“Congratulations on your hard work and strong journalism multimedia news packages.”
Those were the words Florida A&M University School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC) students Kaylin Jean-Louis and Naji Rutherford found in their inboxes when Professor Kenneth Jones notified them of being selected as finalists for the 2025 Florida News Awards.
The awards recognize outstanding work by professional and college-level broadcast journalists working in the state of Florida.
Rutherford and Jean-Louis, both senior journalism students, earned finalist recognition in the general assignment reporting category for their work at FAMU TV-20.
Jean-Louis’s news package examined how new diversity, equity and inclusion policies affected college students at nearby Florida State University. Rutherford’s package focused on the community impact of a robbery at a local Salvation Army.
According to contest organizers, “The 2025 contest produced another terrific turnout, with broadcast journalists representing more than 50 different Florida television and radio stations and submitting more than 700 total entries.”
Professional journalists from across the country reviewed and scored submissions.
In response to the news of their recognition, both students expressed gratitude for the training they received at SJGC and for the support of the school’s faculty.
“I am incredibly grateful to Professor William Jiles and Professor Kenneth Jones for seeing my potential and teaching me everything I know about TV news,” Rutherford wrote.
Jean-Louis wrote, “I am grateful to Professor William Jiles for seeing my potential in the classroom and trusting me to bring it to life on FAMU TV-20 News. Thank you to Professor Kenneth Jones for recognizing the work behind this package and submitting it for award consideration.”
Winners will be announced Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Rosen Centre Resort in Orlando during the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists’ Press Forward event.
