Congratulations to University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications graduates Steven Gallo, TEL 2013, and Alex Orlando, JM 2012, for competing in the finals of the 2012-13 Hearst National Journalism Awards Championship this week.  The awards were announced last night in San Francisco.

Gallo was a finalist in the television broadcast news division; Orlando was a finalist in the writing competition and also won the Reporting Technique award.

“Going up against the best of the best was an amazing experience,” said Orlando, who is a reporter at The Tampa Bay Times. “I was happy to come out here and represent the College and the University of Florida.”

“It’s been an incredible honor.  I never could have dreamed of being here once, let alone twice,” said Gallo, who won the Hearst radio broadcast news division last year and will start a master’s at the College this fall.  “This has been a huge part of my collegiate journalism career.  It has shaped my journey in college and will shape my journalism career that’s ahead of me.”

The College again had a strong year in the Hearst competition, finishing ninth overall and taking fourth in writing, ninth in photojournalism and sixth in broadcast news.

“We are very proud of our students,” said Dean Diane McFarlin. “The Hearst championship is the premier competition for journalism and telecommunication students. These top finishes are a testament to the outstanding work being done by our students, faculty and staff and the unparalleled educational opportunities provided by our multimedia properties.”

The College’s students also won the following individual awards:

• 2013 – Hearst writing competition, sports writing, second place: Tyler Jett
• 2013 – Hearst writing competition, feature writing, second place: Alex Orlando
• 2013 – Hearst writing competition, feature writing, seventh place: Tyler Jett
• 2013 – Hearst writing competition, breaking news, fifth place: Alex Orlando
• 2013 – Hearst writing competition, breaking news, 11th place: Chris Alcantara

The 53rd annual program offered up to $500,000 in awards, consisted of five monthly writing competitions, two photojournalism competitions, three broadcast news competitions (one in radio and two in television), and four multimedia competitions – with championship finals in all divisions.

There are 110 universities with accredited undergraduate journalism schools eligible to participate in the Hearst Journalism Awards Program. The Journalism Awards Program is funded and administered by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

Posted: June 7, 2013
Category: College News, Student Awards
Tagged as: Awards, Hearst Journalism Awards