University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) student journalists, WUFT News staff, The Independent Alligator staff and editorial board, alumni and a Miami Herald intern were honored in the Region 3 2023 Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Mark of Excellence (MOE) Awards competition.

The awards recognize the best collegiate journalism in Region 3 which comprises Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  UFCJC was the winner in 16 categories and had finalists in 25 categories.

Winners and finalists include:

Print/Online

• Breaking News Reporting (Large): Winner, “Pilot of Small Plane Who Died in Crash Pleaded for Help in Final Moments: ‘I’m Losing Altitude’,” Gabriel Velasquez Neira, WUFT News
• Breaking News Reporting (Large): Finalist, “Idalia Survivor of Storm’s Fury Near Landfall: ‘Don’t Ever Want to Go Through That Again’,” Jack Lemnus, B.S. Journalism 2023, Fresh Take Florida/WUFT News
• General News Reporting (Large): Finalist, “UF to Spend $300,000 on New Pool for Incoming University President,” Emma Behrman, Fresh Take Florida/WUFT News
• Feature Writing (Large): Winner, “White Man to be Sentenced for Recent, Racially Motivated Attack at Site of Massacre of Black Resident,” Jack Lemnus, B.S. Journalism 2023, Fresh Take Florida/WUFT News
• Feature Writing (Large): Finalist, “Retired Cop Never Forgot Unsolved Case, Helped Convict Rapist Decades Later,” Alexa Herrera, B.S. Journalism 2023, Fresh Take Florida/WUFT News
• Sports Writing (Large): Winner, “New Group Emerges to Pay UF Athletes; Gator Collective Dissolves After Mishandled QB deal,” Aidan Bush, Fresh Take Florida/WUFT News
• Editorial/Opinion Writing: Winner, The Independent Florida Alligator, The Independent Florida Alligator Editorial Board
• Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large): Finalist, The Independent Florida Alligator, The Independent Florida Alligator Staff

Art/Graphics/Multimedia

• Breaking News Photography: Winner, “Israel Rally,” Augustus Hoff, WUFT News
• General News Photography: Winner, “Gun Laws,” Augustus Hoff, WUFT News
• General News Photography: Finalist, “Childcare Closure,” Azhalia Pottinger, WUFT News
• General News Photography: Finalist, “Gaza Rally,” Gabriel Velasquez-Neira, WUFT News
• Feature Photography: Winner, “Homecoming Parade Sights and Sounds,” Valentina Sarmiento, WUFT News
• Feature Photography: Finalist, “2023 Gator Fly-In,” Rae Riiska, WUFT News
• Feature Photography: Finalist, “A Wave of One,” Ethan Goddard, WUFT News
• Photo Essay/Slideshow: Finalist, “Slept on Eastside,” Trey Johnson, WUFT News
• Sports Photography: Finalist, “Trevor Etienne,” Gabriel Velasquez-Neira, WUFT News
• Best Use of Multimedia: Winner, Behind the Bet: Stories of Illegal Sports Betting on the University of Florida’s Campus,” Alexis Ashby, WUFT News
• News Videography: Winner, “Inside ICAC,” Chris Will, WUFT News
• Feature Videography: Finalist: “UF Turf Team,” Chris Will, WUFT News

Audio

• Radio Feature: Winner, “UF IDF Reservists Deploy to Israel,” by Ailee Shanes, WUFT News
• Radio In-Depth Reporting: Winner, “Transgender Floridians Weather the Political Storm Around Their Rights,” Siena Duncan, WUFT News
• Best All-Around Radio Newscast: Winner, “The Point Newscast,” Serra Sowers, WUFT News

Broadcast

• Television Breaking News Reporting: Winner, “Apartment Complex Delays Move In,” Kennedy Mason, WUFT News
• Television Breaking News Reporting: Finalist, “Hurricane Idalia Preps,” Chris Will, WUFT News
• Television General News Reporting: Winner, “Purple for Mackinzie,” Ophelie Jacobson, B.S. Journalism 2023, WUFT News
• Television General News Reporting: Finalist, “UF Releases Panic Video, Reveals Threat,” Loren Miranda, WUFT News
• Television In-Depth Reporting: Finalist, “Inside ICAC,” Chris Will, WUFT News
• Best All-Around Television Newscast: Finalist, “WUFT News First at Five,” WUFT News Staff

All Platform

• Campus Reporting: Finalist, “Here’s a Full Timeline of the Chaos at the Turlington Plaza Vigil for Israel,” Serra Sowers, WUFT News
• Investigative Reporting: Winner, “Underage Drinking in a College Town: How Strictly Should Police, Prosecutors Enforce Laws?,” Troy Myers, B.S. Journalism 2023, Fresh Take Florida/WUFT News
• Investigative Reporting: Finalist, “Redondo Condo? GOP Candidate Wins State House Race in South Florida Amid Questions Over District Residency,” Silas Morgan, Fresh Take Florida/WUFT News
• Investigative Reporting: Finalist, “‘Stop Being Racist:’ Tickets for Loud Music Nearly 3 Times More Likely for Black Drivers Under New Florida Law,” Meghan McGlone, B.S. Journalism 2023, Fresh Take Florida/WUFT News
• Regional Political Reporting: Winner, “Former Death Row Inmates Slam New Florida Law Making it Easier to Impose Capital Punishment,” Carissa Allen, B.S. Journalism 2023, Fresh Take Florida/WUFT News
• Regional Political Reporting: Finalist, “‘Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet’: DeSantis Touts Making Florida Attractive Destination, Largely Tempers Fire,” Makiya Seminera, B.S. International Studies 2023, Fresh Take Florida/WUFT News
• Regional Political Reporting: Finalist, “Then and Now: How DeSantis’ State of State Speeches Have Changed,” Makiya Seminera, B.S. International Studies 2023, Fresh Take Florida/WUFT News
• Science/Environment/Climate Reporting: Finalist, “Crews Bust ‘Ghost Traps’ That Kill Lobsters, Crabs in Biscayne Bay. They Hauled Out a Ton,” Alan Halaly, The Miami Herald, University of Florida

SPJ MOE Awards entries are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. Judges were directed to choose entries they felt were among the best in student journalism. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other SPJ MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions. National winners will be notified in the late spring. Due to a cost-cutting measure, the annual SPJ 2024 conference has been cancelled.

Posted: April 26, 2024
Category: Alumni News, College News, Student News
Tagged as: 2023 SPJ MOE Region 3 Awards, Independent Florida Alligator, Society of Professional Journalists, SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards