Point Park Journalism Students Nominated for Golden Quill Awards Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Two Point Park University students are finalists for the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania's Golden Quill awards, which recognizes professional excellence in journalism.
-- Andrew Conte
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Neil Strebig of Easton, Pa., who recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism, and Christopher Ward of Allentown, Pa., a rising junior majoring in journalism, are finalists for work done through the Point Park New Service, a program founded and overseen by Andrew Conte, director of the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park.
"These nominations are a validation of the professional quality of work so many students are doing through the Point Park News Service," Conte said. "Neil and Christopher are tremendous journalists and writers, and we're extremely proud that their work is being recognized by the Press Club."
The Point Park News Service encourages students to create and submit high-quality content in the form of journalism, photography, videography and audio clips. The work is made available to professional news outlets, and students often see their work published beyond the PPNS website, www.pointparknewsservice.com.
Strebig was nominated under General Feature in the Daily Newspapers Under 45,000 category for his story, "Littlest Angels help parents remember lost babies." It was published online by NEXTpittsburgh. The story profiles Littlest Angels, a group providing local families with precious moments and peace of mind after losing stillborn and premature babies.
"We were impressed with the story since no one had written about this group before," said Tracy Certo, founder and publisher of NEXTpittsburgh. "Neil captured the heartbreak of parents who lose their babies, as well as the hope and inspiration that Littlest Angels is able to provide."
Ward was nominated under Sports in the same category for his story, "Cameroon and Pittsburgh meet on soccer pitch." The story follows the Cameroon Football Development Program, an organization started in 2010 with a mission to improve the well-being of African youth. It is based in Kumba, Cameroon, and Pittsburgh.
Winners will be announced at the Golden Quill Awards presentation on Thursday, May 25, at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel.