{"id":27467,"date":"2025-08-21T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/?p=27467"},"modified":"2025-08-21T11:07:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T16:07:11","slug":"2025-story-of-the-year-finalists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/2025\/08\/21\/2025-story-of-the-year-finalists\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Story of the Year finalists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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August 26, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 The Associated Collegiate Press announces finalists in its 2025 Story of the Year competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The winners will be announced at the ACP Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 18, at MediaFest25<\/a>, the Fall National College Media Convention, in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the winners are announced on Oct. 18, a gallery of the winners and honorable mentions will be shared on this website allowing student journalists and advisers to see all of the entries recognized in the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations to the finalists in the following Story of the Year contests \u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Breaking News Story<\/a>
In-Depth News Story<\/a>
Feature Story<\/a>
Sports Game Story<\/a>
Sports Feature Story<\/a>
Editorial<\/a>
Column<\/a>
Diversity Equity & Inclusion Reporting
<\/a>Local Climate Change Reporting
<\/a>Ernie Pyle Human-Interest Profile<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Please join us at MediaFest in Washington, D.C., Oct. 15 – 18. Register online<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This convention provides a unique opportunity to network with industry professionals, learn from seasoned journalists, and gain valuable insights into the ever-evolving world of media and journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Individual Award finalists<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Story of the Year<\/a>
Reporter of the Year<\/a>
Multimedia Story of the Year<\/a>
Design of the Year<\/a>
Photo of the Year<\/a>
Cartoon of the Year<\/a>
Broadcast Story of the Year<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
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Breaking News Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sam Freeman, Lauren Sheperd
<\/strong>14 East, DePaul University (IL)
Trump Administration Terminates Depaul Student\u2019s Legal Status<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dom Fenoglio, Ranjan Jindal, Sophie Levenson, Abby Spiller
<\/strong>The Chronicle, Duke University (NC)
Crystal Mangum Admits to Fabricating 2006 Duke Lacrosse Scandal Accusations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kate Myers
<\/strong>The Reflector, Mississippi State University
S.P.A.R.K.’s Future Remains Uncertain with MSU’s New DEI Policies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ethan Bakogiannis, Kate Denning
<\/strong>Technician, North Carolina State University
Popular NC State Professor Marshall Brain Dies, Alleges Retaliation for Ethics Complaints<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacob Whitney
<\/strong>The Occidental, Occidental College (CA)
Oxy SJP Protest and Confrontation with Security at Stritikus\u2019s Inauguration<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dylan Hembrough
<\/strong>The Alestle, Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville Admin Proposes Eliminating Physics Department as Threat of Layoffs Looms<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fousia Abdullahi, Lauren Harper, Alex Hoben
<\/strong>The Collegian, Tarrant County College (TX)
Children’s Center Shut Down After 50 Years<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blake Leschber
<\/strong>The University Star, Texas State University-San Marcos
San Marcos High School Cleared After False Threat<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alexandra Crosnoe
<\/strong>Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Trump Administration Revokes Visas of Multiple UCLA, UC Students<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clarissa Dean
<\/strong>Talisman, Western Kentucky University
\u201cWe Were Not Prepared:\u201d Bowling Green Faces Historic Flooding<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In-Depth News Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mia Abraham, Luis Caro, Sarah Hendry, LiLi Jarvenpa
<\/strong>The DePaulia, DePaul University (IL)
Chicago\u2019s \u2018One System Initiative\u2019: Bold Reform or a Band-Aid Solution for Unhoused Communities?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lauren Theisen
<\/strong>Urban Plains, Drake University (IA)
Empty Plates and Empty Promises<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nikki Yunker
<\/strong>The Union, El Camino College (CA)
Basic Needs Centers See Record Increase in Demand<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan Kupperman
<\/strong>The Pendulum, Elon University (NC)
Detaining Futures<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theo Scheer, Alex Walters
<\/strong>The State News, Michigan State University
After Shooting, MSU Promised Safety. It Delivered Surveillance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cole Reynolds, Jerry Wu
