The William Randolph Hearst Foundation has announced the 29 journalism students representing 17 universities from across the country who will compete in the 64th annual National Writing, Photojournalism, Audio, Television and Multimedia Championships, June 1-7, 2024.

The finalists include eight writing finalists, six photojournalism finalists, five audio finalists, five television finalists and five multimedia finalists, selected from 1,315 entries received in this year’s 14 monthly competitions.

During the Championships, held in San Francisco, the finalists will fulfill assignments selected by our judges, competing for scholarship awards of $1,500 to $10,000.

We congratulate the 2024 National Championship Finalists.

Writing Finalists
Keetra Bippus, Arizona State University
Elliott Deins, University of Oregon
Sinclair Holian, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Marissa Meador, Indiana University
Lincoln Roch, Drake University
Lia Salvatierra, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ashton Slaughter, Oklahoma State University
Nick Stonesifer, Pennsylvania State University

Photo Finalists
Anna Connors, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Benjamin Fanjoy, San Francisco State University
Brett Phelps, Western Kentucky University
Audrey Richardson, Michigan State University
Grace Smith, University of Iowa
Owen Ziliak, University of Missouri

Audio Finalists
Mel Bridges, Louisiana State University
Ronnie Parrillo, Syracuse University
Sierra Pfeifer, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Henry Taylor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Kai Williams, University of Montana

Television Finalists
Chilekasi Adele, Syracuse University
Tabitha Bland, Arizona State University
Denzen Cortez, Arizona State University
John Perik, Syracuse University
Steven Schlink, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Multimedia Finalists
Kenzie Bulris, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Marilee Combs, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Rhiannon Johnston, Western Kentucky University
Murphy McFarlane, Syracuse University
Serra Sowers, University of Florida

Presently, 105 colleges and universities with accredited undergraduate journalism schools are eligible to participate in the Hearst Journalism Awards Program. Funded and administered for 64 years by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, the Journalism Program awards up to $700,000 in scholarships, grants and stipends annually.