Two UFCJC Student Journalists Honored in 2024-25 Hearst National Writing Championship
University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Media Production, Management, and Technology senior Sophia Abolfathi placed third and Journalism senior Lauren Brensel was a finalist in the 2024-25 Hearst Journalism Awards National Writing Championship in San Francisco on June 6.
The annual Hearst Championships, often referred to as the “Pulitzers of College Journalism,” brought together 29 student journalists from across the country from May 31 to June 6. These finalists were selected from 1,260 entries submitted across 14 competitions held during the academic year.
This year, the Championship finalists were asked to write two articles: a news story based on an interview with Executive Chair and Director of TPG Inc. Jim Coulter and a feature on how one of President Trump’s executive orders is affecting the Bay Area. The assignments were chosen by media professionals who judged the finalists’ work throughout the year and at the Championships.
Abolfathi’s third place-winning entries included “Trump is Making a ‘Large Mistake:’ Top Climate Investor Jim Coulter Says U.S. Climate Policy Lags on Global Stage” and “For Local Fishing Fleet, Something Has Got to Give: Growing Pains in Bay Area Waters Amid a Slurry of Regulations.” She received a $5,000 scholarship and a Hearst Medallion.
Brensel received finalist honors for “Climate Investor Jim Coulter Calls Trump’s Approach to Environmental Policy a ‘Large Mistake’” and “San Francisco Says Trump’s Order on Sanctuary Cities has Deterred Immigrant Families from Local Programs.” She received a $1,500 scholarship and a Hearst Medallion.
In the Hearst Journalism Awards Intercollegiate Competition, UFCJC received first place in the Writing competition and was awarded fourth place overall.
To view the entire list of UFCJC 2024-25 Hearst Journalism Award winners, visit:
https://www.jou.ufl.edu/2025/04/15/ufcjc-students-honored-in-2024-25-hearst-journalism-awards-competition/
The Hearst Journalism Awards Program was founded in 1960 to support, encourage and give assistance to journalism education through scholarships for outstanding college students. Since its inception, the program has distributed more than $15 million in scholarships and grants for the exceptional work by student journalists.
The 2025 Writing judges were Maria Reeve, Managing Editor/Vice President, The Star Tribune; Sue Campbell, Managing Editor, Features, The Star Tribune; and David Callaway, Founder and Editor, Callaway Climate Insights.
Finalists met with the judges for orientation and assignments at the start of the competition. Articles were submitted by Wednesday evening, and winners were announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday.
Scholarships of $10,000, $7,500, and $5,000 were awarded to the first-, second-, and third-place winners, respectively. Each of the five finalists received a $1,500 scholarship.
Category: College News, Student News
Tagged: 2024-25 Hearst Journalism Awards Hearst National Writing Championships Lauren Brensel Sophia Abolfathi
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