<\/strong>Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University (IL)
Students and Staff Report Some Dining Workers for Harassment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacob Ritondo
<\/strong>The Crimson White, University of Alabama
Alabama Student\u2019s Death by Suicide Reflects Problems with Veterans Mental Health Treatment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruby Duncan
<\/strong>Daily Emerald, University of Oregon
The School of Music and Dance\u2019s Half Million Dollar Question<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cameron Shaw
<\/strong>College Heights Herald, Western Kentucky University
What Happened to Hilltopper Hall?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Josh Maritz
<\/strong>The Planet, Western Washington University
Oh, Deer: Chronic Wasting Disease<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feature Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kennedy Sessions
<\/strong>NYCity News Service, City University of New York
Here\u2019s How New Yorkers Are Fighting to Keep Community Gardens in Eastern Brooklyn<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grace Logan
<\/strong>The DePaulia, DePaul University (IL)
Chicago\u2019s Iraqi Novelist: The Life and Legacy of Mahmoud Saeed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alex Nettles
<\/strong>The Pendulum, Elon University (NC)
Hurricane Helene Relief Through the Lens of a Black Hawk Mission<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elli Einset
<\/strong>The Huntington News, Northeastern University (MA)
Less Than Half of Northeastern Bathrooms Were Fully Stocked with Menstrual Products<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dylan Hembrough, Chloe Wolfe
<\/strong>The Alestle, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
One Decade Later: How Ferguson Boosted the Black Lives Matter Movement<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia Jones
<\/strong>The Daily Orange, Syracuse University (NY)
Su Alums Reminisce On Jabberwocky After Kimmel Demolition<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Layth Handoush
<\/strong>Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Are Mushrooms Magic?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emily Nyberg
<\/strong>The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Death Doulas Show End-Of-Life Care Through a Different Lens<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carlie Weigel
<\/strong>Flux, University of Oregon
Returning to Nature<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christine Vo
<\/strong>The Shorthorn, University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington\u2019s Only Gay Bar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sports Game Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Grace Heim
<\/strong>The Auburn Plainsman, Auburn University (AL)
Broome’s Big Night Sends Auburn Dancing to San Antonio<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ranjan Jindal
<\/strong>The Chronicle, Duke University (NC)
Duke Men’s Basketball Defeats Louisville 73-62 to Win ACC Championship<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayde Sheaffer
<\/strong>The Daily Iowan, Iowa State University
In-State Rival Stuns No. 8 Iowa State in Road Trip Gone Awry<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eli Kronenberg, Audrey Pachuta
<\/strong>Daily Northwestern, Northwestern University (IL)
Northwestern Embraces Us Vs. Them Mentality in Big Ten Tournament<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ian Curtis, Chris Swann
<\/strong>The Battalion, Texas A&M University
Taylor-Made History: A&M Takes Down No. 1 Auburn<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ty Kaplan
<\/strong>The Daily Toreador, Texas Tech University
Tech Softball Hoists Big 12 Trophy Year One<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connor Dullinger
<\/strong>Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
UCLA Men’s Basketball Flatlined in Season-Ending Loss to Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Valeri Guevarra, Kristel Rambaud
<\/strong>The Daily Pennsylvanian, University of Pennsylvania
Rising Senior Matt Fallon Qualifies for Paris Olympics in 200-Meter Breaststroke<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brendan Dougherty
<\/strong>The Daily Gamecock, University of South Carolina
South Carolina Women’s Basketball Taken Down by UConn in National Championship<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacob Unruh
<\/strong>The Sunflower, Wichita State University (KS)
How Wichita State Women’s Bowling Pulled Off Improbable Comeback<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sports Feature Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jackson Posey
<\/strong>The Baylor Lariat, Baylor University (TX)
Tennis Star Cristina Tiglea Brings Experience to Baylor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dylan Allen, Charlie Wiltsee
<\/strong>Mustang News, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly Swim and Dive Athletes Battle for Reinstatement After Team Cut<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sophie Levenson
<\/strong>The Chronicle, Duke University (NC)
John Feinstein Died a Sportswriting Legend<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abby DiSalvo, Rachael Kaplan
<\/strong>The Chronicle, Duke University (NC)
