Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: A&M-Kingsville Entry Title: Suspected shooter raises emergency alert questions Entry Credit: Ronni Reyna Judge Comment: Really great accountability journalism. This story asks great questions about how officials responded during a scary incident on campus. Powerful comments from a student. The only thing that might have improved this story would be an interview with a security expert (perhaps for a state university system, or a national higher ed group) to comment on whether the university's decision not to send the alert violates widely accepted standards.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Brookhaven College Entry Title: Bits and Bites Entry Credit: Brandon Donner Judge Comment: A really great story about an event! The lede draws me in, the details make me hungry and the writing is clear. Nice mix of interviews from chefs and attendees. I didn't love the first quote — maybe that info could have been paraphrased? — but it's a solid effort.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: A&M-Kingsville Entry Title: We march, we scream, we fight Entry Credit: Rae Martinez Judge Comment: Solid event coverage. Compelling lede, good use of quotes and clear writing.
Competition Comment: Nice job, everyone. The best stories included context, clear writing, a compelling lede and multiple voices (ideally, students' voices).
