University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) student journalists were honored in the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists (FABJ) college competition for content produced in 2023. The awards honor outstanding work from college-level broadcast journalists in the Sunshine State.

Twelve of the 20 awards given were for first place.

In the College Radio competition, the winners are:

• News Anchor: First Place, Jacob Sedesse, “Jacob Sedesse”
• Feature – Hard News: First Place, Ailee Shanes, “UF IDF Reservists Deploy to Israel
• Newscast: First Place, Jacob Sedesse, ”The Point: Paging President Sasse”
• Newscast: Honorable Mention, Serra Sowers, “WUFT The Point – What Makes a Monument”
• Political Reporting: First Place, Siena Duncan. “Transgender Floridians Weather the Political Storm Around Their Rights”
• Feature – Cultural/Historical: Honorable Mention, Siena Duncan, “Gainesville Abortion Clinic History”

In the College Television competition, the winners are:

• Breaking News: First place, Chris Will, ”Hurricane Idalia Preps”
• Breaking News: Honorable Mention, Jacob Sedesse, “GFR Investigates Fire”
• General Assignment: First Place, Kennedy Mason, “Apartment Complex Delays Move In”
• Health Reporting: First Place, Ophelie Jacobson, B.S. Journalism 2023, “Purple for Mackenzie”
• Investigative: First Place, Chris Will, “Inside ICAC”
• Feature – Cultural/Historical: Honorable Mention, Camila Pereira, “Heritage Home Saved”
• News Anchor: Honorable Mention, ”Jacob Sedesse”
• Newscast: First Place, WUFT Staff, “WUFT News First at Five”
• Producer: First Place, Mariana Larsen, “WUFT News First at Five 11/06/2023”
• Producer: Honorable Mention, Jacob Sedesse, “Jacob Sedesse”
• Reporter: First Place” Chris Will, “Chris Will Reporter Reel”
• Reporter: Honorable Mention, Kennedy Mason “Kennedy Mason Reporter Content”
• Sportscaster: First Place, Chris Will, “Chris Will Sports Reel”
• Sports Reporting: Honorable Mention, Chris Will, “UF Turf Team”

This is the fifth annual competition for FABJ, formerly known as Florida Associated Press Broadcasters. The college competition included more than 115 entries from more than 14 Florida-based college and university broadcasting programs.

During the event, Journalism senior Mariana Larsen was awarded a $1,000 FABJ Scholarship. The scholarships are designed to support the next generation of broadcast journalists by fostering skill-building opportunities.

The awards were presented to the winners and finalists at the FABJ Gala on April 20 at the Rosen Centre Resort in Orlando.

Posted: April 22, 2024
Category: Alumni News, College News, Student News
Tagged as: FABJ, FABJ Scholarship, Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists 2023 Awards Competition