OHIO’s Scripps journalism students take top prize in four categories at regional journalism contest

Students from OHIO’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism won top prize in four categories in the Society of Professional Journalists Region 4 Mark of Excellence contest. Several Scripps students also finished as finalists in seven other categories.

“Every day, OHIO benefits from the excellent work our students produce,” Nerissa Young, OHIO’s SPJ adviser, said. “I’m not sure the campus community realizes the work that our students produce is known for excellence across the region and nation.”

SPJ’s Region 4 comprises Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania. First-place winners will compete at the national level among winners from SPJ’s other 11 regions. Ohio University competes in the large university division (enrollment 10,000+).

“It's really cool to be recognized for my hard work,” Keri Johnson, a sophomore award winner, said. “I wouldn't have been able to write this piece without the support and guidance from my colleagues at The Post. Being recognized by the SPJ motivates me to continue working as a journalist and writing pieces for our campus's awesome publication.”

Regional winners are normally recognized at spring regional conferences; however, all SPJ regional conferences were canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Region 4’s Conference was to take place in Columbus on April 3-4.

The winners include:

• Newspaper General News Reporting: “Ohio University’s party school reputation fell off in the 2010s” published in The Post by Keri Johnson, sophomore from Vinton, Ohio
• Newspaper editorial writing: The Post editorials by staff
• General News Photography: “Students take to College Green to protest budget crisis” published in The New Political by Sarah Donaldson, sophomore from Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
• Online Opinion & Commentary: “The Daily Northwestern and its impact on ethical journalism” published in The New Political by Charlotte Caldwell, sophomore from Franklin, Ohio

The finalists include:

• Newspaper General News Reporting: “Fighting for life: How an infestatious pest has killed eastern hemlock trees across Appalachia” published in The Post by Ashton Nichols, junior from Mason, Ohio
• Newspaper In-Depth Reporting: “Meet the student who initiated an investigation into Athens City School District’s Title IX policies” published in The Post by Maggie Campbell, senior from Oakton, Virginia
• Feature Photography: “The story of Ben Schlater, the Vinton Elementary School teacher turned pro boxer” published in The Post by Blake Nissen, junior from Mason, Ohio
• Best Student Magazine: Backdrop staff’s “The Community Issue” and The New Political staff’s “YOU are Here”
• Online In-Depth Reporting: “Baileys Trail System: What its construction means for Athens County” published in The New Political by Emily Crebs, freshman from Kirtland, Ohio
• Online/Digital Feature Videography: “The demolition of Brown House” published in The New Political by Sarah Donaldson, sophomore from Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania

SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.