Annually, the Society of Professional Journalists presents the Mark of Excellence Awards, honoring the best in student journalism. Here are the 2024 finalists in SPJ's Region 1.
First-place regional winners advance to the national competition, and most are recognized at their respective regional SPJ conference. The Deadline Club will be hosting this year’s Region 1 Conference, May 2 and May 3 at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. More information here. National winners will be showcased on spj.org.
In addition to physical awards and recognition, two awards carry cash prizes. The Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best Student Newspaper, in both the large and small divisions, comes with a $5,000 prize courtesy of The Chronicle of Higher Education.
General News Reporting (Small, under 10k students)
- (Winner) Luke Sanelli, “Kensington nonprofit to cease storefront operations,” The Hawk News, Saint Josephs University
- Adam Beam, Connor Niszczak, “Cumberland Valley School Board reverses decision to cancel anti-bullying assembly,” The Slate, Shippensburg University
- Ally Engelbert, Allie Miller, “One year later: University begins to address gaps in communication since false shooter incident,” The Hawk News, Saint Josephs University
General News Reporting (Large, 10k+ students)
- (Winner) The Harvard Crimson staff, “Harvard’s Legacy of Slavery initiative,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
- Alyana Hutchinson, “Norris Square vs The Land Bank as community fears increasing gentrification,” The Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting, Temple University
- Eduardo Salazar, “AI boom poses threat to trans community, experts warn,” NYCity News Service, CUNY
Television General News Reporting
- (Winner) Haley Jacobs, “Swipe gone wrong: The rise of social media scams,” Centre County Report, Penn State University
- Max Williams, “Child poverty rate in Syracuse remains high; How the community is responding,” NCC News, Syracuse University
- Nicole Aponte, “Rumor has it,” NCC News, Syracuse University
Radio News Reporting
- (Winner) Zach Jaworski, “Full or not, Ogdensburg’s new flights to DC are taking off,” North Country Public Radio, St. Lawrence University
- Melanie Marich, “After the Daniel Penny trial, New Yorkers evaluate how safe they are on the subway,” AudioFiles, CUNY
- Jesse King, “Protecting the Hudson: Riverkeepers’ newest captain,” AudioFiles, CUNY
General News Photography
- (Winner) Jack Henry, “A pierce-ing devotion,” The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
- Esteban Marenco, “Butler shooting vigil,” Bellisario Student Media, Penn State University
- Jackson Ranger, “Mourning mother,” Bellisario Student Media, Penn State University
Breaking News Reporting (Large, 10k+ students)
- (Winner) Emma H. Haidar, Cam E. Kettles, “Harvard President Claudine Gay resigns, shortest tenure in University history,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
- Luca GoldMansour, Melanie Marich, “Pepper spray and surging crowds: Videos show flashpoints at City College,” NYCity News Service, CUNY
- Jacqueline Litowinsky, Rachel Suazo, “Former assistant dean of Seton Hall Law School sentenced to 3 years in prison for embezzlement,” The Setonian, Seton Hall University
Television Breaking News Reporting
- (Winner) Haley Jacobs, “Haley Jacobs: Election night breaking news,” Centre County Report, Penn State University
- Ana Valdez Saravia, Jackie Zamora, “CUNY students mobilize to support those arrested in campus protests,” NYCity News Service, CUNY
- Michael Lamorte, staff, “Psi Upsilon hazing allegations,” CitrusTV, Syracuse Universit
Breaking News Photography
- (Winner) Ethan Young, “Psi Upsilon hazing allegations,” CitrusTV, Syracuse University
- Tyler Paz, “Go inside the Trump rally at Madison Square Garden,” NYCity News Service, CUNY
- Stella Ragas, “Shafik authorizes NYPD to sweep ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment,’ officers in riot gear arrest over 100,” Columbia Daily Spectator, Columbia University
News Videography
- (Winner) Julian J. Giordano, “Pro-Palestine protesters begin encampment in Harvard Yard,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
- Lizbeth Fuentes Ascencio, “Food vendors compete with restaurants in Jackson Heights, Harlem View, The City College of New York
In-Depth Reporting (Small, under 10k students)
- (Winner) Nathan Hope, Charlotte King, “Keene State College conduct cases,” The Equinox, Keene State College
