SPJ Announces 2007 Mark of Excellence Award Winners from Ala.; Fla.; Ga.; S.C.

The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the Mark of Excellence Award winners from Ala.; Fla.; Ga. and S.C. for the 2007 calendar year. This year, collegiate journalists submitted more than 3,400 entries in 39 categories across SPJ's 12 regions.

The honorees were awarded certificates on March 29 at the Spring Conference held at the University of South Carolina. First place regional winners will advance to the national round of judging, which takes place next month. National winners will be announced in mid-May.

For additional information on the Mark of Excellence Awards, please contact Heather Porter at 317-927-8000 ext. 204.

The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. The organization is the nation's most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.

2007 Region 3 Winners:

Breaking News Reporting

--  First Place: Melissa Patterson, University of Central Florida,
    "Thousands of bridges in state, U.S. need repair"
--  Second Place: Abe Aboraya, University of Central Florida, "One AK-
    47, 54 bullets"
--  Third Place: Carolyn Crist & Jessica Levine, University of
    Georgia, "Missing student found dead"

General News Reporting

--  First Place: The Red & Black Staff, University of Georgia,
    Pharmacy Scandal"
--  Second Place: Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Kelly McCoy, Salvador Rizzo &
    Susan McMillan, Emory University, "Dalai Lama's visit to Emory"
--  Third Place: no award

In-Depth Reporting

--  First Place: Jill Stephens & Christopher Aleman, University of
    South Carolina, "Jena 6 Coverage"
--  Second Place: Greg Webster, University of South Carolina, "Nursing
    home in bankruptcy"
--  Third Place: Sara Pauff, University of Georgia, "A hotbed of
    hatred?"

Feature Writing

--  First Place: Brian Hughes, University of Georgia, "Facebook for
    the great beyond"
--  Second Place: Bart Zino, University of Central Florida, "You want
    to be like Micah?"
--  Third Place: Tara Young, University of Central Florida, "Sketch me
    if you can"

Sports Writing

--  First Place: Brian Murphy, University of Central Florida,
    "Freshman beats cancer for incredible comeback"
--  Second Place: Nicholas Zaccardi, University of Florida, "The
    Chosen One"
--  Third Place: Phillip Kisubika, University of Georgia, "Petite
    Powerhouses"

Editorial Writing

--  First Place: Adam O. Manzor, University of Central Florida
--  Second Place: The Red & Black Staff, University of Georgia
--  Third Place: Nayda Verier-Taylor, University of Miami

Editorial Cartooning

--  First Place: Bill Richards, University of Georgia
--  Second Place: Jeff Sheridan, University of South Florida
--  Third Place: Ryan Moulton, University of Florida

General Column Writing

--  First Place: Grant Lowther, University of Central Florida
--  Second Place: Melissa Heyboer, University of Central Florida
--  Third Place: Josh White, University of Georgia

Sports Column Writing

--  First Place: Kevin Smetana, University of South Florida
--  Second Place: no award
--  Third Place: no award

Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper (published at least 4 times per week)

--  First Place: Staff, University of South Florida, "The Oracle"
--  Second Place: Staff, University of Florida, "The Independent
    Florida Alligator"
--  Third Place: Staff, University of Georgia, "The Red & Black"

Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper (published less than 4 times per week)

--  First Place: Staff, Emory University, "The Emory Wheel"
--  Second Place: Staff, University of Miami, "The Miami Hurricane"
--  Third Place: Staff, University of Central Florida, "Central
    Florida Future"

Magazine Non-Fiction Article

no awards in this category

Best Student Magazine

--  First Place: Staff, Miami Dade College, "Miambiance Magazine"
--  Second Place: no award
--  Third Place:  no award

Breaking News Photography

--  First Place: Ryan Pelham, University of Central Florida, "Heroes
    Rescue 3"
--  Second Place: Justin Broome, University of South Carolina, "Jena
    rally draws diverse crowd"
--  Third Place: Danielle Hutlas, University of Georgia, "Missing
    student found dead"

General News Photography

--  First Place:  Jon Krolewicz, University of South Carolina,
    "Returning to Society"
--  Second Place: Kelly Wegel, University of Georgia, "Indecent
    Exposure"
--  Third Place: Amanda Moore, University of Central Florida, "A
    different take on night life"

Feature Photography

--  First Place: T.G. Paschal, University of Alabama, "Pickin' and
    Grinnin'"
--  Second Place: Josh D. Weiss, University of Georgia, "Downtown
    Athens Turns Tropical"
--  Third Place: The Red & Black Staff, University of Georgia,
    "AthFest"