana Hannaman - by Natalie Goldstein, California State University, Fullerton
Finalist: The Sun editorial cartoons - by Michelle Phillips, Southwestern College
Finalist: The Sun editorial cartoons - by Dan Cordero, Southwestern College

Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: With story headlined night of resident artists features a wide variety of performances - by Jorge Villa, El Camino College
Finalist: Parkour ascends at City College - by Alysia Thompson, City College of San Francisco
Finalist: Phoenix pigeons - by Courtney Pedroza, Arizona State University

Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Nathan Gonzalez portrait - by Kristina Bugante, University of La Verne
Finalist: The beast is flamed - by Jolene Nacapuy, University of La Verne
Finalist: Phis get pied - by Jolene Nacapuy, University of La Verne

General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Black Lives Matter - by Hannah Ye, UCLA
Finalist: March for justice - by Gegham Khekoyan, Los Angeles City College
Finalist: Story headline: Legendary football coach will retire after 31 years with the program - by John Fordiani, El Camino College

General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Arrest for public intoxication - by Karla Rendon, University of La Verne
Finalist: Mourners honor attack victims - by Kristina Bugante, University of La Verne

Photo Illustration (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Technological meltdown - by Alberto Calderon Luz Aramburo, Southwestern College
Finalist: Results announced for Associated Students executives, board of directors - by Mike Trujillo, California State University, Fullerton
Finalist: Students sleep on streets - by Ande Richards, Beatrice Alcala, Los Angeles City College

Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: CSUF homecoming spoiled by UC Riverside - by Winnie Huang, California State University, Fullerton
Finalist: 49er women's soccer team falls to rival Fullerton, 1-0, in Big West tournament final - by Michael Ares, Cal State Long Beach
Finalist: UCLA v. Stanford Football - by Aubrey Yeo, UCLA

Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Football team breaks La Verne records on way to historic season, 2nd Series - by Helen Arase, University of La Verne
Finalist: Kingsmen splash past Leopards in overtime - by Jolene Nacapuy, University of La Verne
Finalist: Be perfect volleyball tournament - by Jolene Nacapuy, University of La Verne

Magazines
Best Student Magazine
Winner: Collegian Times - by Staff, Los Angeles City College
Finalist: el sol magazine - by el sol staff, Southwestern College
Finalist: La Verne Magazine, University of La Verne - by Staff, University of La Verne

Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: Making a killing: An investigation of South Africa’s shark industry - by Diana Crandall, University of Southern California
Finalist: Photographer gets his shot - by Clinton Cameron, Los Angeles City College
Finalist: Street level - by Kevin Truong, UCLA

Newspapers
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Daily Bruin, Mar. 9, Oct. 9, Dec. 7 - by Daily Bruin Staff, UCLA
Finalist: The Daily Titan, California State University Fullerton - by Daily Titan staff, California State University, Fullerton

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: Aztec Press - by Aztec Press Staff, Pima Community College
Finalist: The Panther - by The Panther staff, Chapman University
Finalist: The Occidental Weekly - by The Occidental Weekly, Occidental College

Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Costa Rica: Bribri culture under threat - by Rebecca Gibian, Diana Crandall, University of Southern California
Finalist: CSULB mourns study abroad student killed in Paris - by Kevin Flores, Miranda Andrade-Ceja, Yasmin Cortez, Amy Patton, Cal State Long Beach
Finalist: Valley Fire hits close to home - by Catherine Ramirez, Santa Rosa Junior College

Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Flames engulf Pomona building - by Jolene Nacapuy Cody Luk, University of La Verne
Finalist: Faith and Ferguson second event addresses #blacklivesmatter - by Katie Callahan, Point Loma Nazarene University

Editorial Writing
Winner: The State Press - Editorial Writing - by Editorial Board, Arizona State University
Finalist: UCPath, BruinAlert - by Daily Bruin Editorial Board, UCLA
Finalist: Los Angeles Collegian editorials - by Ande Richards, Lee Graybill and Hector Lopez, Los Angeles City College

Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Incarceration to vonvocation - by Jessie Lau , University of California, Berkeley
Finalist: Head-on collision - by Alberto Calderon, Southwestern College
Finalist: Trippin' in Brazil - by Lee Graybill, Los Angeles City College

Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Stoned, sober and all that’s in between: students speak out on drug use at Oxy - by Charlotte Umanoff and William Stupp, Occidental College
Finalist: All hail Dick Dale: The King of Surf Guitar - by John Flynn, Santa Clara University
Finalist: Kan you dig it: Korver leads young volleyball team - by Clif Cody, Occidental College