- Allie Miller, “Beyond the binary,” The Hawk News, Saint Josephs University
- Fiona Corr, “Bethlehem public schools combat mental health crisis,” The Brown and White, Lehigh University
In-Depth Reporting (Large, 10k+ students)
- (Winner) Chloe Budakian, “A theater of hunger,” The New Journal, Yale University
- Jack R. Trapanick, “In Allston’s Brazilian community, new arrivals suffer in overcrowded apartments,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
- Ben Binday, Jasmine Ni, “The encampment lifes,” The Daily Pennsylvanian, University of Pennsylvania
Television In-Depth Reporting
- (Winner) Sophia Montanye, “The reality behind Turkey’s water resources,” Centre County Report, Penn State University
- Zach Richter, Jamie Korenblat, Nardeen Saleep, Josh Feldstein, “Green black market, NCC News (Newhouse Spotlight), Syracuse University
- Margueritte Bellotti, Brandon Myers, staff, “CitrusTV Election Night 2024,” CitrusTV, Syracuse University
Radio In-Depth Reporting
- (Winner) Perry Gregory, “New rat city,” AudioFiles, CUNY
- Zach Jaworski, “How Watertown’s rare, non-partisan government shapes its elections,” North Country Public Radio, St. Lawrence University
- Jamie Korenblat, “The green black market,” NCC News, Syracuse University
Best All-Around Television Newscast
- (Winner) HEAT Network staff, “Hofstra Votes Live 2024,” HEAT Network, Hofstra University
- Staff, “Centre County Report,” Centre County Report, Penn State University
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
- (Winner) Staff, “WRHU FM Newsline,” WRHU FM, Hofstra University
Sports Writing (Small, under 10k students)
- (Winner) Sophia Oppedisano, “Women’s ice hockey opens inaugural season: Historic moment for Framingham women’s athletics,” The Gatepost, Framingham State
- Kyra Tolley, Riley Crowell, “Shot stoppers – a dive into the art of goalkeeping,” The Gatepost, Framingham State
- Mia Messina, “Women’s Big 5 coverage lacking despite growing interest,” The Hawk News, Saint Josephs University
Sports Writing (Large, 10k+ students)
- (Winner) Pedro Gray Soares, “Sign man: A fan’s unmatched legacy,” Massachusetts Daily Collegian, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Heather Chen, Takashi Williams, “‘It’s hard to stay silent’: Pro-Palestinian athletes on the risks of speaking out at Columbia,” Columbia Daily Spectator, Columbia University
- Vivian Yao, Sean McKeown, Walker Carnathan, “‘I don’t feel safe’: Penn track and field program accused of sexual harassment, mistreatment,” The Daily Pennsylvanian, University of Pennsylvania
Television Sports Reporting
- (Winner) Savannah Wood, “Centre County is key spot for fastest growing high school sport,” Centre County Report, Penn State University
- Nico Horning, “ACC Women’s Soccer coast-to-coast travel feature,” ACC Network Extra, Syracuse University
- Ryan Eslinger, “The Brotherhood: Rugby Club aims to grow the sport in Pennsylvania,” Centre County Report, Penn State University
Radio Sports Reporting
- (Winner) Graham Hartmann, “Real life gladiators fight in medieval combat tournament,” AudioFiles, CUNY
Sports Photography
- (Winner) Jackson Ranger, “Paralympic hard knocks,” Bellisario Student Media, Penn State University
- Dov Weinstein Elul, “Field Hockey: No. 2 Northwestern’s overtime victory over Virginia carries the weight of a title bout,” The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University
- Jackson Ranger, “Olympic retirement,” Bellisario Student Media, Penn State University
Sports Videography
- (Winner) Lara R. Berliner, Julian J. Giordano, Ben J. Lann, “Harvard Men’s Crew prepares for 2024 Head of the Charles Regatta,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
Feature Writing (Small, under 10k students)
- (Winner) Jay’Mi Vazquez, Julien Laforest, “Locked in,” Crescent Magazine, Southern Connecticut State University
- Ryan O’Connell, “El nuevo periódico: A behind-the-scenes look at Framingham State’s newest student-run publication,” The Gatepost, Framingham State
- Jay’Mi Vazquez, “Over the edge,” Crescent Magazine, Southern Connecticut State University
Feature Writing (Large, 10k+ students)
- (Winner) Allison Beck, “From blight to blessing,” The Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting, Temple University
- Joe Lister, “Another day on the job,” Bellisario Student Media, Penn State University
Television Feature Reporting
- (Winner) Moira Vaughan, “Welding with a purpose,” NCC News, Syracuse University
