University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications student journalists and alumni from WUFT-TV/FM, Noticias WUFT and The Independent Florida Alligator were honored in the 23^rd annual Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Sunshine State Awards competition. Honors were received in both professional and student divisions for work on radio, television, print and online.

Winners in the professional division include:
First place: James Batten Award for Public Service, Project: Blue Ether, WUFT.org
First place: Mejor Trabajo Estudiantil (All Media), June 18, 2016 Newscast, Telecommunication News senior Clara Garcia and Journalism senior Krystalle Pinilla, WUFT-FM “Noticias WUFT”
Second place: Best Online Package, Family Ashes in Pipeline’s Path, Journalism senior Drea Cornejo for the Gainesville Sun
Third place: Radio Investigative Reporting, ”Eastside-Westside Clinics,” Rebekkah Mar, B.S. Telecommunication 2017, WUFT-FM

Winners in the student division include:
First place: College Journalist of the Year, Briana Erickson, B.S. Journalism 2017, Writing Portfolio
Third place: College Journalist of the Year, Journalism senior Drea Cornejo, Multimedia Portfolio
First place: Best Video, In Rural Union County, Web Designer Finds New Life as a Free-Range Farmer, Chris Totzke, B.S. Business Administration 2017, WUFT News
First place: Best Profile, A Sister’s Bond, Journalism senior Ethan Bauer, Independent Florida Alligator
Third place: Best Profile, The Road Less Traveled: Garcia Finds a Home at Florida, Journalism senior Ethan Bauer, Independent Florida Alligator
Second place: Best Video: Family Ashes in Pipeline’s Path,  Journalism senior Drea Cornejo, for the Gainesville Sun
Second place: Best Coverage of Race and Minorities: The Ties that Bind – Maintaining Black Culture in Gainesville, Journalism seniors Charles Hatcher, Elise Engle, Jennifer Jenkins, Jessica Rodriguez, Kaila Jones, Laura Gomez, Lindsay Alexander, Raina Barnett, Samantha Coto, Tamara Dobry, and Nicole Wiesenthal, B.S. Journalism 2017, and UFCJC Journalism Associate Professor John Freeman.

The winners were announced at the 2017 Sunshine State Awards ceremony on July 22 at the Newman Alumni Center at the University of Miami.

Posted: July 25, 2017
Category: College News, Student Awards
Tagged as: SPJ Sunshine State Awards