FlaLaw article makes its way to nationals

wsmitty@ufl.edu — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:16:52 +0000

The October FlaLaw article “Running Through Life” is running away with a top prize. The profile on Sara Phillips, a visiting third-year law student from Michigan State University College of Law written by fourth-year public relations student and FlaLaw writer Jared Misner, took first place in the online feature reporting category March 24 at the Society of Professional Journalists Region Three convention. Region three includes Florida, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. With its first-place finish in the online feature reporting category, the FlaLaw story will advance to the national round of judging in late April to compete against the 11 other regions with possibility of claiming the national prize. “It’s a story of inspiration, of hope and of unimaginable bravery,” Misner said of his article. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill took the 2010 first-place national prize in the online feature reporting category for its “Now What, Argentina?” feature on Argentina’s economic collapse. Including Misner’s Oct. 31FlaLaw article, the University of Florida walked away with eight first-place Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence awards March 24. To read Misner’s award-winning story, click here.

FlaLaw story featuring 3L wins SPJ regional award

wsmitty@ufl.edu — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:43:56 +0000

Sara Phillips (3L) shows what she can do with her prosthetic running leg at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park late October. She ran her first race with the leg Oct. 8 in the GreenLaw annual Eco-Run 5K. (Photo by Melissa Montilla)

A story featuring a University of Florida Levin College of Law student is now award-winning. UF journalism student Jared Misner won the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Region Three Mark of Excellence Award for “Running through life.”

“Running through life” tells the story of Sara Phillips (3L) and her struggles after losing a leg. It was printed in FlaLaw Online in October 2011.

“She is an inspiration,” Misner said of Phillips. He worked with Phillips over the course of a few days to compose the article, even following Phillips to the GreenLaw annual Eco-Run 5K.

Misner submitted the story to the annual competition because of its subject matter and inspirational qualities.

“The article spoke most to me,” said Misner about choosing Phillips’ story over other articles he wrote throughout 2011.

The Mark of Excellence Award is given by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) to recognize the best student journalism in the country. Awards are given in various categories, from sports photography to radio news reporting.

“Obviously, (I am) very humbled to be recognized for the work that I do,” Misner said. Last year, SPJ awarded Misner regional first place for editorial writing.

This year, winners from the region will receive their awards during the Mark of Excellence Luncheon held in Gainesville on March 23. The first-place winners will go on to compete nationally.

Although Misner will not be attending the luncheon, he said the award and recognition is just a small part of the journalism package.

“Having the ability to tell stories for a living is an honor,” said Misner.

Click here to read the story.

FlaLaw » Society of Professional Journalists Region Three Mark of Excellence award

FlaLaw article makes its way to nationals

FlaLaw story featuring 3L wins SPJ regional award