Spj.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Lauren Rochester, SPJ Director of Awards, 317.927.8000 ext. 210,
awards@spj.org

Christine DiGangi, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317.927.8000 ext. 205,
cdigangi@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists gladly recognizes the 2012 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 12 at the region’s spring conference in Las Vegas. 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 2013 (EIJ13) in Southern California, Aug. 24 to 26. 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, medium have 9,999 to 5,001 students, and small have fewer than 5,000 students.

See the list below for details on the Region 11 winners, and direct any MOE Awards questions to Director of Awards Lauren Rochester:
awards@spj.org and 317.927.8000 ext. 210.

NEWSPAPERS

Breaking News Reporting (Large)

First Place: “SB1070 Arguments Before Supreme Court” by Dustin Volz & Victoria Pelham, Arizona State University

Second Place: “Assaults target college-aged women” by Katrina Cameron, California State University, Chico

Third Place: “Man and woman survive plane crash on east side of CSUN” by Perry Smith & Loren Townsley, California State University, Northridge

Breaking News Reporting (Small)

First Place: “ASG Undecided on Election” by Matthew Rupel, Santa Clara University

Second Place: “Debaters face judicial review” by Karo Chakhlasyan, University of La Verne

Third Place: “Four more for 44,” by Staff of The Occidental Weekly, Occidental College

General News Reporting (Large)

First Place: “Voters Feel Intimidated by Election Observers” by AJ Vicens & Natasha Khan, Arizona State University

Second Place: “Water Woes Drain the Budget” by Bethany Barnes, Brenna Goth & Jessica Canchola, University of Arizona

Third Place: “Battle to Save City College Divides Teachers and Administration: by Jamie Goldberg, University of California, Berkeley

General News Reporting (Small)

First Place: “Law school ABA bid begins again” by Jason D. Cox, University of La Verne

Second Place: “Taitz loses court case to Occidental for Obama's records” by Ryan Strong, Occidental College

Third Place: “Composting Rates on the Rise” by Samantha Juda, Santa Clara University

Feature Writing (Large)

First Place: “Violent Campaign for Puerto Rican Independence Shatters Families on Both Sides of the Fight” by Maryann Batlle, Arizona State University

Second Place: “For some Oakland seniors, a meal is hard to come by” by Madeleine Thomas, University of California, Berkeley

Third Place: “Miles of Memories: by James Barragan, University of California, Los Angeles

Feature Writing (Medium)

First Place: “Addiction: Roads To Recovery” by Adrien Jarvis, Loyola Marymount University

Second Place: “Student describes Fulco as 'quintessential' man” by Brigette Scobas, Loyola Marymount University

Feature Writing (Small)

First Place: “Inspiration Through Determination” by Matthew Rupel, Santa Clara University

Second Place: “Keeping It Together: Mental Health and College Collide” by Kristen Campbell, University of La Verne

Sports Writing (Large)

First Place: “Lights, please” by Jack Wang, University of California, Berkeley

Second Place: “The disappearance of the traditional NBA big man” by Kevin Fixler, University of California, Berkeley

Third Place: “Arizona slapping its way to success” by Cameron Moon, University of Arizona

Editorial Writing (Large)

First Place: Kale Williams, Cassie Becker & Kelly Goff, San Francisco State University

Second Place: Andrew McGivern & Denise Barrett, Los Angeles City College

Third Place: Albert H. Fulcher, Nickolas Furr & Alyssa Simental, Southwestern College

Editorial Writing (Medium)

First Place: Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University

Editorial Writing (Small)

First Place: Editorial Board of the Occidental Weekly, Occidental College

General Column Writing (Large)

First Place: Savannah Thomas, Arizona State University

Second Place: Cassie Becker, San Francisco State University

Third Place: Kenneth Leonard, San Diego State University

Sports Column Writing (Large)

First Place: Ryan Eshoff, University of California, Los Angeles

Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper

First Place: The State Press, Arizona State University

Second Place: The Daily Aztec, San Diego State University

Third Place: The Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper (Large)

First Place: Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College

Second Place: The Rebel Yell, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Third Place: Aztec Press, Pima Community College

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper (Medium)

First Place: Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola Marymount University

