SoJ Web Report | June 8, 2010
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| Courtesy photo |
| Rachel Stark is in New York to compete in the Hearst contest. |
Stark is one of eight national finalists who will compete in the 50th Annual National Hearst Journalism Awards Championship in New York City June 8-12. Finalists were determined through a nearly year-long points system, with individual winners from many colleges and universities competed in several categories throughout the year, amassing points for themselves and for their schools. Indiana University won first place in the overall contest, a first for the school.
Stark’s individual scores gained her entry to the final individual competition. The finalists will write an on-the-spot news story first, then will participate in a group interview of the mayor. Based on that, students will write 500-word news stories and a 1,000 word personality profiles, which will determine the final winner.
Stark said in an e-mail before leaving for New York that she’s spent many hours researching Bloomberg as well as preparing with Riley Endowed Chair Tom French, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who coached many of his students who entered the Hearst competition throughout the year.
“I have been preparing for this for months now with Tom,” Stark said. “He has sent me out to Dunn Meadow, the Union and Bryan Park to do practice on-the-spot news stories. I have read past stories written in the contest. He has been a tremendous help, guiding me and talking through ideas even after school has ended. I hope I am well-prepared, though it’s hard to know what to expect.”
Dean Brad Hamm also will travel to New York to attend the ceremony, where he will pick up the $10,000 prize and medal the school won for taking first place in the overall contest. Stark said she will write a first person piece for this Web site about her experience when she returns.
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