UK journalism senior and Kernel alumna Allie Garza finished second in the national multimedia competition of the 50th annual Hearst Journalism Awards, often called the Pulitzer Prize of college journalism.

She won the award for her video and photo slideshow to accompany the Kentucky Kernel article “Cutting its roots: Kentucky crop’s future unclear,” which highlighted the UK tobacco ban and the tobacco industry in Kentucky. The article and multimedia can be seen on the Kernel’s website, (www.50.63.25.108).

“It’s gratifying and rewarding. It’s the most prestigious award in college journalism,” she said. “I’m honored to have placed so high among so many other talented college journalists. I know some of them and the quality of their work, so it means a lot.”

Garza said her intention with the project was not to criticize or endorse the tobacco industry, but to show how deep the ties are between UK and the state’s most prolific crop.

With Garza’s win, UK tied for 7th place in the multimedia competition. UK also finished in the top 10 in news writing and photojournalism.

— Staff report

Click HERE to see Allie Garza’s winning video and photo slideshow.