- Max Williams, “Central New York drive-In opens for first time in 40 years,” NCC News, Syracuse University
- Erin Holton, Facundo Martinez, Sofia Milojevic, “One more minute: A mother’s fight for bridge barriers,” Highlands Current, Marist University
Radio Feature
- (Winner) Zach Jaworski, “Newspaper press in the Adirondacks keeps printing despite national trends,” North Country Public Radio, St. Lawrence University
Feature Photography
- (Winner) Lars Jendruschewitz, “The Dollhouse is the ‘most inclusive house’ for CNY bands,” The Daily Orange, Syracuse University
- Esteban Marenco, “Upside down flier,” Bellisario Student Media, Penn State University
- Tyrese Abdul-Shakoor, “Locked in,” Crescent magazine, Southern Connecticut State University
Feature Videography
- (Winner) Matthew Ferrera, “Art exhibit dismantles stereotypes of incarcerated people,” NYCity News Service, CUNY
- Joe Zhao, “On the Fly diner brings Cajun food to Syracuse with ‘labor of love’,” The Daily Orange, Syracuse University
Investigative Reporting
- (Winner) NYCity News Service Staff, “Day care danger,” NYCity News Service, CUNY
- Owen Dahlkamp, “How Brown’s inner circle helps well connected applicants get admitted,” The Brown Daily Herald, Brown University
- John Perik, Lilli Iannella, Finn Lincoln, Julie Gilchrest, “Chipped away,” NCC News, Syracuse University
Regional Political Reporting
- (Winner) Matan H. Josephy, “In Harvard’s backyard, A state representative fights for her political life,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
- Peter Guziejewski, “Signs pointed to Trump’s close race in New Jersey and others,” The Montclarion, Montclair State University
- Margueritte Bellotti, Luke Radel, Jake Morel, Ben Bascuk, “Talking Points,” CitrusTV, Syracuse University
Campus Reporting
- (Winner) Columbus Daily Spectator staff, “Our campus. Our crisis. Inside the encampments and crackdowns that shook American politics.,” Columbia Daily Spectator / New York Magazine, Columbia University
- Harvard Crimson staff, “Viral Veritas: How student influencers turn Harvard into payouts and purpose,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
- Ann Vettikkal, “The stakes of solidarity: What low-income students risked the day of Columbia’s April 18 mass arrest,” Columbia Daily Spectator, Columbia University
Science/Environment/Climate Reporting
- (Winner) Serena Jampel, “Are whales trying to tell us something?,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
- Grace McConnell, Julia Virnelli, Dan Klosowski, Gloria Rivera, “Catch of the day: The round goby,” The Canal Keepers, Syracuse University
Collaborative Journalism
- (Winner) A Tale of Two Cities staff, “A tale of two cities: Reclaiming Niagara Falls and Salinas,” The Newhouse School, Syracuse University, Universidad del Sagrado Corazón
General Column Writing
- (Winner) Rachael A. Dziaba, “A broken system,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
- Yona T. Sperling-Milner, “A school outside Boston,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
- Sarhia Rahim, “Daily Orange columns,” The Daily Orange, Syracuse University
Editorial/Opinion Writing
- (Winner) The Harvard Crimson editorial board, “Harvard Crimson editorials,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
- Samuel Cavalhiero, “Massachusetts Daily Collegian columns,” Massachusetts Daily Collegian, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Cassandra Michalakis, Colin Luderitz, “Montclarion editorials,” The Montclarion, Montclair State University
Personality Profile (Small, under 10k+ students)
- (Winner) Isabella Insingo, “An introspection of professor Christopher Driscollli,” The Brown and White, Lehigh University
- Arava Rose, “Professor’s travel passion inspires global research,” The Brown and White, Lehigh University
- Mia Rose Kohn, “Gaze Long,” Yale Daily News, Yale University
Personality Profile (Large, 10k+ students)
- (Winner) Aiden Stepansky, “Bows up: Freshman Elijah Moore brings signature elbow celebration to SU,” The Daily Orange, Syracuse University
- Emma Kelly, “The heart of the valley,” Bellisario Student Media, Penn State University
- Truth Headlam, “From starting line to starting over: The path to launch a sports radio network,” NYCity News Service, CUNY
Cultural Criticism
- (Winner) Vivienne Germain, “Harvard Crimson columns,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
Arts/Entertainment/Fashion Journalism
