This Saturday, we announced the winners of the 2021 regional Mark of Excellence contest for college journalists. There were great entries, which reflects well on the work these journalists were doing during a trying year for journalists.
The first-place winners will go on to the national MOE competition, and let’s wish them luck.
Here are the winners and the finalists.
| Category | Place | Region Number | Entrants | Media Outlet | School | Entry Title |
| Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Small) 1-9,999+ Students | Winner | 10 | Staff | The Gonzaga Bulletin | Gonzaga University | The Gonzaga Bulletin |
| Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students | Winner | 10 | Angela Palermo, Cody Roberts | The Argonaut | University of Idaho | Anti-mask protests in Moscow, Idaho |
| Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students | Finalist | 10 | Ash Shah, Andy Yamashita, Jake Goldstein-Street | The Daily of the University of Washington | University of Washington – Seattle | University investigation found basketball player Nahziah Carter sexually assaulted two students |
| General Column Writing | Winner | 10 | Alexander Prevost | The Gonzaga Bulletin | Gonzaga University | Alexander Prevost’s Opinion Pieces |
| General Column Writing | Finalist | 10 | Haley Daarstad | The Barometer | Oregon State University | The U.S. avoided war with Iran; Reduce waste; Remote education is saving lives |
| General Column Writing | Finalist | 10 | Mia Werner, Laura Heffernan, Jennifer Ng | The Beacon | University of Portland | Columns from the margins |
| Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Winner | 10 | Connor Gilbert | The Gonzaga Bulletin | Gonzaga University | Baseball: Entering the spring, Gonzaga is deep on and off paper |
| Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Finalist | 10 | Kyle Garcia | The Beacon | University of Portland | Chase Adams steps up as glue of the family as grandmother battles coronavirus |
| Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Finalist | 10 | William Seekamp | The Beacon | University of Portland | ‘I’m not going to sit back and do nothing’ |
| Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Winner | 10 | Gabi DiPaulo | The Beacon | University of Portland | Administrator goes public with concerns about racism and sexism within UP administration |
| Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Finalist | 10 | Carlos Fuentes | The Beacon | University of Portland | Over 200 Bon App workers lose their jobs at UP |
| Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Finalist | 10 | Connor Gilbert | The Gonzaga Bulletin | Gonzaga University | Gonzaga in Florence suspends academics and sends students home |
| General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Winner | 10 | Mila Yoch, Devan Iyomasa | The Gonzaga Bulletin | Gonzaga University | GU Black Student Union Zoom meeting bombed with verbal attacks |
| General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Finalist | 10 | Carlos Fuentes | The Beacon | University of Portland | COVID-19 testing available at UP, information not so much |
| General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Finalist | 10 | Mila Yoch | The Gonzaga Bulletin | Gonzaga University | Instagram account @zagsunmasked exposes GU students without masks |
| In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Winner | 10 | Loren Negron | The Daily Evergreen | Washington State University | Activists stand against Forest Service |
| In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Finalist | 10 | Brie Haro | The Beacon | University of Portland | Pilots on the front lines seeking change |
| In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Finalist | 10 | Melina Benjamin | The Gonzaga Bulletin | Gonzaga University | GU students with COVID-19 share their realities with the virus |
| Editorial Writing | Winner | 10 | Parker Seeberger, Kellie Tran, Anders Svenningsen | The Gonzaga Bulletin | Gonzaga University | The Gonzaga Bulletin – Editorial Writing |
| Editorial Writing | Finalist | 10 | Editorial Staff | Montana Kaimin | University of Montana School of Journalism | Missoulian’s endorsement fiasco; We can do better; A look at our source demographics |
| Editorial Writing | Finalist | 10 | Editorial Board | The Argonaut | University of Idaho | Three editorials by The Argonaut Editorial Board |
| Editorial Cartooning | Winner | 10 | Derek Snyder | The Barometer | Oregon State University | Student Proved |
| Editorial Cartooning | Finalist | 10 | Elijah Pasco | The Daily of the University of Washington | University of Washington – Seattle | Political chess; All Ears; The UW administration has a seat on Santa’s lap |
| Editorial Cartooning | Finalist | 10 | Tiffany Tablang | The Observer | Central Washington University | The Observer editorial cartoons |
| Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students | Winner | 10 | Anthony Edwards | The Daily of the University of Washington | University of Washington – Seattle | Welcome to the Lake show: After 21 years, Jimmy Lake is finally a head coach |
| Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students | Finalist | 10 | Andres De Los Santos | The Barometer | Oregon State University | Oregon State wrestlers Rateb, Olmos, Turner, continue to fight for Black Lives Matter in D.C. |
| Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students | Finalist | 10 | Rey Green | The Observer | Central Washington University | Student athlete forms social justice group |
| Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large) 10,000+ Students | Winner | 10 | Staff | The Observer | Central Washington University | The Observer |
| Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large) 10,000+ Students | Finalist | 10 | Brianna Finnegan, Staff | The Argonaut | University of Idaho | The University of Idaho Argonaut |
| Best All-Around Student Newspaper (Large) 10,000+ Students | Finalist | 10 | Staff | The Barometer | Oregon State University | The Daily Barometer |
| In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students | Winner | 10 | Dante Filpula Ankney | Montana Kaimin | University of Montana School of Journalism | Squashing the spike: The history behind the University’s infamous tradition |
| In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students | Finalist | 10 | Nate Sanford | The Western Front | Western Washington University | Behind the systems: WWU Newman Center forces LGBTQ+ employee to resign |
| In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students | Finalist | 10 | Adriana Gutierrez | The Barometer | Oregon State University | Students take action, push administration to overturn termination of two engineering instructors |
| Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Winner | 10 | Mia Werner | The Beacon | University of Portland | Chasing ice with the U.S. Coast Guard |
| Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Finalist | 10 | Molly Lowney | The Beacon | University of Portland | Going viral: UP students find fame and friendship on TikTok |
| Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Finalist | 10 | Hannah Neff | The Sentinel | North Idaho College | Who Done It? Mysterious Posters Appear in Boswell |
| Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students | Winner | 10 | Claire Shinner | Montana Kaimin | University of Montana School of Journalism | Out There: How Evelyn Wall became an anchor for inclusivity in the outdoors |
| Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students | Finalist | 10 | Alex Miller | Montana Kaimin | University of Montana School of Journalism | Risque Business: The naked truth of cam girls and boys working in the digital red light district |
| Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students | Finalist | 10 | Hannah Krieg | The Daily of the University of Washington | University of Washington – Seattle | The University of Whiteness |
| General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students | Winner | 10 | Angela Tam | The Barometer | Oregon State University | LocalBoyz writes down different name for customer despite clear disapproval |
| General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students | Finalist | 10 | Hannah Krieg | The Daily of the University of Washington | University of Washington – Seattle | UW professor Cliff Mass compares violent protesters to Nazis and he’s not sorry |