General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Bugaboos, creepers, stalkers and scrubs; Media hacks childhood innocence; No shame in starting small - by Domanique Crawford, Santa Rosa Junior College
Finalist: Sex and The Sun - by Alyssa Pajarillo, Southwestern College
Finalist: The Common Issue - by Stephanie Stanziano, California State University Northridge

General Column Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Slauson girl speaks - by Tina Sampay, Humboldt State University
Finalist: TopKnots: The latest fashion travesty, Santa Clara has no school spirit, Kanye West’s shift In focus - by Eddie Solis Jr., Thomas Curran-Levett, John Flynn, Santa Clara University

General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Light shed on a dark matter - by Zoe Kleinfeld , University of California, Berkeley
Finalist: Colleagues, students rip automotive professor - by Andrew Dyer, Southwestern College
Finalist: Phone call rates squeeze inmate families, boost state prison revenues - by Agnel Philip, Arizona State University

General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Tuition to rise 4.9 percent - by Kellie Galentine, University of La Verne
Finalist: Tying the knot no more - by Jordan Ligons, Point Loma Nazarene University
Finalist: Tensions take off over FAA proposed changes - by Jonathan Soch, Point Loma Nazarene University

In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Where is Kristin Smart? Parts 1 and 2 - by Olivia DeGennaro, Cal Poly
Finalist: A paper trail - by Natalie Delgadillo, UCLA
Finalist: SWCPD crime logs not accurate - by Lina Chankar, Southwestern College

In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: He said, she said: A story of sexual assault on Chapman’s campus - by Mark Pampanin, Megan Abba , Chapman University
Finalist: Fixing the mirror: Peering Into Body Image Issues - by Kellie Galentine, University of La Verne
Finalist: Mental health matters: Disorders to think about - by Elizabeth Ortiz, University of La Verne

Sports Column Writing
Winner: Chronicling Arizona State football's disappointing season - by Evan Webeck, Arizona State University
Finalist: The match that sparked a dumpster Ffre, Carroll Loses On Worst Play, Niners Will Miss Harbaugh - by Tom Curran-Levett, Andrew Slap, Santa Clara University
Finalist: Tanner's takes - by Tanner Walters, UCLA

Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: From darkness to dawn: Ivan Gonzalez won’t let his undocumented status slow him down - by Hooman Yazdanian , University of California, Berkeley
Finalist: Freshman runner makes big impact at UCLA following European success - by Matt Cummings, UCLA
Finalist: Big West baseball lacks academic bonuses - by Siamack Esmaili, California State University, Fullerton

Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Kan you dig it: Korver leads young volleyball team - by Clif Cody, Occidental College
Online
Best Affiliated Web Site
Winner: The Sundial - by The Sundial, California State University Northridge
Finalist: The Daily Californian website - by The Daily Californian staff , University of California, Berkeley
Finalist: Daily Bruin - by Staff, UCLA

Best Digital-Only Student Publication
Winner: The State Press - Best Digital-Only Publication - by Ben Margiott, Shelby Slade, Devin Conley, Arizona State University
Finalist: Spanish vs. Arabic - by Taylor Villanueva, Barbara Estrada, Fernando Hurtado, University of Southern California

Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: Nicaragua: Channeling the future - by Staff, Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School
Finalist: Downtown Devil - by Downtown Devil, Arizona State University

Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: A fan's guide to the Blue-Green Rivalry - by Mustang News Staff, Cal Poly
Finalist: IndieCade 2015 - by Nik Lucaj, Adam Thomas., Santa Monica College
Finalist: Arizona exporters tout benefits of Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership - by Alicia Clark and Sara Weber, Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School

Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Okilly Dokilly: Phoenix’s half urban legend, half viral Internet sensation - by Alexandra Scoville and Courtney Pedroza, Arizona State University
Finalist: Nia Imara sheds light on Oakland through art - by Akira Olivia Kumamoto, University of California, Berkeley
Finalist: How safe is today's hottest fitness trend? - by Morgan Greenwald, University of Southern California

Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: America's weed rush: A News21 investigation - by Staff, Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School
Finalist: A paper trail - by Natalie Delgadillo, Ryan Nelson, Angie Wang and Neil Bedi, UCLA
Finalist: Planned for centuries, Nicaragua’s canal plan steps forward - by Cydney McFarland, Arizona State University

Online News Reporting
Winner: Hooked: Tracking heroin's hold on Arizona - by Staff, Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School
Finalist: Accused killer’s mom recalls a troubled life - by Olga Grigoryants, University of Southern California
Finalist: Students protest Sig Ep, Alpha Phi raid, call on UCLA to address racism - by Daily Bruin Staff, UCLA

Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: The cost of sexual assault at USC - by Nathaniel Haas, University of Southern California
Finalist: Asians might vote left, but the model minority is still pretty racist - by Ashley Yang, University of Southern California
Finalist: Anthony Berteaux opinion writing - by Anthony Berteaux, San Diego State University

Online Sports Reporting
Winner: Basketball at breakneck pace a way of life on Navajo reservation - by Chris Wimmer, Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School
Finalist: Meet the first ASU women's hockey recruit: KC McGinley - by Evan Webeck, Arizona State University
Finalist: Scenes from a Women’s World Cup viewing party - by Paolo Uggetti, University of Southern California

Radio Broadcast
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: Long Story Short - by Kelly Yeo and Yuri Enokida, UCLA
Finalist: The Evening Update - by Carlos Gonzalez, Colin Newton, Wahid Lodin Haley Kramer, California State University-Northridge
Finalist: Redwood Report - by Terri Klemetson , Humboldt State University

Radio Feature
Winner: The Journey: An unaccompanied minor's story of coming to the U.S. - by Maira Perez, Mills College
Finalist: Navigating food in a new land - by Erin Clark , Mills College
Finalist: iPlex - by Bianca Broszus, UCLA

Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Online sex market - by Martha Daniel, University of Southern California
Finalist: Why is that a thing? - by Katharine Hong, University of San Francisco
Finalist: Looking for Laurie - by Olivia Richard, Arizona State University

Radio News Reporting
Winner: Rated No. 1 Courtney Conlogue seeks World Championship Title - by Quinn Owen, San Diego State University
Finalist: Preventing juvenile detention with a blank canvas and a can of spray paint - by Quinn Owen, San Diego State University
Finalist: Good Pie Contest - by Priyanka Nanayakkara, UCLA

Radio Sports Reporting
Winner: Narbonne Football Team - by Carlos Gonzalez, California State University-Northridge
Finalist: Electronic sports - by Justin Gutierrez, California State University-Northridge
Finalist: Fantasy sports leagues - by Anna Logan, California State University-Northridge

Television Broadcast
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Winner: Global news relay on Fresno State Focus - by Angelica Lei Lani, Xitlaly Ocampo, James Barnes, Rodney Mathews, California State University, Fresno
Finalist: CSUN Valley View News - by Valley View News Staff, California State University, Northridge
Finalist: Thursday 11/12/15 - by Priscilla Casper, Kelly Reinke, Katie Fell, Matthew Tufts, University of Southern California

Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Students protest Sig Ep, Alpha Phi raid, call on UCLA to address racism - by Daniela Herrera, Justine Sto. Tomas, UCLA
Finalist: Cal Poly comes together in unity march - by Michelle Logan, Cal Poly
Finalist: Miknao Dance Studio - by Bianca Zapata, Crystal Villegas, Monica Oroz, University of La Verne

Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Child life specialists help young patients, families - by Yahaira Jacquez, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
Finalist: Hip Hop Heals: USC Dance Crew Helps Children's Hospital Los Angeles - by Cameron Quon, University of Southern California
Finalist: Student band entertains on stoop - by Iris Lee, Hoang Nguyen, Justine Sto. Tomas, Kim Garcia, UCLA

Television General News Reporting
Winner: ‘Robo-deer’ dispatched to Arizona forests to thwart poachers - by Julia Thatcher, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism
Finalist: Buffelgrass and drones - by Lauren Michaels, Arizona State University
Finalist: Quarterback of the battlefield - by Audrey Weil, Arizona State University

Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Alcoholism at USC - by Kay Angrum, University of Southern California
Finalist: Sober students speak out against stigma on addiction - by Hoang Nguyen, UCLA
Finalist: Guadalupe coping with chronic poverty - by Sonny Scott Jacquee, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism - ASU

Television News and Feature Photography
Winner: Phoenix Children’s Hospital child life specialists help ease pain for young patients, their families - by Yahaira Jacquez, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
Finalist: Music teacher in West Phoenix making a difference - by Yahaira Jacquez, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm

Television Sports Photography
Winner: Kody Wakasa scores winning goal against UCSB - by Allison Edmonds, Cal Poly

Television Sports Reporting
Winner: The skater's edge: Evan Bender - by Collette Del Poso, Iris Lee, UCLA
Finalist: Star women's tennis player climbs up after second shoulder surgery - by Mustang News Staff, Cal Poly
Finalist: Men's soccer co-captain Chase Minter talks goals for last season - by Mustang News Staff, Cal Poly

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