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BYU student journalists win honors at SPJ regional competition

Daily Universe named best student newspaper

The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University’s student newspaper, was recently named Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper for Region 9, earning a 2006 Mark of Excellence Award from the Society of Professional Journalists.

As the first-place winner in its division, The Daily Universe will go on to compete in the national Mark of Excellence competition in Washington, D.C. National winners will be announced in May.

Several student journalists also garnered regional awards from the competition in various categories, including:

—Feature Writing: First Place: Alison Snyder, “Role brings Santa joy, jollity”; Second Place: Julie Espinosa, “Planting seeds of hope”; Third Place: Alison Snyder, “Bikers use attitude to help children.”

—Sports Writing: First Place: David Rasmussen, “The Holy Book”; Third Place: David Rasmussen, “McAdams finishes on top.”

—Radio News Reporting: Second Place: Jennifer Borget, “Immigration”; Third Place: “Wage.”

Radio Feature: First Place: Kimberly Christenson, “Shropshire Music Foundation”; Second Place: Kimberly Christenson, “Hari Krishna Temple”; Third Place: Ryan M. McIlvain, “BYU beats Utah.”

—Radio Newscast: First Place: BYU staff, “Live Morning & Afternoon News on Classical 89.”

—Television Breaking News Reporting: First Place: Justin Su’A, “15-minute storm”; Second Place: Clarissa A. Lassig, “Destiny. ”

—Television General News Reporting: First Place: Emily Clark, “Dominican Republic wheelchairs”; Third Place: Jennifer Borget, “Laptop theft.”

—Television In-Depth Reporting: First Place: In the News staff, “Monticello”; Second Place: Clif Kelly, “Homeless”

—Television Sports Reporting: Second Place: Meghan Stettler, “Roller derby”; Third Place: Jarom Jordan, “Walk-on.”

—Online Feature Reporting: Third Place: Geoffrey McAllister, “ROTC Blackhawk training.”

The first-place students’ entries will also be entered into the national competition.

The Society of Professional Journalists seeks to improve and protect journalism across the country. As the nation’s largest journalism organization, the society encourages freedom of the press and upholding high standards of ethical reporting.

For more information, contact Heather Porter at (317) 927-0001, ext. 204, or visit spj.org.

Writer: Elizabeth Kasper

universe.jpg
Photo by BYU animation program

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