Second Place: The Lumberjack, Humboldt State University

Third Place: The Tempest, Solano Community College

Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper (Small)

First Place: The Santa Clara, Santa Clara University

MAGAZINE

Non-Fiction Magazine Article

First Place: “Hazing Kills A Soccer Season” by Colleen Chalmers, Humboldt State University

Second Place: “TransPlans: The Fresh Faces of Transgender Youth” by Hannah Gaber University of Arizona

Third Place: “The Cannabis Consigliere” by Veronica Jones, Arizona State University

Best Student Magazine

First Place: Etc. Magazine, City College of San Francisco

Second Place: The Osprey Magazine, Humboldt State University

Third Place: El Sol, Southwestern College

ART/GRAPHICS

Breaking News Photography (Large)

First Place: “Students grabbed by police during protest” by Michael Price, Santa Monica College

Second Place: “Obama supporters” by Murphy Bannerman, Arizona State University

Third Place: “Playoff Rumble” by David McVicker, Southwestern College

General News Photography (Large)

First Place: “Election Night” by Aaron Lavinsky, Arizona State University

Second Place: “Comics, cosplayers come to Vegas” by Chase Stevens, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Third Place: “Obama Wins Election” by Chase Stevens, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Feature Photography (Large)

First Place: “Painting the Painted Desert” by Aaron Lavinsky, Arizona State University

Second Place: “Free Health Care” by Michael Yanow, Santa Monica College

Third Place: “Death March Remembered” by Mary York, Southwestern College

Photo Illustration (Large)

First Place: “No-Court Press” by Amanda L. Abad & David McVicker, Southwestern College

Second Place: John Sullivan, Arizona State University

Third Place: “Trash talk” by Robert Alcaraz, University of Arizona

Sports Photography (Large)

First Place: “49ers Win Big West” by Steven Carcano, California State University, Long Beach

Second Place: “Women’s Soccer: CSUN loses in first round of NCAA tourney” by Loren Townsley, California State University, Northridge

Third Place: “Women's Basketball” by Michael Tao, University of California, Berkeley

Editorial Cartooning (Large)

First Place: Robbie Eich, California State University, Long Beach

Second Place: Kara Yasuil, University of California, Los Angeles

Third Place: Mike Bautista, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Editorial Cartooning (Medium)

First Place: Michael Lue, Chapman University

Second Place: Phillip Temple, Solano Community College

RADIO

Radio News Reporting

First Place: “Santa Barbara County is writing its own rules on fracking” by Christopher Connelly, University of California, Berkeley

Second Place: “California Election Coverage” by Connor Jepson, Lashay Wesley, Karel Vega & Xavion Bond, Humboldt State University

Third Place: “Abortion Controversy” by Brenda Garcia, California State University, Northridge

Radio Feature

First Place: “A deaf man hears music” by Aaron Schrank, University of Southern California

Second Place: “Tap Dancing Lessons” by Laurie Boloven, California State University, Northridge

Radio In-Depth Reporting

First Place: “Life After Addiction In Zanzibar” by Christopher Connelly, University of California, Berkeley

Second Place: “Healthy Nutrition for College Students” by Amber Canyon, California State University, Northridge

Third Place: “Stroke Rehabilitation” by Katie Oh, California State University, Northridge

Radio Sports Reporting

First Place: “Student Athletes and Academics” by Michael Mayer, California State University, Northridge

Second Place: “Super Fan” by Nick Franck, Arizona State University

Third Place: “Purchasing Sports Merchandise” by Suzanna Bezyan, California State University, Northridge

Best All-Around Radio Newscast

First Place: “Long Story Short,” University of California, Los Angeles

Second Place: “Radio Free Humboldt Report,” Humboldt State University

Third Place: “The Evening Update,” California State University, Northridge

TELEVISION

Television Breaking News Reporting

First Place: “Attorney General Investigation” by Kristina Zverjako, Arizona State University

Second Place: “Maricopa County’s troubles with Hispanic voting materials” by Cassondra Strande, Arizona State University Third Place: “Border Patrol Agent Killed” by Liz Kotalik, Arizona State University

Television General News Reporting

First Place: “Scottsdale City Council bought and paid for by the liquor industry?” by Bill Melugin, Arizona State University

