The Cronkite School captured three awards — including two first place prizes — at the 64th annual SoCal Journalism Awards hosted by the Los Angeles Press Club at the Grand Ballroom, Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City.
David Rodish won first place for Best News Writing, Off-Campus issues for “‘Be bold. Be courageous’: Gabby Giffords opens Gun Violence Memorial in LA.” The story covers a gun violence memorial in Los Angeles opened by Giffords, the former Arizona congresswoman who was severely injured during a mass shooting in 2011 during a constituent event in Tucson.
Rodish also received the top honor for Best Sports Writing, Print/Online – Student Media for “‘They just want to play:’ The history of girls in the Little League World Series.” Rodish spoke with Victoria Brucker, who made her debut as the first American girl to play in the Little League World Series in 1989. The story further documents the gender gap and absence of girls in the event.
“Cronkite does have a ton of really good journalists. So at times, it can be kind of stressful to be here just because you’re surrounded by such good journalism students and so many talented people, but it’s definitely good validation to kind of be like, I’m also here and I’m also able to do that stuff and I belong,” Rodish said.
Cronkite student Amanda Day placed third for Best Personality Profile for “First LGBTQ+ mariachi group is paving the way for the next generation,” a story she compiled with student Itzia Crespo. The story profiles Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Ángeles, which claims to be the world’s first LGBTQ+ mariachi group.
Cronkite student Jude Binkley was named a finalist in the category Best Feature Writing, Off Campus Coverage for his story, “Joshua trees are first plant to get California protections because of climate change.”
“These awards are another example of Cronkite students producing excellent journalism and making an impact in one of the largest media markets in the world. We’d like to thank the LA Press Club for recognizing the amazing work of our student journalists,” said Cronkite School Dean Dr. Battinto L. Batts Jr.
Cronkite winners and nominees in their categories:
Best News Writing, Off Campus Issues – Print or Online
“‘Be bold. Be courageous’: Gabby Giffords opens Gun Violence Memorial in LA”
Winner, David Rodish, Cronkite News
Best Sports Writing – Print or Online
“’They ‘just want to play:’ The history of girls in the Little League World Series”
Winner, David Rodish, Cronkite News
Best Personality Profile, Off Campus Personalities – Any Platform
“First LGBTQ+ mariachi group is paving the way for the next generation”
Third place, Amanda Day, Cronkite News
Best Feature Writing, Off Campus
“Joshua trees are first plant to get California protections because of climate change”
Finalist, Jude Binkley, Cronkite News