School of Journalism and Mass Communications students received five first-place awards and four finalist awards in the 2024 Region 3 Mark of Excellence competition sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists.
Winning work was completed in the digital journalism capstone course and published on the Carolina News and Reporter news website or, for the broadcast journalism, ran on air in the daily newscasts.
SPJ recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 3, comprised of schools in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and the U.S. Virgin Islands. MOE Awards judges were directed to choose entries they felt were among the best in student journalism.
“This student work is among the best ever produced by the capstone programs,” said Eileen Waddell, who teaches digital journalism with instructor Brandon Shulleeta. “These wins show students they can compete with professional journalists locally and beyond. And they’ll go on to hit the ground running when they are hired by commercial news outlets.”
Jurors selected a winner, and one to two finalists if warranted, from the dozens who entered each category. Just to be named a finalist is prestigious.
Five journalists won first-place awards — four in digital journalism and one in broadcast journalism. They now will compete at the national level against 12 other regional winners. National winners will be notified in late spring.
First place awards
In the digital category, graduate student Jayden Simmons earned first-place honors for General News Reporting on artificial intelligence and the way it is revolutionizing the communications field while also creating ethical concerns. AI: The new communications tool or the new editor-in-chief »
Mary Gaughan earned her first-place award in the In-Depth Reporting category for a piece on rising staffing crises in nursing homes. She describes what happens when care turns into harm, turning patients into "drooling zombies." SC attorney: Nursing home residents overprescribed antipsychotics, creating horrific situations »
Riley Edenbeck's Investigative Reporting first place article highlighted the availability of a plant-based herbal supplement marketed as a healthy alcohol alternative, which can become habit forming if consumed irresponsibly. Feel Free tonic spreads across Columbia, country, flies under public radar »
In the Food and Restaurant category, the first place award recipient Emmy Ribero covered the impact of staffing shortages since the pandemic on the South Carolina health department. SC health department behind on many Columbia restaurant inspections, raising safety concerns »
In the TV Breaking News Reporting category, Elizabeth Martinez won a first-place award for her story covering the start of demolition at a once-popular indoor mall in Columbia. Richland Mall demolition »
Finalists
Two broadcast journalists were recognized with finalist awards. And four photography students taught by instructor Renée Ittner-McManus also won finalist awards for work that was posted on the Carolina News & Reporter website. Three of those students were in the special topics course “A Photojournalism Adventure at the Carolina Cup: The Thrill of the Chase.”
Photo-essay slideshow:
Photography students Alexis Croft, Jada Kirkland and Megan Sever, Carolina Cup
Feature videography:
Photography student Chloe Caudill, Sewing for Samaritans
Broadcast, general news reporting:
Zane Heinlein, Trade school surge
Broadcast, sports reporting:
Rachel Manning, South Carolina Gamecocks celebrate national championship
The faculty
In addition to Waddell and Shulleeta, students in the capstone journalism classes were taught by Rick Peterson and Lena Sadiwskyj.
"I am so proud of these students and the dedicated faculty ensuring that they are trained well and can shine," said SJMC director Damion Waymer, Ph.D. "Knock them dead at the next level, and know the entire SJMC and college are rooting for you."