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Journalism Students, Grads Celebrated at 60th Annual Just Desserts Event

May 8, 2026
Jesse Tellez
A group of students pose for a photo at an event

Students attend the University of Arizona School of Journalism's Just Desserts student awards ceremony on May 7, 2026.

Photo by Rick Wiley
The University of Arizona School of Journalism celebrated its students and graduates at the 60th annual Just Desserts student awards celebration on May 7, 2026.
 
School Director Jan Lauren Boyles, Assistant Professor Zicheng Cheng, and Assistant Professors of Practice Kendal Blust and Rick Wiley presented more than 40 awards and scholarships at the event held at the Student Union Memorial Center.
 
Rick Wiley took home this year’s Hugh and Jan Harelson Excellence in Teaching Award, and Program Coordinator Meredith Edwards won the Carol and Cecil Schwalbe Staff Award for Outstanding Service.
 
“It’s always a joy to celebrate and recognize the hard work of our faculty, staff and students,” Boyles said. “We are thankful for all that they give to our School.”
 
Students stand on stage during ceremony

Students are inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society by Assistant Professor Zicheng Cheng on May 7, 2026.

Photo by Rick Wiley
The 2026 student award winners are:
 
  • Philip Mangelsdorf Award for Outstanding Newsperson of the Year: Ian Stash
  • Sherman R. Miller Award for Outstanding Senior: Arilynn Hyatt
  • Brewster P. Campbell Award for Outstanding Junior: Rachel Kietzman
  • Outstanding Graduate Student: Brenda Machado
  • Alex Parker Award for Reporting: Mohinur Mannanova
  • Kathryn Anne Governal Perseverance Award: Dylann Sweeney
  • William Hattich Award for Journalism Professionalism: Sierra Blaser
  • Donald Still Award – Arizona Daily Wildcat: Emma LaPointe
  • Abe Chanin Excellence in Sports Reporting Award: Anna Ludgate
  • Kappa Tau Alpha: Virginia Ford, Elise Richmond, Emma McDonough, Ella Thomsen, Lewis Short, Emma LaPointe, Spencer Kyte, Ali Battina, Sierra Blaser, Kate Condon, Laine Kowalski, Nujood Alahmari, Madison Farwell, McKenna Manzo, Emerson Carmen Lampert Mayorga and Maria Camila Sanjuan
  • Drew Gyorke Photojournalism Contest: 
    • Fall 2025: First – Demetra Alarcon. Second – Luci Clary. Third – Mily Reil.
    • Spring 2026: First – Hailie Jordan. Second – Nicole Camacho. Third – Vincent Sylvan.

Find a photo gallery from the 2026 Just Desserts ceremony here: https://bit.ly/JustDesserts26