University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications students, staff and alumni from WUFT News, Fresh Take Florida and The Independent Florida Alligator are finalists in the 2023 Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Florida Pro Chapter Sunshine State Awards Competition. The awards recognize outstanding journalism produced in 2022.

Finalists in the professional division include:

• James Batten Award for Public Service: Chris Cann, B.S. Journalism 2021, Tallahassee Democrat
• Journalist of the Year: Katie Hyson, M.A.M.C. 2020, WUFT News
• Outstanding New Journalist: Gabriella Paul, B.S. Journalism 2020, WUFT News
• Feature Reporting (Small Papers): Catie Wegman, B.S. Journalism 2019, TCPalm/Treasure Coast Newspapers
• Series: Chris Cann, B.S. Journalism 2021, Tallahassee Democrat
• Beat Reporting – Arts: Amanda Rosa, B.S. Journalism 2020, Miami Herald
• Beat Reporting – Crime & Courts: Hannah Phillips, B.S. Journalism 2020, The Palm Beach Post
• Beat Reporting – Environment, Science & Technology: Max Chesnes, B.S. Journalism 2019
• Best Newscast: Journalism rising senior Serra Sowers, WUFT News
• Light Feature Reporting: Katie Hyson, WUFT News
• Public Affairs: Katie Hyson, WUFT News
• News Website (Small Newsroom): WUFT.org, WUFT Staff
• Online Package: WUFT Staff

Finalists in the college division include:

• College Journalist of the Year: Journalism senior Jack Prator; Kristen Bausch, B.S. Journalism 2022
• Best Student Publication: The Independent Florida Alligator – Student Staff
• Best Broadcast Outlet: WUFT News – WUFT Staff
• Breaking News: The Independent Florida Alligator – Journalism senior Makiya Seminera; Breaking News: WUFT News – Journalism junior Alan Halaly
• Best Profile: Atrium Magazine – Chloe Greenberg, B.S. Journalism 2022
• Best Serious Feature: Atrium Magazine – Madison Chestang, B.S. Journalism 2022, and Anderson Bobo, M.A.M.C. 2022
• Best Light Feature: Atrium Magazine – Mindy Nissenberg, Master’s student; WUFT News – Journalism junior Alan Halaly; WUFT News – Christina Pugliese, B.S. Telecommunication 2022
• Best Sports Story: Fresh Take Florida – Payton Titus, B.S. Journalism 2023
• Best Video: The Independent Florida Alligator – Journalism junior Ben Nielsen; WUFT News – Alexis Ashby, B.S. Journalism 2023
• Best Multimedia Feature: WUFT News – Avery Lotz, B.S. Journalism 2023; WUFT News – Journalism junior Alan Halaly
• Best Coverage of Race & Underrepresented Communities: Fresh Take Florida – Amy Galo, B.S. Journalism 2022; Fresh Take Florida – Daniella Sevares, B.S. Journalism 2022 and Alexander Lugo, B.S. Journalism 2022; Fresh Take Florida – Steven Walker, B.S. Journalism 2022
• General News Story: Fresh Take Florida – Troy Myers, B.S. Journalism 2022

The SPJ Florida Pro Chapter Sunshine State Awards are presented in partnership with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists – South Florida Chapter, the National Association of Black Journalists – South Florida Chapter, NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists, and the Asian American Journalists Association – Florida Chapter. Awards for first, second and third place will be presented at ArtServe in Fort Lauderdale on Aug. 25.

Posted: June 20, 2023
Category: Alumni News, College News, Student News
Tagged as: 2023 Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Florida Pro Chapter Sunshine State Awards