Mark of Excellence Awards 2024 regional winner

The Society of Professional Journalists honors the best in student journalism through the annual Mark of Excellence Awards.

On Wednesday, "No grass, no crabs" won SPJ's In-Depth Reporting (Large) category, competing against student submissions from Delaware, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. First-place regional winners advance to the national competition.

It's an honor to receive this award alongside the talented journalists Andrea Durán and Daranee Balachandar. Teamwork made the dream work as we covered pollution concerns by the Gunpowder River.

A special shout-out also goes to the Capital News Service bureau directors who supported our vision for this piece: James R. Carroll and Adam Marton.

This recognition comes as the current administration terminates federal grants awarded to Riverkeeper networks nationwide, among other organizations that address community environmental concerns and climate resiliency.

Compiled with EPA regulation rollbacks, grassroots bi-partisan support and efforts to document pollution concerns in the coming weeks, months and years will become increasingly important. The Joppa community in Maryland did not disappoint as their work ramped up during an otherwise polarizing election cycle.