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The Marlin Chronicle Wins 19 National Journalist Awards in the Annual SCJ Contest
Recognized among the best in college media, the student-run enterprise comprises nearly 30 students
University News | April 26, 2023
The Marlin Chronicle, VWU’s student newspaper, earned 19 awards from the Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ) 2023 National Contest. The Chronicle submits stories, pages, editorials and graphics for various categories each academic year. The SCJ announced members of the Chronicle won first place in the feature page, news stories, editorial cartoon and infographics categories.
Senior and Sports Co-Editor Shirell Washington won first place in the infographics category for her “Scoreboard” and “Schedule” graphics. She also received third place in the sports page, photo essay and sport feature categories.
Sophomore and Sports Co-Editor Colette Kearney won second place in the sports page category and an honorable mention in the first amendment and sport news categories. Washington and Kearney both earned an honorable mention for their column about NFL head injuries.
Sophomore and Community Co-Editor Carey Seay won first, third and an honorable mention in the feature page category.
Former News Editor Katie Yeager ‘22 won first place in the news story category for her article about the tragic events that occurred on college campuses last spring, including the shootings at Virginia Tech and Bridgewater College as well as the suicide at James Madison University.
Junior and Managing Editor Rhian Tramontana won third place in the news page category and an honorable mention in the news stories and continuing coverage categories.
Junior and Weekender Co-Editor Sasha Saxon earned an honorable mention for her photo essay highlighting Latitude Climbing.
Former Illustrations Editor Emily Uzzle ‘22 won second place in the editorial cartoon category with the VWU campus adaptation she designed for the summer issue cover last year.
Former Illustrator Kat Vanden Berg ‘22 won first and third place in the editorial cartoon category. Vanden Berg’s editorial cartoons accompanied the articles titled “COVID policies are a work in progress” and “Students voice mental health concerns.”
“I am very proud of the Marlin Chronicle team and its achievements this year,” Editor-in-Chief Connor Merk said. “This media enterprise comprised of nearly 30 students is extremely talented and provides an excellent voice for our campus community.”
“These awards underscore many facets to a college media enterprise beyond news writing and reporting,” Dr. Lisa Lyon Payne, professor of communication and adviser to the Marlin Chronicle said. “The Marlin Chronicle is recognized here as among the best in college media for feature writing, illustrations, photography and graphic design.”
“This national recognition affirms the quality of our editorially independent, student-run media enterprise as among the best in the nation,” Payne said.
The Marlin Chronicle is a student-led publication that publishes five issues a semester and has served the campus since 1982. View its and . The Society for Collegiate Journalists is the nation’s oldest honor society for student media leaders and has approximately 100 active chapters nationwide and 1,200 members.
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