| General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students | Finalist | 10 | Maya Tizon | The Daily of the University of Washington | University of Washington – Seattle | President Cauce officially responds to BSU’s seven demands for campus equity |
| Radio In-Depth Reporting | Winner | 10 | Lena Beck, Aj Williams, Austin Amestoy, Clint Connors | KBGA | University of Montana | Carrying On-Arts and Leisure in a Pandemic |
| Best All-Around Radio Newscast | Winner | 10 | Austin Amestoy | KBGA | University of Montana | KBGA News at 5 |
| Radio Sports Reporting | Winner | 10 | Dante Filpula Ankney | KBGA | University of Montana | Covid Ski Season |
| Radio Sports Reporting | Finalist | 10 | Erica Staat | KBGA | University of Montana | Hunter Safety Online |
| Radio Feature | Winner | 10 | Victor Yvellez | PRX Exchange | University of Montana | Project Little Shell: Three Generations of Enrollment |
| Radio Feature | Finalist | 10 | Kylie Mohr | PRX Exchange | University of Montana | Project Little Shell: A Tribe Dispersed |
| Radio Feature | Finalist | 10 | Clint Connors | KBGA | University of Montana | Outdoor Opera |
| Radio News Reporting | Winner | 10 | Mary Auld | PRX Exchange | University of Montana | Project Little Shell: Questioning Blood Quantum |
| Radio News Reporting | Finalist | 10 | Austin Amestoy | KBGA | University of Montana | Montana Real Estate |
| Radio News Reporting | Finalist | 10 | Angela Palermo | KUOI FM | University of Idaho | Skyrocketing COVID-19 cases |
| Television General News Reporting | Winner | 10 | Jaurdyn Johnson | KPAX | University of Montana | Firefighter Climb |
| Data Visualization | Winner | 10 | Austin De Dios | The Beacon | University of Portland | Interactive Data Journalism by Austin De Dios |
| General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students | Winner | 10 | Sophie Crosby | The Gonzaga Bulletin | Gonzaga University | Dance Program Partnership |
| Breaking News Photography | Winner | 10 | Chiana McInelly | The Gonzaga Bulletin | Gonzaga University | Protests in Spokane |
| Breaking News Photography | Finalist | 10 | Nicholas Tucker, Mitchell Roland | The Observer | Central Washington University | Protesters continue to rally in Ellensburg, despite fears of violence |
| Feature Photography | Winner | 10 | Scott Schmidt | The Barometer | Oregon State University | Comet Neowise |
| Feature Photography | Finalist | 10 | Ryan Reynolds | The Beacon | University of Portland | Stop reading this and go outside (1st slideshow) |
| Feature Photography | Finalist | 10 | Duncan Mullen | The Planet | Western Washington University | Rainier’s Rare Wolverines |
| Photo Illustration | Winner | 10 | Ben Lathwell | The Gonzaga Bulletin | Gonzaga University | Flu Shot Clinic |
| Photo Illustration | Finalist | 10 | Brennan Crowder | The Beacon | University of Portland | Computers get Zoom fatigue too |
| Photo Illustration | Finalist | 10 | Sophie Crosby | The Gonzaga Bulletin | Gonzaga University | Art Department COVID-19 restrictions |
| General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students | Winner | 10 | Zack Jimenez | The Planet | Western Washington University | Climate Protester |
| General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students | Finalist | 10 | Sophie Crosby | The Gonzaga Bulletin | Gonzaga University | Dance Program Partnership |
| General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students | Finalist | 10 | Sara Diggins | Montana Kaimin | University of Montana | Election Point |
| Sports Photography | Winner | 10 | Sara Diggins | Montana Kaimin | University of Montana | Rebound Battle |
| Sports Photography | Finalist | 10 | Oliver McKenna | The Daily Evergreen | Washington State University | Cougs vs. Oregon |
| Sports Photography | Finalist | 10 | Sara Diggins | Montana Kaimin | University of Montana | Driving to the hoop |
| Online/Digital News Videography | Winner | 10 | Quinn Corcoran | Montana Kaimin | University of Montana | Where are the students? An Enrollment investigation |
| Best Independent Online Student Publication | Winner | 10 | Staff | Native News Honors Project | University of Montana School of Journalism | Trying to Teach, Trying to Learn: Science in Indian Country |
| Online/Digital Feature Videography | Winner | 10 | Jiakai Lou | Native News Honors Project | University of Montana | Meat for the Mind |
