UFCJC students place in the final 2025-26 Hearst Journalism Awards competitions of the year
University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) students have been recognized in the 2025-26 Hearst Journalism Awards Multimedia Team Enterprise Story and Podcast competitions, the final contests of the academic year.
In the Multimedia Team category, the fourth and final multimedia competition, 67 entries from 42 schools were submitted. “When Lightning Strikes” placed 11th with team members Emilia Arnold, Bea Anhuci, Isabela Reinoso, Claudia Schmidt, Katie Shealy, Kaitlyn Tarakji, Emma Twombly and Marta Zherukha. Cynthia Barnett, UFCJC director of Climate and Environment Reporting Initiatives, was the adviser. UFCJC Data Journalism Lecturer Gavin Off oversaw the analysis of more than 14 million Florida lightning strikes over five years and UFCJC visiting professional David Kofahl oversaw the interactive design.
“From Sewer to Soil” placed in a tie for 12th. Team members included Halima Attah, Richard Bennett, Azhalia Pottinger, Alanna Robbert and Garrett Shanley. WUFT Report for America Corps Member Rose Schnabel served as the adviser for the project. She will teach the Environmental Journalism course in fall 2026.
In the Podcast competition, Journalism junior Sofia Dinka placed in a tie for 19th for her entry that was part of the WUFT podcast series called “Uncelebrated.” INC News Manager Dave Barasoain was the adviser for the series. This contest included 61 entries from 41 universities.
The Hearst Journalism Awards Program, now in its 65th year, offers up to $700,000 in scholarships, matching grants and stipends. 105 member universities of the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication with accredited undergraduate journalism programs are eligible to participate in the Hearst competitions.
Category: Alumni News, College News, Student News
Tagged: 2025-26 Hearst Journalism Awards Multimedia Team Enterprise Story Cynthia Barnett Dave Barasoain Gavin Off podcast Rose Schnabel
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