St. Juan Diego Collegiate Awards

Alumni Magazine Division

AM01: Best Feature Article

First Place

University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Magazine, “Our Lady of the Snite”, John Nagy

“Our Lady of the Snite” boasts an outstanding lead. The painstakingly crafted article is impressive in its use of language — for instance, personification in discussion of the titular sculpture. The author writes as if talking to a friend, characteristic of a fine journalist, and in the process skillfully establishes and maintains reader interest in a rather complex story.

Second Place

Mount Saint Mary College, Mount Saint Mary College Magazine, “Our Newest Entrepreneurs”, Matthew and Lee Ferris

This focused, thorough story represents an admirable blend of interviewees’ quotations and author’s observations. The topic is a relevant one, likely to have generated considerable interest among the publication’s readers. The entrepreneurs’ sharing of how their college studies paved the way to their business lives is a unifying and worthwhile feature.

Third Place

University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Magazine, “A Life Unscripted”, Joseph Lewis Heil

“A Life Unscripted” is an interesting story, start to finish. Well-chosen details establish its subject as an extraordinary character. The author’s prose is very readable.

AM03: Best Article - Current Issues

First Place

University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Magazine, “A New Equality”, Jessica Keating Floyd

“A New Equality” is an outstanding essay, extremely thoughtful and thought-provoking. It captured my attention at the outset and never let go. The writer’s own competent prose is seasoned with well-chosen quotations (sometimes surprising, given their sources) and references to literary figures. Impressively, the author traces the evolution of feminism and discusses causes of abortion and ways of dealing with them.

AM10: Best Single Photo

First Place

The Catholic University of America, CatholicU, “Farewell Franciscans”, Kristin Reavey

The image is attractive, with good exposure and nice, balanced colors. I really like the crop applied in the final, printed image. While the composition in the full, original image feels a bit unbalanced, the crop fixes that and creates a very nice composition. The image might have been improved with a slightly shallower depth of field, further separating the subject from the detail in the surrounding landscape. Lighting is also a bit flat and could have been more interesting at another time of day.

AM12b: Best Story and Photo Package - By two individuals or more

First Place

Mount Saint Mary College, Mount Saint Mary College Magazine, “On the Road Again”, Matthew Frey and Taylor Walton

A timely, interesting alumna feature piece. The topic lends itself to lovely photography, which has been well achieved here. The story is interesting, and it carries along at an appropriate pace. The selection of images is well-chosen.

Second Place

La Salle University, La Salle Magazine, “A Call to Courage”, Christopher A. Vito and Brian Morrissey

This is an attractive spread of images that are very technically proficient and tell the story exactly as they should. I’d have liked to see just a bit more variety in the imagery — there were plenty of images from inauguration that felt very similar. The story is fantastic—very well-written. It opened in an interesting way that immediately grabbed my attention and kept me reading. The topic had potential to be dry, but the writer made sure to bring it to life.

AM20: Alumni Magazine of the Year

First Place

The Catholic University of America, CatholicU, Spring 2022 and Fall 2022, Ellen N. Woods, Joshua Harless, Kathy Howe Bagley, Mariana Barillas, Mary McCarthy Hines, Anne Klockenkemper, Gabrielle Obusek, Kristin Reavey and Patrick Ryan

Publications aimed at alumni are full of wonderfully uplifting stories about former and present students and faculty, athletic victories and campus growth and development. But this publication spotlighted what the author calls a story that is not a comfortable or easy history — the system of plantations maintained by Jesuits to fund their work. Yes, these priests bought and sold slaves up into the early 20th century. The story and research actually was designed to give voice to those slaves and to connect their descendants to them, a marvelous task that includes a great deal of digging, both in history books and in the earth uncovering artifacts. That detail carries over into the careful yet reader-friendly writing of this painful bit of history and sets this alumni magazine apart from the others.

Second Place

Saint Anselm College, Portraits Magazine, Portraits Magazine Fall/Winter 2022; Portraits Magazine Spring/Summer 2022, Kate Grip Denon, Paul J. Pronovost and Annee Newton Giard

A conversation with documentary film giant Ken Burns isn’t all that unusual, but the one in this publication focuses less on what he views through the camera and more on how he views himself and humanity: Who am I? What am I doing here? And what is my relationship and obligation to other people? Questions we all need to ask of ourselves and perfect for a campus publication to pose to others. This magazine also offers a moving account of a student from the Bahamas who credits kindness shown him on campus with helping him succeed in the professional world. Again, a grand addition to an alumni magazine.

