With a spotlight on her face and several glistening trophies behind her, NBC 4 reporter Julie Carey welcomed student journalists from all over the county to the Loudoun Now Excellence in Journalism Awards on May 28. Loudoun Now, a nonprofit news organization owned by Loudoun Community Media, began the program this year to recognize and celebrate journalism students.
To begin the ceremony, Carey spoke of her experiences in journalism. Growing up in Iowa, she learned to find her passion for journalism at her high school and encouraged young journalists to stay involved. Other speakers added to her theme: pursue journalism.
“I sincerely hope that some of you will decide to pursue careers in journalism, because I can say with all earnestness: the world needs you,” Loudoun Community Media Executive Director Renss Green said.
Other speakers provided anecdotes of their own experiences in journalism or simply highlighting the importance of journalism in a rapidly evolving modern world.
“Your work matters. The stories you tell shape how we understand our world and each other.” LCPS Director of Teaching and Learning Jeff Rounsley said during his speech.
Loudoun Now offered students the opportunity to submit their stories in March. Each journalism program could nominate one piece per category: Feature Writing, News Writing, Photography, Podcast, Best Videography. 64 students were nominated.
“It’s definitely important to recognize journalism because I think it’s a field that frequently gets overlooked,” Lightridge High School Editor-in-Chief Panchami Rangaraju
said. “Especially in the area we live in, I feel like there is an overemphasis on STEM and not as much on humanities.”
At the ceremony, many students took the time to reflect on what journalism really means to them.
“It means a lot to me,” Rock Ridge staff writer Sanvi Challa said. “I love writing and being able to meet different people.” Challa won Best News Writing alongside staff member Melissa Waas, while also taking home the grand prize and an internship with Loudoun Now.
Loudoun Now and its partners hope to continue and evolve their program of uplifting student journalists by providing professional forums for students to learn about the field, meetings with college journalism professors, which will take place in the fall, with a second awards ceremony planned for a year from now. “Tonight’s event is just the beginning,” Loudoun Community Media Board of Directors Chair Tony Nerantzis said in his speech.
