Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: St. Edward's University Entry Title: International students Entry Credit: Anna Pratts, Gabrielle Caumon Judge Comment: The many interviews the reporters used were the highlight of the story package. The use of translation was also a nice touch, as a way to let each student speak in their own language. The follow-up stories highlighting the solutions St. Ed's has already put in place, and plans to accomodate in the future, also featured more in-depth reporting and human voices.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: A&M-San Antonio - The Mesquite Entry Title: ‘It all happened so fast’: Dreamer enrollment drops after Texas Dream Act repeal Entry Credit: Trinity Hewtty Judge Comment: A deeply-reported peice that treats its subjects with sensitivity and shines a light on an issue many students are going through right now, with more information on ways to help other students.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Dallas College - North Lake Entry Title: Educators on AI Entry Credit: Monica Gill, Tiying Li Judge Comment: This package examining how students, faculty and educators are responding to our current AI moment is a great "first draft of history" story.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Mary Hardin-Baylor Entry Title: Interstate 14 Project to Demolish Local Church Entry Credit: Emily Jenkins Judge Comment: By focusing on the members of a local church, this story does an excellent job of showcasing what is lost when TxDOT comes to town, and highlights one of the central Texan gripes: I-35 traffic.
