05-04-2025
Society of Professional Journalists recognize Arkansas college students
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Arkansas journalism students were recognized on April 2 at the Society of Professional Journalists 2024 Mark of Excellence Awards.
According to a press release, SPJ's Region 12 is comprised of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. First place winners will compete at the national level among other Mark of Excellence winners from the 12 regions. National winners will be notified in late spring.
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The University of Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas Community College and Arkansas State University students were all recognized at the awards.
The Arkansas winners and finalists can be found below.
Winners
Dustin Staggs with Hill Magazine won in the In-Depth Reporting (Large) category for 'Shame and Silence: The hidden struggles of women battling pelvic pain.'
Maggie Gree with Hill Magazine won the Feature Writing (Large) category for 'The bird-shaped coffin.'
Mike Finocchiaro with The Arkansas Traveler won the Sports Column Writing category with 'Mike's Call.'
The Arkansas Traveler won the Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large).
Hill Magazine won the Best Ongoing Student Magazine category.
Jenna Dorazio with UATV won the Best Use of Multimedia award for 'Why she serves.'
Emma Rasmussen with UATV won the Podcast (Narrative) category with 'Grape to Glass: Behind the bottle.'
Maddi Phipps with UATV won the Television Feature Reporting with 'Ukulele Society'
Adam Lorio with UATV won the Television In-Depth Reporting category with 'The rapid development and dynamic future of Arkansas gambling.'
UATV won the Best All-Around Television News Magazine category.
Finalists
Hunter Myers was a finalist for the General News Reporting (Large) category for 'UA student recounts horror of tragic shooting at Super Bowl victory rally.'
Edward McKinnon was a finalist for the Feature Writing (Large) category for 'The star moment.'
Sophie Bonds was a finalist for the Sports Photography award for 'Razorback football, Isaiah Sategna.'
UATV was a finalist for Best All-Around Television Newscast for 'UATV Eclipse Show.'
Delaney Reaves with Eagle View blogsite was a finalist for 'Avoca voters narrowly OK increase for fire dues.'
Delaney Reaves and Samantha McClain with Eagle View were finalists for the General News Reporting (Small) category for 'Board approves tuition increase.'
Chelsea Catillo with Eagle View was a finalist for the Food/Restaurant Journalism category for 'NWACC students running a local food truck in Benton County.'
Ibuki Hinohara with The Herald was a finalist for the Breaking News Photography category for 'Red Wolves defeat Memphis in historic upset.'
Ibuki Hinohara with The Herald was a finalist for the Sports Photography category for 'Pinion, Marshall and Julien zip the Red Wolves to OT victory.'
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The release says the MOE Awards entries are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. Judges were told to choose entries they felt were among the best in student journalism. If no entry rose to the level of excellence, no award was given. Categories not listed have no winner.
The full list can be found here.
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