Student Journalists and Photographers Win 15 Awards

University of La Verne journalism students and graduates earned 15 awards from the Society of Professional Journalists Region 11 for articles and photographs published in 2019.

Thirteen awards went to students for work published in the university newspaper, Campus Times. La Verne Magazine earned two awards.

The annual Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence awards were announced March 24. First place winners will now advance to the national competition.

College news organizations from Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, and Nevada participated in the competition.

First place honors went to students in the following categories:

• Breaking news – Danielle DeLuna, Layla Abbas, Jocelyn Arceo, and Aryn Plax, for “FBI LVPD investigate hate crimes,” Campus Times
• Sports writing – Joey Matsuzawa for “Bill would let college athletes profit,” Campus Times
• Editorial writing – The Campus Times Editorial Board
• Editorial cartooning – Danielle De Luna, Campus Times
• Breaking news photography – Ariel Torres for “Vigil honors grief and healing after hate crimes,” Campus Times
• Feature photography – Jaren Cyrus for “Chicken Charlie,” La Verne Magazine
• Sports photography – Veronyca Norcia for “Ortega leads Leos in SCIAC victory,” Campus Times

The following students were finalists:

• Breaking news – Layla Abbas for “Law school to downgrade to California Bar accreditation,” Campus Times
• General news reporting – Jocelyn Arceo for “Student back after charges dropped,” Campus Times
• Sports writing – Rex Sample for “Student athletes fight back against burnout,” Campus Times
• General column writing – Jocelyn Arceo, Campus Times
• Feature photography – Ashley Villavicencio, for “Fashioning a fabulous quinceanera,” Campus Times, and Molly Garry for “Bring the storm,” Campus Times
• General news photography – Molly Garry for “Cultural Graduation,” Campus Times
• Best student magazine – La Verne Magazine, Winter 2019

The Society of Professional Journalists is one of the oldest and largest journalism organizations. It consists of about 300 chapters across the nation and more than 9,000 members of the media. In addition to honoring journalism excellence, the organization promotes and defends freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and supports diversity, ethical behavior, and high standards in professional and student journalism.