Top photo: (l to r) CIC Dean Tom Reichert, instructor Renée Ittner-McManus, Calleen Soper, Bridget Bruchalski, Chloe Castain, Courtney Hollmon, Matt Frank, Jack Bradshaw and senior instructor Laura Smith.
Students from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications earned top honors at the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas (RTDNAC) awards ceremony on Nov. 8, held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The annual competition recognizes excellence in broadcast and digital journalism across North and South Carolina, highlighting the work of both professionals and aspiring student journalists.
SJMC students brought home seven of the first-place awards in the 11 television categories, along with four second-place finishes — even sweeping the awards in several categories. The winning work was produced and aired in either the school's intermediate reporting class or the Carolina News and Reporter capstone course.
Senior instructor Laura Smith who attended the ceremony said the strong showing underscores the school’s commitment to journalistic excellence as some of the winners are now gainfully employed in the news industry. "I’m so proud of the work they did and the guidance they received from faculty who helped develop these exceptional storytellers."
This year's winners are:
Haney Howell Student Journalist of the Year
Bridget Bruchalski (broadcast journalism '24) now is a reporter for WINK-TV in Fort Myers, Florida.
Best Student News Reporting (TV)
First Place: Bridget Bruchalski, SC among deadliest states for motorcycle crashes
Second Place: Zane Heinlein, Trade School Surge
Heinlein (broadcast journalism '25) now is a production assistant in the digital video division of CNN Atlanta.
Best Student Feature Reporting (TV)
First Place: Bridget Bruchalski, USC students prepare for a fiery tradition
Second Place: Chloe Castain, Milo the Koala: On a Mission
Castain (broadcast journalism '25) now is an independent freelancer creating digital content for NASCAR and editorial features
for Palomino County Magazine.
Best Student Multimedia Report
First Place: Calleen Soper (master's, multimedia journalism, '25), Jack Bradshaw (visual communications '26) and Rachel Hull (visual communications
'27), Pulling a Firetruck for Kids with Cancer
Soper now is a development coordinator for Transitions Homeless Center.
Best Student Photography (TV)
First Place: Chloe Castain, South Carolina State Fair Pig Races
Best Student Sportscast (TV)
First Place: Courtney Hollmon (broadcast journalism '25), Carolina News Sportscast: October 29, 2024
Hollmon now is an analyst and broadcaster for the Columbia Fireflies.
Best Student TV Weathercast (TV)
First Place: Isabella Davis (broadcast journalism '25), Carolina News Weathercast: October 30, 2024
Davis now is a flight attendant with United Airlines.
Best Student Sports Story (TV)
Second Place: Matt Frank (broadcast journalism '26), SC Sports Betting
Best Student News Producing (TV)
Second Place: Zane Heinlein, Carolina News: December 5, 2024