Janet Nellis Mendler Student Journalist of the Year

Places:

1st- Ruby Go (DIV. 1)  (Washtenaw Community College) 

Judge comments:

What a wonderful surprise to see a charter school student entered in this category. Perhaps the biggest complement I can pay Ruby is that her writing fits indistinguishably well among the other wonderfully-written stories submitted by community college journalists in this category. It’s easy to see why her adviser is excited about her future with the Voice. There is a maturity and confidence in her writing that will grow and strengthen with every story she writes. Her ledes are strong and her choice of quotes shows an understanding of both voice and restraint. Janet appreciated great writing. The way this writer provides details and observations about a subject – show us, don’t tell us, Janet would have reminded us – would have drawn much praise from her. I think Janet would agree with me when I say, Ruby has a bright future in journalism. It’s my pleasure to encourage Ruby’s journey by naming her the DIV. 1 Student Journalist of the Year.

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1st- Kathryn DePauw (DIV. 2) (Northwestern Michigan College)

Judge comments:

As her adviser astutely noted in this entry, Kathryn DePauw has a knack for finding important news stories and a heart for bringing her feature stories to life. DePauw clearly has an interest in telling the stories of people who strive to move forward despite the odds that are stacked against them. Her profile of an Afghanistan man’s separation from his family, as he starts a new life in Traverse City, is equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring. Her storytelling style moves the story along so one does not linger on a single moment, but truly takes us through Edris Fana’s life as he makes his way toward, hopefully, a reunion with his family who is trapped overseas. Her profile of a student who is trying to juggle school, raising a child and trying to support herself after COVID-19 wrecked the Up North economy was well-written and empathetic. It’s impossible to read her story and not wonder what happened to this student – Did she stay in school? Is her family now forced to live out of their car? Janet loved great storytelling. Details stuck with her – the kind of quotes that you can’t get out of your head after you have finished reading a story. I think Janet would agree with me when I say, Kathryn’s work clearly stood out among all the other entrants. Hands down, she deserves to be Student Journalist of the Year.