University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) alumna Serra Sowers, B.S. Journalism 2024, has received second place in the 2023-24 Hearst Journalism Awards National Multimedia Championship in San Francisco on June 6.

Sowers was honored for “Magic in the Mission” featuring the Free Farm Stand, an all-volunteer run project in the San Francisco Mission District that shares the wealth of urban farms and gardens. Sowers received a $7,500 prize.

“Over the course of her career at UFCJC, Serra has proven to be an outstanding journalist—and in so many different platforms and stories. The fact that she placed second in Hearst in Multimedia further shows what kind of storyteller she is—and the amazing future she has ahead of her,” said Ted Spiker, UFCJC Journalism professor and department chair.

The Hearst Championships are the culmination of the 2023 – 2024 Journalism Awards Program, which included 105 Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication member universities with accredited undergraduate journalism programs.

The 29 championship finalists were selected from 1,315 entries submitted in the 14 monthly competitions this academic year. From June 1 – 6, 2024, the finalists participated in the National Championship in San Francisco, where they demonstrated their writing, photography, audio, television, and multimedia skills in spot assignments.  The assignments were chosen by media professionals who judged the finalists’ work throughout the year and at the Championships.

In the Intercollegiate Competition, UFCJC was awarded second place overall for the fourth year in a row. To view the entire list of UFCJC 2023-24 Hearst Journalism Award winners, visit:
https://www.jou.ufl.edu/2024/03/04/ufcjc-students-honored-in-2023-2024-hearst-journalism-awards-competition/

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program was founded in 1960 to support, encourage and give assistance to journalism education through scholarships for outstanding college students.  Since its inception, the program has distributed more than $15 million in scholarships and grants for the exceptional work by student journalists who participate in the program.

The Multimedia judges were Red Element Studios Senior Creative Producer Meredith Hogan, Philadelphia Inquirer Managing Editor of Visuals Danese Kenon and Robert Scheer, The Post and Courier deputy managing editor for visuals.

Posted: June 10, 2024
Category: Alumni News, College News, Student News
Tagged as: 2023-24 Hearst Jounalism Awards National Mutlimedia Competition, 2023-24 Hearst Journalism Awards, Serra Sowers