VisCom students place among top 10 in national competition

Two photojournalism students from the School of Visual Communication (VisCom) in Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communication placed among the top ten winners in the Photo Picture Story/Series category of the 2020-21 Hearst Journalism Awards.

Junior Leslie Ostronic placed sixth and senior Laura Bilson placed tenth. Both students are photojournalism majors in VisCom.

Ostronic submitted a series of photographs featuring her eight-year-old sister Parker’s experience during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Often, Parker brought the most spirit to our family in a time of distress and uncertainty,” Ostronic said. “I think that without her in the house, especially during lockdown, our family’s morale would have been much lower. I look forward to reflecting on the pandemic and these images with her in the future.”

Ohio University also placed second in the Intercollegiate Photojournalism Competition, which is based on accumulated student points from Hearst’s two photo competitions, earning a $4,000 award.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program was created in 1960 to provide support, encouragement and assistance to journalism programs and students at the university level. Winners of the competition receive scholarships as well as grants for the university they are representing. The awarded scholarships are prestigious and require hard work as well as a passion for the field of journalism.