Cameron Crazies: The Origin Stories of Basketball’s Favorite Villains<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ameen Raissi
<\/strong>The John Hopkins News-Letter, Johns Hopkins University (MD)
The Trailblazing Journey of Dr. Robin West: Breaking Barriers in Sports Medicine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julio Rodriguez
<\/strong>The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College (CA)
From Bowler to Bowl Games<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cooper Andrews
<\/strong>The Daily Orange, Syracuse University (NY)
Haudenosaunee Push for IOC Special Approval to Compete in Lacrosse at 2028 Olympics<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ian Curtis
<\/strong>Maroon Life, Texas A&M University
Making Maichon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ira Gorawara
<\/strong>Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Mateen Bhaghani Blends Pride, Purpose to Inspire Young South Asian Athletes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Valeri Guevarra, Sean McKeown
<\/strong>The Daily Pennsylvanian, University of Pennsylvania
How three former Penn swimmers came together to sue the University<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Board
<\/strong>The Appalachian, Appalachian State University (NC)
History Cannot Be Forgotten<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maya DeHoyos
<\/strong>The Orion, California State University, Chico
Cuts for Education, Cash for Administration<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Megan Gauer, Chris Hutton, Ellie Marty, Sean Shanks
<\/strong>The Orion, California State University, Chico
Entitled and Demanding<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nikki Yunker
<\/strong>The Union, El Camino College (CA)
Don\u2019t Destroy the Campus<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Board
<\/strong>Washington Square News, New York University
Nyu\u2019s Disciplinary Measures Against Students Are Reckless and Reactive<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alexa Lima
<\/strong>The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College (CA)
Clawing Back Hard Earned Speech Rights<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Board
<\/strong>The Battalion, Texas A&M University
Drag Is Free Speech Too<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cecile Diroll
<\/strong>The Highlander, University of California, Riverside
UC, It\u2019s Time To Stand Up and Protect Your Students, Faculty and Staff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Board
<\/strong>The Michigan Daily, University of Michigan
Three Questions for Our Future<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Board
<\/strong>The Michigan Daily, University of Michigan
In The Face of DEI Cuts, Campus Must Mobilize<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Column<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Masha Smahliuk
<\/strong>Central Michigan Life, Central Michigan University
Ukrainian Fight for Democracy Continues, and You Have Power in It<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olivia Fitts
<\/strong>The Express, Las Positas College (CA)
Liv On The Edge: Our COVID Brains<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lila Sepici
<\/strong>Los Angeles Loyolan, Loyola University (CA)
We Need to Save Student Media \u2014 And We Need to Do It Now<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mehr Kotval
<\/strong>Washington Square News, New York University
NYU\u2019s New Code of Conduct Redefines Political Opposition as Discrimination<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zeke Watson
<\/strong>The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College (CA)
I Stand to Honor My Military Family<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joshua Abraham
<\/strong>The Battalion, Texas A&M University
Portrait of a Tradition on Fire<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ella Seaton
<\/strong>The Crimson White, University of Alabama
Less Is More: The Case for Knowing Less About the People Around Us<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JC Vaught
<\/strong>The Daily Gamecock, University of South Carolina
Assembly Street Is a Danger to Pedestrians<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ariana Wolf
<\/strong>The Shorthorn, University of Texas at Arlington
UTA\u2019s Use of AI Imagery Is Not a Good Look<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maria Vazquez
<\/strong>The Daily Texan, University of Texas at Austin
When Silence Becomes Complicity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Reporting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hayden Hill
<\/strong>Ponder, Black Hills State University (SD)
Behind the Curtains<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Casey Tharrington
<\/strong>The DePaulia, DePaul University (IL)
Israeli and Palestinian Speakers Call for Dialogue Over Division<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avery Sloan
<\/strong>The Pendulum, Elon University (NC)
\u201cI\u2019m Not Hiding Out\u201d: Transitioning Late in Life<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lilly Molina
<\/strong>The Pendulum, Elon University (NC)
Samuel Merritt\u2019s Story as a Descendant of a Lynching Victim<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris Aukes, Jacob Rice <\/strong>
