Three Reynolds School of Journalism students placed in the 2023-2024 Hearst Journalism Awards Program national competition. Zoe Malen and Madison Lloyd were awarded in the Multimedia Innovative Storytelling category and Sophia Holm placed 10th in the Audio category.

Zoe Malen

Zoe Malen won with her submission titled “Seven Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Brands to Support,” placing 13th in the Multimedia Innovative Storytelling Competition. Malen is currently the photo editor at the Nevada Sagebrush, and will be graduating this spring.

“Graduation is very bittersweet for me as of now. It is sad to leave the Reynolds School but I am so excited for what is to come,” said Malen.

Malen hopes to work in the film industry and to keep creating art, while also continuing her work as a photojournalist and expanding her visual storytelling skills.

The inspiration behind her story stems from her passion for environmentalism and the small steps individuals can take to help protect the planet.

“The video promotes that even just paying attention to the smaller decisions of your everyday lifestyle can really make a difference,” Malen said.

Madison Lloyd

Madison Lloyd (’23) earned 10th place in the Multimedia Innovative Storytelling Competition with her story “What Would Happen if the Yellowstone Supervolcano Were to Erupt?” Lloyd, who graduated last spring, has always been interested in the environment and natural disasters and she had recently visited Yellowstone before her project. Lloyd was very proud to place in the top ten and says this award has motivated her to put more of her work out into the world.

Since graduation, Lloyd has been pursuing freelance photography in Las Vegas and taking campaign portraits for local political candidates ahead of the 2024 election.

Sophia Holm

Sophia Holm was awarded 10th place in the audio category for reporting she did at KUNR, including her stories “Reno Fire Department Enlists Goats to Fight Fire” and “Sparks-Based Auto Shop Restores Classic Cars for Lowriding While Aiming to Help Community.”  Holm strives to report on topics that have never been reported on before in the Reno-Sparks area. When she found out she had won a Hearst award, she didn’t believe it at first.

“I was honestly shocked when I learned I was a Hearst winner," Holm said. "I got the email and didn’t open it at first because I didn’t expect to place. Then, I received an email from Nico congratulating me, and I was in disbelief. It’s an incredible honor, and I’m very grateful to have even had the opportunity to submit my work.”

Holm currently interns at KUNR Public Radio and hopes to stay at the station permanently. She is also looking at attending grad school.