Utah Statesman earns 33 awards in 2015-16

The Utah Statesman won 33 awards in three different journalism contests this year: Society of Professional Journalists Utah Headliners, Utah Press Association and Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence.

“I was flattered. It was fun to win those awards,” said Jeffrey Dahdah, who served as the managing editor of the Statesman at the time and received seven awards in the multiple contests. “It was really cool to see the Statesman as a whole win awards and get recognition.”

The Statesman won 17 awards at the Society of Professional Journalists Utah Headliners held in June. More than 860 entries from all platforms and media outlets were submitted to the Utah Headliners chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists contest, the society’s website states.

The staff of the Statesman received an honorable mention in online content for best news-oriented website. Staff also was awarded an honorable mention in newspaper for best newspaper.

The Statesman received 2nd place for “Where’s the beef?”, 3rd place for “Logan ink” and an honorable mention for “Not horsing around” in feature page design.

The Statesman also received 1st place for “Censored” and 3rd place for “All dogs go to heaven in front page design.”

Judges said the “Censored” front page design had “a great graphic, the beginning of three stories, giving readers an idea of what’s inside.”

Dahdah received three awards in different categories, including 1st place for best newspaper reporter in Division B newspapers.

In graphics, he received an honorable mention for best single-page design, “Village of USU. “

In newspaper, Dahdah received 3rd place for spot news, “Fraternity member accused with sexual misconduct.” Also in newspaper, he received 3rd place for opinion column, “Enough.”

Brenna Kelly received 1st place for spot news in newspaper, “Big Blue impersonator allegedly scams community members.”

Judges said each of the seven entries had merit, “but the ‘Big Blue’ story was far and away the best of the group. Good story-telling (sic). Good reporting. Good writing. It was easy to read and well done.”

Melanie Fenstermaker received 2nd place for general feature in newspaper, “Cash and gown.”

Amy Reid was awarded 3rd place for general news in newspaper, “Lost trust.”

Mariah Noble received 1st place for series in newspaper, “College suicide an issue of concern.”

Logan Jones received 3rd place for sports column in newspaper, “My DTR with BYU football.”

Kalen Taylor received 3rd place for sports non-deadline reporting in newspaper, “The great one.” Judges said the “extremely good work from all entrants” made it difficult to judge the top four.

The Statesman won seven awards at the Utah Press Association contest held in March. As Utah’s oldest trade association, Utah Press Association annually recognizes newspapers and publishers around the state.

Jeffrey Dahdah received 2nd place for best feature story, “Adderall Season,” and 3rd place for best breaking news story, “Fraternity member accused of sexual misconduct.”

Mandy Morgan Ditto received first place for best general news story, “All dogs go to heaven.”

Mark Bell was awarded 2nd place for best news photograph, “Spring Cleaning.”

Kyle Todecheene received 2nd place for best sports photograph, “Touchdown Aggies.”

Mariah Noble received 3rd place for best news series, “College suicide an issue of concern.”

The staff also won 1st place for best front page.

The Statesman won nine awards at the Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards held in April. Utah competes in the Region 9 division along with Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming.

Ryan Costanzo won general news photography, “All dogs go to heaven.”

Kyle Todecheene won sports photography, “Touchdown Aggies,” and Kylee Larsen was a finalist, “Home Safe.”

Brenna Kelly won breaking news reporting, “Big Blue impersonator allegedly scams community members.”

Jeffrey Dahdah was a finalist in feature writing, “Adderall season.”

Mariah Noble was a finalist in in-depth reporting, “College suicide an issue of concern.”

Logan Jones won sports writing, “All eyes on Keeton,” and was a finalist in general column writing and in-depth reporting, though the headlines weren’t mentioned on the association’s website.

—ashley.ruth.stilson@usu.edu