Iowa State Daily, Iowa State University
<\/strong>Humans of Iowa State: Odalys Garcia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sheelagh Doe, Haley Meberg
<\/strong>The Ithacan, Ithaca College (NY)
Rust Cup Encourages Queer Skaters to Lace Up for Competition<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alexa Lima, Yanelli Zavina Robles
<\/strong>The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College (CA)
Return of the People<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Annika Holmberg, Meredith Taylor
<\/strong>The NewsHouse, Syracuse University (NY)
Poisoned at Home<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gabrielle Gunter
<\/strong>Alice, University of Alabama
Caring About Carabiners<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rihanna Pointer
<\/strong>Ninteen Fifty-Six, University of Alabama
Misogynoir<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local Climate Change Reporting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Winslette Quiray-Santiago
<\/strong>Ke Alaka’i, Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Restoring Coral Reefs and Lowland Forests<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olivia Pavao
<\/strong>The Collegian, California State University, Fresno
Wildfires Consume Southern California<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pamela Appea
<\/strong>NYCity News Service, City University of New York
Uncertainty Over Presidential Election Worries Climate-Impacted Immigrants<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jana Simovic
<\/strong>14 East, DePaul University (IL)
Belgrade\u2019s Fog, Chicago\u2019s Smog<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olivia Warren
<\/strong>The Tulane Hullabaloo, Tulane University (LA)
Christianity and Climate Change: Dueling Forces in Louisiana<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rosemary Mulvey
<\/strong>The Tulane Hullabaloo, Tulane University (LA)
$37 Million in Grant Funding Will Rehabilitate Louisiana Coastline<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ana Haapala
<\/strong>Daily Emerald, University of Oregon
The Power of a Signature<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ceci Cronin
<\/strong>Daily Emerald, University of Oregon
Wildfire Smoke Threatens Eugene\u2019s Most Vulnerable<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lily Reese
<\/strong>Daily Emerald, University of Oregon
Sensitivity and Climate Disaster Conversations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caleb Crain
<\/strong>34th Street Magazine, University of Pennsylvania
Inventing a Sustainable Future<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ernie Pyle Human Interest Profile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ella Howell
<\/strong>The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University (IN)
After Over Three Years on the Transplant List, Ball State Student Shares His Story<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hayden Hill
<\/strong>Ponder, Black Hills State University (SD)
Behind the Curtains<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nathan Feller
<\/strong>Ponder, Black Hills State University (SD)
Till the Wheels Fall Off<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Erica Lee
<\/strong>Warrior Life, El Camino College (CA)
Baking Bonds and Community<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avery Sloan
<\/strong>The Pendulum, Elon University (NC)
\u201cI\u2019m Not Hiding Out\u201d: Transitioning Late in Life<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olivia Fitts
<\/strong>The Express, Las Positas College (CA)
The Mobley Twins: A Brotherhood in Basketball<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natalie Staggers
<\/strong>The Reflector, Mississippi State University
How a Childhood Dream of Opening a Record Store Was Fulfilled in Retirement<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alfonso Juli\u00e1n Camacho
<\/strong>The Southwestern College Sun, Southwestern College (CA)
Dreaming of an Orange Christmas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ian Curtis
<\/strong>The Battalion, Texas A&M University
\u201cOur Job Is to Love People\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sofie Lara
<\/strong>Daily Emerald, University of Oregon
Thirty Years of a Cuban Man\u2019s Quiet Revolution<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

August 26, 2025 MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 The Associated Collegiate Press announces finalists in its 2025 Story of the Year competition. The winners will be announced at the ACP Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 18, at MediaFest25, the Fall National College Media Convention, in Washington, D.C. After the winners are announced on Oct. 18, a gallery of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27467"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27467"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27467\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27622,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27467\/revisions\/27622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27467"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27467"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27467"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}