Third Place

Le Moyne College, New Heights - The Magazine of Le Moyne College, Le Moyne College Alumni Magazine, Molly McCarthy, Editor; Penny Santy, Art Director; Patrick Finlon, Associate Vice President for Marketing Communications; and Joe Della Posta, Director of Communications

Two standout additions bump this publication above many other alumni magazines. One is asking grads what campus life was like during major historical events, like selection of a pope, the Vietnam war, graduation and a remarkable basketball victory. The second is a wonderful quiz about the school itself, like on what TV show did the school glee club appear and who was the longest serving school president. Great trivial pursuit for grads.

Honorable Mention

Mount St. Joseph University, Mount News Magazine, Mount News Magazine, Editorial Team: Kathleen Scanlan Cardwell, Morgan Carpenter, Greg Goldschmidt, Amanda Gratsch and Blake Watson. Designer: Amanda Absher. Writers: Jessica Baltzersen, Tabari McCoy, Zachary Petit and Richelle Thompson. Managing Editor: Kara Gebhart Uhl.

Web page very well done.

Student Journalism Division

S01: Writer of the Year

First Place

Barry University, The Barry Buccaneer, “Exposing Amazon”, Suzannah Young

“Outstanding writing from a wonderfully strong lede to the end with amazing quotes like “I call it modern day slavery,” when a worker describes working condition in an Amazon factory. After drawing in the reader, the story expands to complaints about Amazon going back to 2011 including an undercover journalist’s opinion that working conditions paralleled a prison experience. Critique: Reader should know sooner that, despite the hardships, the student worker will continue working at Amazon because of perks like Amazon contributing money toward tuition and that while Amazon is bad, other warehouse jobs are even worse.”

Second Place

Barry University, The Barry Buccaneer, “The Busing, Flyer, and Dropping off of Asylum Seekers Across U.S. ”, Isabel Pulgarin

“A complete well thought out and organized look at the actions of three Republican governors who shipped migrants to far away destinations with false promises and hopes. This straight up hard news story gives us present and past practices but also offers views on both sides of the issue. Expertly crafted and presented. Critique: Be sure reader knows who is being quoted. Early on you have a lengthy quote with attribution at the end so we really don’t know who is being quoted. Also, maybe some quotes pro and con could be a bit higher. That would break up the hard news approach so you don’t have a lot of history without some current thoughts.”

Third Place

DePaul University, 14 East, DePaul News, Mariah Hernandez

“This series of stories bringing students up to date on university policies on COVID restrictions, including use of masks offers a much-needed primer because of confusion and differing policies among cities, the state and schools. Basically, everything a student needs to know is in these stories so they serve as a one stop destination for all that is COVID. Critique: Ledes need work. They could be more interesting if they offered some specifics instead of just a summary telling reader that changes have been made. We want to draw in readers with a quick look that will want to make them read on. Summary ledes can do that to some extent, but they lack appeal.”

Honorable Mention

Lewis University, The Flyer Student Newspaper, “Ruben van Leeuwen: a story of success, change, persistence,” “A Season to Remember for “Women’s Golf,” “Swimmers Set the Bar High for Midseason”, Dani Navarrete

Critique: Ledes need work. they are long and state the obvious. Information is all there but needs to be presented in a more readable and interesting approach.

S02: Best Article on Social Justice

First Place

DePaul University, The DePaulia, “Chicago Latinos receive migrants with open arms”, Jacqueline Cardenas, Nadia Carolina Hernandez and Stephania Rodriguez

What a wonderfully crafted story. We are immediately pulled into the agony of a mother and hungry daughter and the realization that they must flee Venezuela for the United States via Mexico, a perilous venture that eventually ends in Chicago and new opportunities thanks to that city’s efforts to help migrants. This has it all — personal struggles along with local and national aspects of migration. Critique: The lede is a bit confusing with three “hers.” Would work better as one sentence. And saying the journey to Mexico was “not easy,” is like saying Chicago winters are not mild. The trip is perilous, frightening, exhausting, far from “not easy.”

Second Place

Neumann University, NeuPress, “DEI Council begins, but work remains”, Gia Marcinkowska

Such a nice flowing story that brings together a woman on a mission and a university that provides the means for her to fulfill that mission through creation of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusive council. Along the way we glimpse the need through the eyes of students who have felt no equity and inclusion because of their diversity. Critique: The lede needs to be stronger. She may have saved a life, so let us know — in the parking lot, man or woman or child, reaction of the person, etc. Not just “someone.”

