Journalism alumna wins first place in inaugural 2024-25 Hearst Journalism Awards Podcast Competition

Sophia Young, a ‘24 Honors Tutorial College (HTC) journalism alumna, won first place in the inaugural podcast competition in the 2024-25 Hearst Journalism Awards. Young will receive a $3,000 award. Young was one of three Ohio University journalism students and three visual communication majors who placed in the top 20 this year. The Hearst Awards Program consists of 14 competitions in college writing, photojournalism, audio, television and multimedia.

“I was so shocked for this incredible recognition,” said Young. “It’s really an honor that I didn’t really ever think I ‘d be considered for.”

Young, who now works as a videographer at WPXI TV in Pittsburgh, put together an investigative podcast examining issues with the troubled teen industry. The industry consists of a myriad of youth residential programs aimed at struggling teenagers nationwide.

“The topic of the troubled teen industry was of great interest to Sophia, and her research and investigative skills helped her tell the story of one facility, but through the experiences of former patients,” said HTC Director of Studies and Professor Elizabeth Henrickson. “Sophia created a very compelling narrative, and the podcast was beautifully produced. I think the judges wanted to reward her powerful work.”

As a student, Young participated in experiential learning opportunities on campus at The Post and the Ohio University Communications and Marketing Student News Bureau.

Hailey Swaino, a ’24 non-degree alumnus, placed third in the audio competition and will receive a $1,500 award. Charley Szydlyk, a rising junior visual communication major, placed seventh in the photojournalism picture story/series competition, Ben Pennington, a rising junior visual communication major, placed eighth in the News and Features Photojournalism competition, Ayiana Andrella, a rising senior visual communication major, tied for fourteenth place in the news and features photojournalism competition and Taylor Henninger, a ’25 journalism alumna, placed sixteenth in the explanatory reporting competition. In the overall intercollegiate photojournalism competition, Ohio University placed fifth. In the overall intercollegiate broadcast competition, Ohio University placed seventh.

“Having three of our journalism students place in the top 20 of this year’s Hearst Awards was a significant boost to Ohio University’s national reputation of having one of the top journalism programs in the country,” said E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Director Eddith Dashiell. “Sophia’s first-place award in Hearst’s inaugural podcast competition was evidence of the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism’s commitment to training our students with the skill sets they need to have successful careers in this ever-changing digital environment. Congratulations to Haley for placing third in the audio competition and Taylor for her 16th place finish in the explanatory reporting.”

"We are so proud of our students' consistent placement in this prestigious competition,” said said Visual Communication Professor Stan Alost. “It assures faculty that our program is attracting some of the most talented students in the country and that our curriculum helps develop some of the leading photojournalists as they enter the field.”