Burgos Avila, Wahl win SPJ Mark of Excellence awards
Staff report
Bell Ringer editor-in-chief Rodrigo Burgos Avila and former news editor CM Wahl have won Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence for Region 3, the SPJ office in Indianapolis announced on Thursday, April 23.
Burgos Avila took first place in sports column writing for his opinion piece titled “The cost of a $5 bet.” It was published this past fall. It explores the pitfalls of sports betting and includes Burgos Avila’s personal experience.
Wahl, who graduated in May 2025, finished runner-up in general news reporting for her article titled “What AU experts say about mass violence,” which was published last spring. Wahl examined how the university trains faculty, staff and administrators for critical response situations.
SPJ is a 117-year-old national organization that originated at DePauw University in Indiana. It supports journalists with legal and professional counseling. SPJ also encourages the free practice of journalism and promotes high ethical standards in the profession. It also serves as an ambassador for the First Amendment.
SPJ Georgia attended CommuniCon at Augusta University on Thursday, April 23, and president Katja Ridderbusch and Augusta member Jennifer McKee gave a workshop on covering protests in the MAC Lab of Allgood Hall to communication students and Bell Ringer staff.
Region 3 includes South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
Meanwhile, the Southern Regional Press Institute announced its contest winners, and current Bell Ringer news editor Caelyn Dockal took first place in opinion writing for her story “The shutdown you didn't see and its ripple effect.” Burgos Avila took third place in the same category.
Bell Ringer correspondent Jenna Harrington finished first in sports writing for her story titled “Strength in mind and muscle: Med student competes in Ironman 70.3 Augusta.” Burgos Avila finished third in sports writing for a men’s basketball story.
Photographer Avery Jaynes finished second in feature (sports) photography for his photo of cross-country runner Madison Thomas. Producers Rose Murray and Emma McBride took second in the best commercial category for their public service announcement titled “Protect Their Future.” Their PSA was created in COMM 3030 (Audiovisual Media Production) with Arthur Takahashi serving as adjunct professor.
News reporter Amy Zhou finished third in the best news story competition. Her article was titled “AI in medicine expands, aiding efficiency.”
The Bell Ringer website finished second in the best news site category.
Note: At the top of the page, Rodrigo Burgos Avila, editor in chief of the Bell Ringer, took home best sports column in the SPJ Region III Mark of Excellence contest. (file photo)
In the SPJ Mark of Excellence Region 3 contest, the Bell Ringer’s CM Wahl, at right, was runner-up in general news for her story on critical response preparation at AU. (file photo)