Third Place

Barry University, The Barry Buccaneer, “Protect the Vote”, Amanda Gonzalez Garcia

“This well documented story brings us up to date on voter restriction laws going back to the mid-1800s and ending with new laws imposed in Florida that make voting more difficult for people who fall into elderly, working or mobility impaired groups as well as former felons still paying court ordered restitution. The underlying issue is to sideline certain voters to benefit those in power who see a threat from those voters. Critique: Author switches from talking about voters in general to “you must” do this or that. Stick with one approach, either talking about voters or what you, the individual voter, faces or must do.”

Honorable Mention

DePaul University, 14 East, “Pilot to Policy: Guaranteed Income Spreads Across Chicago”, Kate Linderman

Critique: This is a good explainer about guaranteed income plans to help low-income families, so why not tell the story of one of those families, how they use the money, etc. Such inclusion would enhance interest and make the story more readable and useful.

S03: Best Creative Writing

First Place

Barry University, The Barry Buccaneer, “How to Tell You’re from Miami”, Alyssa Diaz

“How to Tell You’re from Miami” is very readable and entertaining, a compact yet thorough composition. Examples of Spanish idioms help put the reader on the scene. The author’s self-effacing style enhances the essay’s creativity. This is the work of a gifted. The writer is capable of striking imagery at times.

Second Place

Belmont Abbey College, The Crusader Newspaper and Agora Literary Journal, “College is Like a Painting” “The Golden Thread” “October Chances” “Sky Top”, Helen Behe

The writer has produced some very clever lines and phrases — such as (in the poem “Sky Top”) the alliterative “somersaulting strokes of sunshine” and the concluding sentence “So floor the gas and hang a hard left — We’ve got whimsy to chase.”

Third Place

Lewis University, The Flyer Student Newspaper, “‘Jeen-Yuhs’ depicts humble beginnings of Kanye Westjust”, Lauren Harris

"Jeen-Yuhs" is a well-constructed essay. It offers a solid lead, and shortly thereafter provides a fine, succinct paragraph of personal observation. By essay’s end, the author has left precious few of the excellent-critical-review bases untouched.

S10: Best Front Page

First Place

DePaul University, The DePaulia, Front Page 11/7/2022, The DePaulia Staff

Great job! This front page covered a timely issue (the election) and had a great mix of visuals and text. The picture of the US on the red to blue gradient was a nice touch. The percentage points for each party also helped make the information easily digestible to readers. One potential idea for improvement would be to use a photograph of people in line to vote, people with candidate signs, people with “I voted” stickers, etc. Instead of just having the candidate headshots and the computer graphics.

Second Place

Barry University, The Barry Buccaneer, “Barry Books Be Gone”, Willima Nguyen and Amanda Gonzalez Garcia

The photo was very cool, I liked that the student was in focus and the books around her (except one) were blurred. It was also interesting to see the student in a mask, as this serves as a time capsule for these last few years. I liked that the photo filled the whole page, but it also meant that there was very little text. I would have liked to get a small preview into at least one article instead of just the headline for each.

Third Place

University of Dayton, Flyer News, “12:06 p.m.”, Zoe Hill, Tori Miller and Bridgett Dillenburger

Active shooter drills and communication during them are clearly timely issues and this submission demonstrates a commitment to covering important current events. The “six minutes” emphasis was compelling and effective. One potential area for improvement is increasing the size of the text that explains where/what the picture was from for people who are not aware. Additionally, the photograph’s focus on police officers and guns made me think that the story was going to be about police violence, and I had to read closely to learn otherwise.

Honorable Mention

Lewis University, The Flyer Student Newspaper, “Lewis Celebrates 90 Years of Education”, Irena Ilic and Khristian Ogao

I like that this submission had a good mix of graphics and text on the front page. It was easy to read the headlines and know from a quick glance what would be covered. It would have been even stronger if there was a photograph in addition to the computer-generated graphics. While the two topics covered are interesting (and I do see how they are timely in a way) and relevant to the intended community readership, neither was like a high-priority current event like some of the other submissions.

S11: Best Use of Graphics with an Article

First Place

Barry University, The Barry Buccaneer, “Underline Miami Powers Community”, Patrixia Rosario

Photos were well chosen and positioned. Text was clear and concise. Definitely a winner!

Second Place

Barry University, The Barry Buccaneer+Q29, “The Parkland Aftereffects”, Patrixia Rosario

Good group shot; poster “Thoughts & Prayers Don’t Save Lives. Gun Reform Will.” is very effective. Diversity of students quoted, all to the point.

Third Place

Barry University, The Barry Buccaneer, “Top Ten Binge-Worthy Series”, Patrixia Rosario

Loved the middle graphic on second page: "Thoughts & Prayers Don’t Save Lives. Gun Reform Will." Good cross-section of students. Text is well written.