| Online/Digital Feature Videography | Finalist | 10 | Samantha Baxley | Klipsun Magazine | Western Washington University | Young and Green |
| Best Affiliated Web Site | Winner | 10 | Maddy Wilson, Joanna Santana, Zahn Schultz, Taylor Johnson | PULSE magazine | Central Washington University | PULSE magazine |
| Best Affiliated Web Site | Finalist | 10 | Staff | The Observer | Central Washington University | The Observer |
| Online News Reporting | Winner | 10 | Jax Kiel | Klipsun Magazine | Western Washington University | By Any Other Name |
| Online News Reporting | Finalist | 10 | Hannah Krieg | The Daily of the University of Washington | University of Washington – Seattle | This is what quarantine sounds like with 150 positive cases on Greek row |
| Online Opinion & Commentary | Winner | 10 | Opinion Team | The Daily of the University of Washington | University of Washington – Seattle | A history of BSU’s demands: Repeating our university’s oppressive past |
| Online Opinion & Commentary | Finalist | 10 | Hannah Krieg | The Daily of the University of Washington | University of Washington – Seattle | Thirst Trap |
| Online Feature Reporting | Winner | 10 | Sydney Akridge | Native News | University of Montana School of Journalism | Deep-Rooted Knowledge: Generations of traditional medicine |
| Online Feature Reporting | Finalist | 10 | John Elias Olson | Klipsun Magazine | Western Washington University | OK, Zoomer. |
| Online Feature Reporting | Finalist | 10 | Alex Moreno | Klipsun Magazine | Western Washington University | Life in the Viewfinder |
| Online In-Depth Reporting | Winner | 10 | Advanced Audio Students | PRX Exchange | University of Montana | Project Little Shell |
| Online In-Depth Reporting | Finalist | 10 | Alex Miller | Native News Honors Project | University of Montana School of Journalism | A Thousand Miles from Crow Country |
| Online In-Depth Reporting | Finalist | 10 | Maya Anderson | Klipsun Magazine | Western Washington University | Does Everyone Count? |
| Best Student Magazine | Winner | 10 | Maddy Wilson, Sara Roach, Kassandra Eller, Spencer Clifton | PULSE magazine | Central Washington University | PULSE magazine |
| Best Student Magazine | Finalist | 10 | Staff | Blot | University of Idaho | Blot magazine May 2020 |
| Best Student Magazine | Finalist | 10 | Staff | The Planet | Western Washington University | The Planet Magazine: “The Movement” Issue, Winter 2020 |
| Non-Fiction Magazine Article | Winner | 10 | Maya Anderson | Klipsun Magazine | Western Washington University | Can You See Me? |
| Non-Fiction Magazine Article | Finalist | 10 | Riley Haun | Blot magazine | University of Idaho | History Repeated |
| Non-Fiction Magazine Article | Finalist | 10 | Grace McCarthy, Faith Owens | The Planet | Western Washington University | Mr. Earth Day |
| COVID-19: Video Coverage | Winner | 10 | Quinn Corcoran | Native News Honors Project | University of Montana | Lost |
| COVID-19: Video Coverage | Finalist | 10 | Tessa Hoover | The Barometer | Oregon State University | Ramadan during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| COVID-19: Newspaper, Magazine and Online Coverage | Winner | 10 | Staff | Native News Honors Project | University of Montana School of Journalism | Special Report: Quarantine and Coronavirus in Montana’s Indian Country |
| COVID-19: Newspaper, Magazine and Online Coverage | Finalist | 10 | Emma Savage | The Planet | Western Washington University | Agricultural Workers Face COVID-19 |
| COVID-19: Newspaper, Magazine and Online Coverage | Finalist | 10 | Riley Haun | Blot magazine | University of Idaho | History Repeated |
| Best Use of Multimedia | Winner | 10 | Lauren Decker | Klipsun Magazine | Western Washington University | Not Just Your Vampire Weekend |
| Best Use of Multimedia | Finalist | 10 | Maddy Wilson, Zahn Schultz, Krista Kok, Helen Nguyen | PULSE magazine | Central Washington University | From Football Player to Father: One Student’s Journey to Success |
| Podcast | Winner | 10 | Molly Lowney, Jennifer Ng | The Beacon | University of Portland | What on Earth: Food for Thought (Episode 5) |
| Podcast | Finalist | 10 | Kase Allouzi | KBVR-FM | Oregon State University | Through the Multi Lens |
