The BYU School of Communications broadcast journalism program CoogTube and four ElevenNEWS at Noon students were awarded Gracie Awards June 22 during the Gracies Awards Luncheon at the New York Hilton Midtown. The ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of women in media and entertainment at the local, public and student levels.
Winners Rebecca Woahn, Tawny Zambrano, and Lauren Butterfield Wade attended the event to receive the honors. Aubree Jones Bosen was unable to attend because she had just given birth to her first baby a few days before the ceremony.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Rebecca Woahn, Tawny Zambrano, and Lauren Butterfield Wade. Not pictured: Aubree Jones Bosen.
The Gracies focus on recognizing exemplary programming created for women, by women and about women. Since 1975, these awards have been presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation to honor programming and individuals in radio, television, cable and web-based media. The numerous winners in this year’s competition highlight the caliber of students and quality instruction that can be found at BYU.
“My education at BYU has allowed me to go beyond the classroom; the hands on opportunities to work in the lab and with professors have taught me so much,” said Rebecca Woahn, a senior in the journalism emphasis and Gracie winner. “I graduate in August and as I’ve been interviewing for internships and jobs, people are always impressed by the experiences that we have as undergraduates here at BYU.”
For Lauren Butterfield, it has not only been receiving the Gracie Award that will forever be memorable, but also the experiences that she has had along the way.
“I received the award for a story very close to my heart,” said Butterfield. “The story was about my 5-year old friend who not only fought cancer twice, but has beaten it both times. She is an inspiration and hero to me and it means so much that through her, I won a Gracie, which is all about the empowerment of women. I feel very blessed.”
Gracie Awards presented to the School of Communications this year:
- CoogTube
Outstanding Sports Program
Brigham Young University
- Rebecca Woahn
Outstanding On-Air Talent: Sports Program
Brigham Young University/KBYU
- Tawny Zambrano
Outstanding Director – News
Brigham Young University/KBYU - Lauren Butterfield
Lifesaving Bond – Outstanding Soft News Feature
Brigham Young University/KBYU
- Aubree Jones
Outstanding Reporter/Correspondent
Brigham Young University