Honorable Mention

Lewis University, The Flyer Student Newspaper, “CDC chooses money over health”, Stephanie Lingenfelter

Honorable Mention

DePaul University, The DePaulia, “Trick or train: Student body ‘ghosted’ by CTA trains and buses”, Maya Oclassen

Part 2 of each article should have been submitted. What is here is good but not totally complete.

S12a: Best Presentation of Faith on Campus - Single Article

First Place

Lewis University, The Flyer Student Newspaper, “Expand your world view of Ethiopia”, Katelyn Leano

The article described a presentation to the students and faculty about the history, culture, and roots of faith in Ethiopia. It is important to be informed about other faiths to help understand our own faith. This is well written coverage of the lecture.

Second Place

DePaul University, The DePaulia, “OPINION: Christianity is not an excuse to pass judgment”, Kiersten Riedford

The quotes from students about their faith experiences strengthen the piece by showing various views of Christianity. The writing was a somewhat flat and could have used more feeling.

S12c: Best Presentation of Faith on Campus - Single Video

First Place

Spring Hill College, Spring Hill Now Newscast, “Blackout Event on The Hill”, Beau Reed

This video does a great job of telling a complete story, with appropriate and technically proficient videography. The topic is timely and important. Videography included some great, touching clips that showcased the powerful emotions at this event. The story could be improved with a little more editing, tightening it up and decreasing the length. The piece is about twice as long as it needs to be.

S13: Best use of Multimedia for Storytelling

First Place

DePaul University, 14 East, “Why They Walked Out: CPS Students Take to the Streets to Protest COVID-19 Safety in Schools”, Elly Boes, Grace Del Vecchio, Jahlynn Hancock, Kate Linderman and Emily Soto

A well-done submission. Nice variety of high-quality multimedia elements that tell the story well.

Second Place

University of San Diego, Episode 8, “Episode 8”, Gabrielle Grimm, Megan Shannon, Andrew Corbo, Spencer Bispham, Lily Rand and Gaby Sanchez

A great entry with lovely imagery that brings the story to life. The entry could have been improved by adding more multimedia elements—additional video lending more perspective to the story, more photos, etc.

Third Place

Xavier University, St. Francis Xavier and the Crab, “St. Francis Xavier and the Crab Video”, Zack Brossart and Ed Schmidt, SJ, Xavier University Center for Mission and Identity

A well-done video with an interesting and unique perspective. The entry could have been improved by adding additional multimedia elements—having the video on a page with written text, photos, audio, etc. would have made for a more engaging, interactive entry.

Honorable Mention

DePaul University, The DePaulia, “DePaul dances in the name of Durga Devi”, Ruchi Nawathe and Amber Stoutenborough

A well-done episode. I appreciate the links to go directly to segments described in the caption.

S20a: Best Single Photo - Digital

First Place

University of Dayton, Flyer News, “The Slam”, Keegan Gupta

Great technical skill displayed — proper camera settings to capture the fast action, good exposure, and fantastic composition. The full image shows unusually interesting movement. Unfortunately, the crop used in print does not do the image justice. The leading lines on the court and in the crowd, and the position and posture of each of the other players is fantastic.

Second Place

The Barry Buccaneer, The Barry Buccaneer, “Rate My Professors: Elena Maria Garcia”, Leonardo Triana

Image is well-composed and technically proficient. It communicates appropriate information to accompany the article. I might have preferred to see the professor in action, with students visibly enjoying an instructional setting, vs. a static posed image.

Third Place

DePaul University, The DePaulia, “Riot Fest Feature Photo”, Frankie Perez

Image displays good technical elements. It could have been improved by finding a more interesting perspective and getting into the action, using a wider lens.

S22a: Best Story and Photo Package - By an individual

First Place

Barry University, The Barry Buccaneer, “Outreach to Haiti”, Liz Calvo

Good photos of Haitian people interacting with the volunteers on a previous trip. A well written article tells the history of the alternative break program and explains why it was cancelled this year. The students and the people they visited benefited from this effort. It is unfortunate the atmosphere has become so dangerous, and the article is an important step in giving the university an update on the situation.

S22b: Best Story and Photo Package - By two individuals or more

First Place

University of Dayton, Flyer News, “12:06 p.m.”, Zoe Hill, Tori Miller and Bridgett Dillenburger

From the headline to the last graph, this story kept the interest of the reader. This topic is well-researched, well written and timely. The author uses a wealth of sources and captures a broad view of the events and participants involved. It states a concern, where the concern stemmed from and how it was handled from beginning to end. Use of both personal and professional narratives makes this a wonderful example of good reporting on a timely and compelling story. The photography used alongside this text only serves to draw the reader further into the emotions and authenticity of the experience. Well done.