- (Winner) Hannah Seeman, “Broadway Broadcast,” WRHU FM / WRHU.org – Radio Hofstra University, Hofstra University
- Suzanne Bagia, “As Puerto Rico prepares for its gubernatorial elections, Bad Bunny ensures his community is heard,” Massachusetts Daily Collegian, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Victoria Palumbo, “I read 150+ pages of a BoF-McKinsey Report so you don’t have to: The state of fashion 2025,” The Marist Circle, Marist University
Food/Restaurant Journalism
- (Winner) Apolline Lamy, “How far to get food in Weeksville, Brooklyn?,” NYCity News Service, CUNY
- Adeshewa Coker, “Jollof Wars at First Love NY Church,” Harlem View, The City College of New York
- Rob Ferguson, Jordan Reed, “Montclair hidden gem “da Pepo” offers taste of Italy inside bookstore,” The Montclarion, Montclair State University
Retail/Small Business Journalism
- (Winner) CitrusTV staff, “Parthenon Books emphasizes shopping local | Juice and Java,” CitrusTV, Syracuse University
Podcast (Narrative)
- (Winner) Rebecca Rand, Caroline Handel, “What’s it like to plan for when you lose it?,” AudioFiles, CUNY
- Cade Miller, “The Wakefields: Two brothers, Six generations,” The News Lab / West Virginia Public Media, Penn State University
- AudioFiles staff, “Dancing, drones and changes across New York,” AudioFiles, CUNY
Podcast (Conversational)
- (Winner) Sophia Moore, Alejandro Rosales, Tommy DaSilva, “We the Students: LGBTQ+ in America,” The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
Illustration
- Catherine H. Feng, “Harvard’s feeder schools,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
- Kelsea Petersen, “Inside Columbia’s surveillance and disciplinary operation for student protesters,” Columbia Daily Spectator, Columbia University
- (Winner) Dorothea Dolan, “New York Jazz,” Jerk, Syracuse University
Photo Illustration
- (Winner) Zobayer Joti, “The American Dream,” Jerk, Syracuse University
- Josiah Thomas, “Mervin James’ journey to Rider,” The Rider News, Rider University
- Hannah S. Lee, “Infighting and pressure from above: Inside Harvard’s Legacy of Slavery initiative,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
Photo Essay/Slideshow
- (Winner) Natalie Book, “Last sermon,” Bellisario Student Media, Penn State University
- Cassandra Roshu, “Otto Tunes’ first ICCA semifinals is the result of a close knit brotherhood,” The Daily Orange, Syracuse University
- Arthur Maiorella, “A look inside local recycling,” The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
Data Visualization
- (Winner) Brown Daily Herald staff, “Tracking the path to professorship at Brown University,” The Brown Daily Herald, Brown University
- Elyse C. Goncalves, Matan H. Josephy, Grayson M. Martin, “Most schools dream of sending students to Harvard. These 21 expect to.,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
Best Use of Multimedia
- (Winner) The News Lab staff, “East Palestine: One year later,” The News Lab, Penn State University
- Zach Nemirovsky, “Impact unveiled: Wildfire smoke,” The NewsHouse, Syracuse University
- Alexander D. Cai, Dennis S. Eum, Neil H. Shah, Victoria A. Kauffman, “The Editorial Board’s overseer endorsements,” The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
Best Affiliated Web Site
- (Winner) The Ithacan, theithacan.org, Ithaca College
- The Daily Orange, dailyorange.com, Syracuse University
- The Equinox, kscequinox.com, Keene State College
Best Independent Online Student Publication
- (Winner) Scienceline, New York University
- Harlem View, The City College of New York
- The Herring, Amsterdam University College
Best Ongoing Student Magazine
- (Winner) The New Journal, Yale University
- Baked, Syracuse University
- Jerk, Syracuse University
Best Single-issue Student Magazine
- (Winner) Scienceline staff, “NYC under the surface,” Scienceline, New York University
Best All-Around Television News Magazine
- (Winner) Centre County Report staff, “Centre County Report in Turkey,” Centre County Report, Penn State University
Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Small, under 10k students)
- (Winner) The Ithacan, Ithaca College
- The Equinox, Keene State College
- The Gatepost, Framingham State
Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large, 10k+ students)
- (Winner) Columbia Daily Spectator, Columbia University
- The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University
- The Vector, New Jersey Institute of Technology