Second Place: “Urban Barn Teaches Teamwork through Horseback Riding” by Vicki Chen, University of Southern California

Third Place: “Crossing the Border for a Better Deal” by Joe Nemec, Arizona State University

Television Feature Reporting

First Place: “Mobile Medicine” by Kate Elston, University of California, Berkeley

Television In-Depth Reporting

First Place: “Failing Our Future” by Cronkite NewsWatch, Arizona State University

Second Place: “Juarez Orphanages” by Jack Highberger, Arizona State University

Third Place: “Drug Culture” by Jessica Goldberg, Arizona State University

Television Sports Reporting

First Place: “In-Depth: The Price of Playing” by Amber Harding, Justin Beatty & Kim Pestalozzi, Arizona State University

Second Place: “Former top recruit overcomes tragedy to inspire others” by Amber Harding, Arizona State University

Third Place: “Nothing to Cheer About” by Kimberly Pestalozzi & Amber Harding, Arizona State University

Television News Photography

First Place: “Vets Training to Become Firefighters” by Blake Essig, Arizona State University

Second Place: “Dental Work in Mexico” by Dan Neligh, Arizona State University

Third Place: “Navajo HIV” by Nathan O'Neal, Arizona State University

Television Feature Photography

First Place: “Nogales Old West Tradition Survives” by Jack Highberger, Arizona State University

Second Place: “Court Judge in Rock Band” by Nathan O'Neal, Arizona State University

Television Sports Photography

First Place: “Valley woman hopes to bring her boxing talents to the Olympics” by Jessica Goldberg, Arizona State University

Second Place: “Swimmer Overcomes Injuries” by Jordan Hamm, Arizona State University

Third Place: “All-Female Rowing Team” by Cailyn Bradley, Arizona State University

Best All-Around Television Newscast

First Place “Valley View News,” California State University, Northridge

Second Place: “Cronkite NewsWatch,” Arizona State University

ONLINE

Online News Reporting (Large)

First Place: “Ongoing Coverage Of April 2012 USC Shooting” by Catherine Green, Corrina Shuang Liu, Paige Brettingen & Benjamin Gottlieb, University of Southern California

Second Place: “Prosecutors Failed to Disclose Coroner's 'Unreasonable' Findings” by Mihir Zaveri, University of California, Berkeley

Third Place: “Can a piece of paper block border smuggling tunnels? New law will try” by Brandon Ross & Alyssa Deitsch, Arizona State University

Online Feature Reporting (Large)

First Place: “Dominican Immigrants Fight for Land Rights in Puerto Rico” by Natasha Khan & Fara Illich, Arizona State University

Second Place: “Registration Issue Dorm Room” by Byron Lutz & Kelly Zhou, University of California, Los Angeles

Third Place: “Visual Artist- Space Paintings” by Ana Ramirez, Arizona State University

Online In-Depth Reporting (Large)

First Place: “Elections 2012” by Byron Lutz, Kelly Zhou, University of California, Los Angeles

Second Place: “States Vary Widely on Restoring Voting Rights for Felons” by Maryann Batlle & Carl Straumsheim, Arizona State University

Third Place: “L.A. Riots: 20 Years After The Unrest” by Catherine Green, Agnus-Dei Farrant & Matt Pressberg,University of Southern California

Online Sports Reporting (Large)

First Place: “How High School Eligibility Rules Spiked Todd Hunt's Football Dreams” by Jonathan Kendrick, University of Southern California

Second Place: “India's One Big Shot at Olympic Glory” by Kevin Fixler, University of California, Berkeley

Third Place: “The disappearance of the traditional NBA big man” by Kevin Fixler, University of California, Berkeley

Online Opinion & Commentary (Large)

First Place: Gabriel Radley, Arizona State University

Second Place: Tom Dotan, University of Southern California

Best Affiliated Web Site (Large)

First Place: StatePress.com, Arizona State University

Second Place: www.dailycal.org, University of California, Berkeley

Third Place: The Daily Bruin website, University of California, Los Angeles

Best Independent Online Student Publication (Large)

First Place: “Who Can Vote?” Arizona State University

Second Place: Downtown Devil, Arizona State University

Third Place: Neon Tommy: Annenberg Digital News, University of Southern California

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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