Second Place

DePaul University, 14 East, “An Escape from the Heteronormative: DePaul’s Queer Prom”, Grace Del Vecchio and Billie Rollason

This story showcases a timely and sensitive topic and has done so with great care and concern, particularly regarding dignity of the human person. There were wonderfully surprises throughout the article. One suggestion might be in the graph which said that there were “mixed message from Pope Francis” to source what those messages were and to reference a person who felt that way to hear it in their own words. A word of caution, there are a few places within the article that could be interpreted as the author’s view rather than an impartial storytelling. The photography perfectly complements and enhances the overall text. Nicely done.

S31: Best Collegiate Radio Show

First Place

Neumann University, “Living Black History” (WNUW), “Living Black History”, Hosts: Tyler Hauser, Jailah Johnson, Mike Marano and Christiani Joseph. Staff: Caleb Afolabi, John Altomare, Mike Cabrera, Ethan Graci and Jaron McNeil.

Excellent, excellent, excellent. This is a beautiful example of journalistic talent. The use of personal narrative to tell a compelling and timely story on a very pertinent topic is so well done here. The questions are well thought out and delivered by an interviewer who is clearly engaged in the subject matter and has entered into the story with the interviewee. The interviewer unveiled both depth and dispelled misconceptions all while remaining true to the topic. It is personal, authentic, and professional. Well done!

S32a: Best Video - Single episode

First Place

Spring Hill College, Spring Hill Now, “Resident Hall Mold Concerns”, Natalie Williamson

Impressive body of work on maybe not the most exciting topic, this video carefully and intentionally captured all the elements of solid reporting. Excellent use of graphic elements and video clips as well as personal experiences and professional sources. The reader easily understands the issue and what steps have or have not been taken to remedy it. Well done from beginning to end!

Second Place

Spring Hill College, Spring Hill Now, “Dating App Safety”, Summer Poole

Excellent coverage of a very opportune subject for young adults. Great use of personal and relatable personal narratives as well as bringing in authority on the topic. Would’ve liked a little more practical advice at the end. Overall, a very professional and well-balanced story!

Honorable Mention

University of San Diego, Hurricane Ian, “Hurricane Ian”, Megan Shannon

Right from the start, the video is captivating. Great graphic representation and B-roll, good facts and figures and heartfelt student connections. Very well done!

Honorable Mention

Spring Hill College, Spring Hill Now, “Spring Hill Now 11-17-22 newscast”, Carson Reeves, Producer, and Kira Babiarz, Director

This newscast encompasses excellent journalistic style, merging both feature and news style. It showcases a nice array of space and place around the campus which seriously enhances the viewer’s experience. The reporter showed great interest by engaging with the subject in the story. Those personal elements add to the professionalism of the piece. Nice work!

S32b: Best Video - Series

First Place

Spring Hill College, Spring Hill College Student Media, “Graffiti Response Coverage”, Natalie Williamson

Very timely and appropriate commentary. Excellent series following an ongoing investigation. High level of sources, including leadership of the institution, citing of school policies, and incorporating student experiences and voices into the story. Well-developed and well done!

S40: Best Publication

First Place

DePaul University, The DePaulia, The DePaulia, The DePaulia Staff

Each issue of The DePaulia was well designed and very well written. The newspaper is a strong example of what community journalism should be.

Second Place

University of San Diego, Episodes 2, 3, & 4, “Episodes 2, 3, & 4”, Gabrielle Grimm, Megan Shannon, Alexandra Karos, Lily Rand, Emily Leyva, Gabriela Sanchez, Andrew Corbo, Robert Mac Johnson, Jennifer Bustamante and Spencer Bispham

The videographers took advantage of the beautiful San Diego University campus as a backdrop for many of the interviews. The video and audio of the reports was recorded and edited very well. These 8-to-10-minute news reports shows are high quality.

Third Place

DePaul University, 14 East, “14 East”, Staff

DePaul University’s 14 East magazine is well written and illustrated. It’s long form articles tell the story of the story of the people and places in the surrounding Chicago community that is such a part of the life of the students.

Honorable Mention

Flyer News, Flyer News, “Flyer News Volume 71”, Zoe Hill, Bridgett Dillenburger, Tori Miller, Luke Osciak, Ren Sikes, Max Cross, Taylor Robertson, Terrance White, Keegan Gupta, Baylee Medvetz, Skylar Barlow and Nick Gregor

A solid news package with a mix of commentary makes the Flyer News an outstanding campus publication. Good photography and editing show the staff pays attention to every detail.