University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications students were honored in the 2017 Society of Professional Journalists Region 3 Mark of Excellence Awards competition. Students were recognized for their work on radio, television, print and online.

Region 3 is comprised of Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. First place winners will compete with other winners from all 12 SPJ regions and awards will be given at the national convention in Sept. 2017.

Honorees include:

Breaking News Photography (Large): Winner, Drea Cornejo, “Satchel Goes Up in Flames”
Sports Photography (Large): Finalist, Jordan McPherson, “Butler Christinaki”
Best Student Magazine: Winner, Orange & Blue
Non-Fiction Magazine Article: Winner, Ashley Lombardo, “Divorce from the Streets”
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper: Winner, Independent Florida Alligator
Breaking News Reporting (Large): Winner, Briana Erickson, “Jury Finds Drug Dealer Guilty in Sale of Fentanyl that Killed Addict”
General News Reporting: Winner, Briana Erickson, “Delray Police Combat Rising Drug Overdoses”
In-Depth Reporting (Large): Finalist: Molly Donovan, Martin Vassolo, Melissa Gomez and Emily Cochrane, “Through Their Eyes”
In-Depth Reporting (Large): Finalist: Melissa Gomez, “The Struggle Within: A Counseling Center’s Battle to Meet Increasing Demands”
Sports Column Writing: Winner, Ethan Bauer
Sports Writing (Large): Winner, Ethan Bauer, “A Sister’s Bond”
Sports Writing (Large): Finalist, Ethan Bauer, “The Road Less Traveled’
Online/Best Affiliated Website: Finalist, wuft.org
Online Feature Reporting: Finalist, Briana Erickson, “The Low of Highs”
Online News Reporting: Finalist, Briana Erickson, “Healthcare Divide”
Radio Best All-Around Newscast: Winner, Luke Sullivan, “Transgender Challenges”
Radio Best All-Around Newscast: Finalist, Caitie Switalski, “WLRN News with Caitie Switalski”
Radio News Reporting: Winner, Caitie Switalski, “Democratic U.S. Senate Hopeful Pam Keith Shows No Signs of Slowing Down”
Radio News Reporting: Finalist, Sara Girard, “Hoggetowne Medieval Faire Increases Security”
Radio In-Depth Reporting: Winner, Luke Sullivan, “Transgender Challenges”
Radio Sports Reporting: Winner, Charlie Jordan, “Southeastern Conference Roundup”
Radio Feature: Finalist, Rebekkah Mar, “Eastside-Westside Clinics”
Television Breaking News Reporting: Winner, Nestor Montoya, Ryan Roberts, Kady Marlowe, Rebekkah Mar and WUFT News Student Staff, “Pulse”
Television Feature Reporting: Finalist, Ryan Roberts, “The Drone Man”
Television General News Reporting: Marie Edinger, “Backyard Beekeepers”
Television In-Depth News Reporting: Finalist, Danielle Prinz, “The Flood Insurance Mess”

Posted: April 25, 2017
Category: College News, Student News
Tagged as: SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards