University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) student journalists and alumni from WUFT and Fresh Take Florida, and two faculty members are finalists in the 2022 Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Florida Pro Sunshine State Awards competition.

Finalists include:

• College Journalist of the Year: Meleah Lyden, B.S. Telecommunication 2022, of Fresh Take Florida and WUFT
• Adviser of the Year: Ted Bridis, UFCJC Rob Hiaasen Lecturer in Investigative Reporting and Fresh Take Florida coordinator
• Best Radio Newscast: Meleah Lyden, B.S. Telecommuncation 2022, WUFT News “The Point” newscast Oct. 26, 2021
• Best News Story: Corbin Bolies, B.S. Journalism 2022, of Fresh Take Florida for “Felon Who Won GOP Congressional Primary Never Applied for Right to Hold Political Office”
• Best News Story: Tristan Wood, B.S. Journalism 2022, of Fresh Take Florida for “FSU Determines Three Professors Guilty of Sexual Misconduct with Students”
• Best Serious Feature: Journalism senior Elise Elder of Fresh Take Florida for “Former NYPD Officers in Florida Heralded by DeSantis Include Surprises.” This story also won first place in the 2021-2022 Hearst Journalism Awards National Investigative Reporting
• Best Coverage of Race & Underrepresented Communities: Master’s student Hope Dean of Fresh Take Florida for “Florida Black Man Shot By White Officer In 2001 Still Waiting On Payout From His City”
• Best Coverage of Race & Underrepresented Communities: MacKenzie DiLeo, B.S. Journalism 2022, of WUFT for “Porters Community Residents Are Growing Tired Of Noise And Dust Coming From Neighboring Cement Companies”
• Best COVID-19 Coverage: Elisabell Velazquez, B.S. Journalism 2022, of Fresh Take Florida for “Florida’s College Football Stadiums Have Been Packed, But So Far No Apparent Pandemic Outbreaks”
• Serious Feature: Moni Basu, Flamingo Magazine, “Drivin’ the Dixie Highway: How Florida’s Dream Road Turned to Dust“
• Food and Travel Writing: Moni Basu and Jenna Alexander, Flamingo Magazine, “The Road Less Traveled”

The SPJ Sunshine State Awards, presented in partnership with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists – South Florida Chapter, the National Association of Black Journalists – South Florida Chapter, and NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists, recognize outstanding journalism in 2021. The awards will be presented at the NSU Museum of Fort Lauderdale on Aug. 27.

Posted: June 30, 2022
Category: Alumni News, College News, Student News
Tagged as: Fresh Take Florida, Moni Basu, SPJ Florida Pro Sunshine State Awards, Ted Bridis