BYU students win journalism awards

Students working for the Daily Universe compete against student and professional journalists every year in national contests. So far this year, BYU journalism students have received several awards for their stories, beats and photos. Three contests have announced finalists and winners.

BYU students won five categories in the Society of Professional Journalist Region 9 Mark of Excellence Awards. These winners will compete against the winners in other regions for the national Mark of Excellence Awards. The national winners will be announced at the Society of Professional Journalists Excellence in Journalism 2017 Conference in September.

• Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper: Daily Universe Staff
• In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students: Daily Universe Staff, “Millennials and Religion“
• Online News Reporting: Daily Universe Staff, “Presidential election coverage and reaction“
• Best All-Around Television Newscast: ElevenNEWS at Noon Staff, “ElevenNEWS at Noon – Election Day“
• Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students: Kristen Kerr, “Walk-on mentality shapes former BYU football player and current CEO“
• Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students: Liesl Nielsen, “BYU-Idaho pathway program opens doors of learning around the world“; Sydney Jorgensen, “Sociologists say relationships should exist outside marriage“
• Television In-Depth Reporting: Mercedes Erikson, “Athlete concussions“
• Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students: Nate Cunningham, “Legendary BYU football head coach LaVell Edwards dies at 86“
• In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students: Sydney Jorgensen and Gavin Fowler, “NCAA pay to play“

BYU also had several finalists in this year’s Utah Idaho Spokane Associated Press Association Contest. BYU was one of 16 newspapers who submitted content. There were a total of 469 entries.

Finalists

• Beats: Education/Title IX; Federal/State Government
• Feature Story: Sarah Averett, “Prepping and Religion Fit Hand in Hand“
• General Reporting: Theresa Davis, “Bears Ears National Monument Proposal Creates Tensions in Utah“
• Online: Breaking News: Nate Cunningham, “Legendary Football Coach LaVell Edwards Dies at 86“; Kristen Kerr and Jordan Murray, “Protestors Deliver Petition to BYU Administration Regarding Sexual Assault“
• Online: Special Package: Abby Hay, Ashley Lee and Kjersten Johnson, “America’s 2016 Presidential Candidates“; Jordan Murray, “Saving Journalism,” “Honorably Released: When the Best Two Years Don’t Turn Out as Expected“
• Picture Story/Photo Essay: Ari Davis, “BYU v. Toledo — the Game in Pictures,” “Triple-Double King Kyle Collinsworth Leaves his Mark on BYU Basketball“
• Series or Special Project: Sydney Jorgensen and Gavin Fowler, “NCAA ‘Pay to Play’ is Changing the Future of College Sports“; Universe Staff “Millennials and Religion“; “Sexual Assault Reporting at BYU; Outrage and Change“
• Sports Photo: Ari Davis, “Tayson or Tanner? Time for a Change for BYU Football”
• Spot News Story: Nate Cunningham, “Legendary Football Couch LaVell Edwards Dies at 86“; Kristen Kerr, “Protestors Deliver Petition to BYU Administration Regarding Sexual Assault“
• Spot Sports Story: Nate Cunningham, “BYU Football Wins Fourth Straight; Loses Taysom Hill“; “”Legendary BYU Football Coach LaVell Edwards Dies at 86“

BYU had two winners in the College Media Association’s “Best of Show” Apple Awards as well, presented in March in New York City.

Prizes

• Best print ad: Third place for Conner Newbold’s BYU Store ad
• Best multimedia package: Second place for Kjersten Johnson’s “The Black Snake Wins,” photos by Ryan Turner