NSCM Journalists Earn Statewide Recognition at Florida News Awards 

Students, faculty, and alumni earned top recognition at the Florida News Awards, showcasing impactful journalism.

Written by: Emily Dougherty | Published: May 22, 2026 

From statewide investigations to deeply personal human-interest stories, students and alumni from the Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM) are proving that meaningful journalism begins with curiosity, persistence and a passion for storytelling. 

This year, multiple Knights were recognized at the Florida News Awards, earning awards alongside professionals across the industry in the state. Their award-winning work highlighted the range of stories UCF educated journalists are telling — from education access and community reporting to compassionate end-of-life care. 

For alumna Nicolle Osorio ’23, the recognition carried special significance. 

Originally from Colombia, Osorio says pursuing higher education in the United States once felt out of reach after moving to the country in 2018. 

Now a Multiplatform Content Lead at Telemundo 31, an American Spanish-language television network, Osorio earned recognition for two projects — including an education-focused series designed to help Hispanic students navigate the American education system. 

Her award-winning piece, titled El Poder En Ti: El Camino Hacia Tu Carrera Universitaria [The Power in You: The Path to Your University Career], won for best educational reporting. The segment highlighted career pathways and educational resources for Hispanic students, covering fields such as law, medicine and technical careers. Osorio says the reporting process required extensive research to ensure the information shared with viewers was both accurate and easy to understand. 

“I was one of the only Spanish-language projects I saw submitted that ended up winning,” Osorio says. “It meant everything to me because it shows you that you can still pursue journalism in Spanish and be successful among so many colleagues doing it in English.” 

For alumna Kayla Lewis ’23, now a reporter at WCJB TV20 in Gainesville, Florida receiving recognition alongside professionals from markets across the state served as validation for the work she has put into her reporting career. 

“Being in a room full of professionals from small, medium and large markets meant a lot,” Lewis says. “I don’t do what I do for awards, but it’s nice to be recognized for something I worked so hard on.” 

Lewis won the award for political reporting for coverage surrounding the Alachua County School Board and investigations by the Florida State Board of Education. She says the reporting involved attending contentious school board meetings, gathering statements from elected officials and community members, and traveling outside her station’s coverage area to follow developments in St. Augustine. 

She credits her education at UCF with preparing her for the realities of newsroom work. 

“Our professors really drilled the basics into us,” Lewis says. “Learning how to write scripts, build stories and focus on the human side of reporting really set me up for success.” 

Lewis encouraged aspiring journalists to begin building professional relationships early in their careers. 

“Connections are crucial in this field,” she says. “Practice really does make perfect.” 

Current NSCM journalism students Bryan Gonzalez and Claire Macchiarola earned recognition for their piece Hospice Chaplain Provides Comfort in Life’s Final Moments, an audio feature story that followed a hospice chaplain caring for patients receiving end-of-life care, winning Best Light Feature in the professional category, as students, while also being recognized as finalists in the collegiate category. 

For Gonzalez, a junior studying journalism on the electronic news track, the honor represented the impact student journalism can have beyond the classroom. 

“It’s not every day where a story pitched in a classroom has the opportunity to compete with professionals in the industry,” Gonzalez says. “It inspires me to continue my passion for journalism.” 

The reporting process challenged the students both emotionally and creatively. After coordinating with organizations and receiving permissions to report the story, the pair spent time interviewing the chaplain and her patients in their homes and care facilities before spending hours editing the final audio production together. 

“There were a lot of moments where we cried and laughed,” Gonzalez says. “But hearing the piece broadcast on radio made it all worth it.” 

Macchiarola says the story left a lasting impact on both of them. 

“To be let into their homes was a risk they took, and we were so grateful to have met them,” Macchiarola says. “Shortly after our day spent with the patients, one of them passed away, and we decided to honor her and memorialize her in our story.” 

She added that opportunities like the project reflect the close-knit support system within NSCM’s journalism program. 

“Our journalism major is tiny but mighty,” Macchiarola says. “The professors truly care about you, and you get to reap the rewards for the work you put in.” 

Across each award-winning story, a common theme emerged: journalism is ultimately about people. 

Whether covering education, politics or deeply personal life experiences, these Knights continue using storytelling to inform communities, elevate voices and create meaningful connections — carrying the lessons they learned at UCF into newsrooms and audiences across Florida. 

To see the full list of finalists and winners click here.