Jada Skye Brown, a senior digital media studies major at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Sydney Rutledge-Smith, a recent UMES graduate, won awards from the Chesapeake chapter of the Associated Press for their work with Delmarva Public Media.
The recognitions were part of a record 17 awards received by Delmarva Public Media, including first-place awards in eight categories, from the Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcaster Association (CAPBA) on May 30. Delmarva Public Media is a collaboration of three radio stations operated by UMES and Salisbury University.
“I am very proud of the work that our small but mighty team of professional and student reporters are doing each and every day here in our community,” said Bryan Russo, chief content officer for Delmarva Public Media. “Local news coverage is getting harder and harder to do well in this ever-changing media landscape, and these awards are a testament to the tenacity, dedication and their commitment to delivering thorough, interesting and objective news stories about our region.”
Brown, who serves as an intern with Delmarva Public Media, won first place in the outstanding college newscast category for her role in the weekly “Five-Minute Fly-By” broadcast. She said winning an AP award as a college student is “unreal.”
“It’s an experience that I will take with me throughout my life and carry through my career,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be in media, and this experience proves that not only can I communicate with others, I can connect with others too.”
Rutledge-Smith, along with Russo, won first- and second place for outstanding general news featuring stories. Rutledge-Smith earned first place for her interview with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore during the 2024 Spring Commencement, and second place for a feature on how President Trump’s order to end DEI programs could impact UMES.
“When Professor Russo told me that I was up for an award, I cried, because that was one of my biggest accomplishments and I was so proud of myself,” she said. “Being up for an award brought me a whole new confidence and a drive and motivation that’s indescribable.”
Rutledge-Smith said her UMES experience has been critical to her success.
“I don’t think HBCUs get enough credit for all they do for their students,” she said. “UMES specifically has given me endless opportunities, and I am forever grateful for the people who have helped motivate me and push me to where I am today.”
Delmarva Public Media Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters Association Awards:
COLLEGE RADIO:
- Outstanding General News: 1, Sydney Rutledge-Smith and Bryan Russo, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, “Maryland Governor Says HBCU’s ‘More Important Than Ever Before'”; 2, Sydney Rutledge-Smith and Bryan Russo, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, “UMES Could Feel the Shock of Trump’s DEI Orders.”
- Outstanding Feature: 1, Colin Bright and Bryan Russo, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, “Worcester County Family Gets the Home of Their Dreams”; 2, Lauren Imhof and Bryan Russo, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, “Conservation Conversations: Do Dandelions Have Healing Powers?.”
- Outstanding College Newscast: 1, Tyler Hale, Jada Skye Brown and Keema Jones, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, “The Five-Minute Fly-By.”
RADIO II/NON-METRO:
- Best Enterprise Reporting: 1st place: Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., “ICE Sparks Fear and Uncertainty in Delmarva’s Immigrant Community”;
- Best Specialty Reporting: 1st place: Stephen Philip Harvey, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., “Off the Record”
- Outstanding Sports Feature: 1st place: Jenny O’Connor, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., “Salisbury University Brings Back the Marching Band to Amp up Fan’s Experience.”
- Outstanding Serious Feature: 1st place: Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., “Delmarva’s Food Pantries Overwhelmed as Thanksgiving Approaches”
- Outstanding Light Feature: 1st place, Brian Shane and Bryan Russo, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., “Snow Hill Celebrates 25 Years of ‘Blessings’”
- Outstanding Spot News Reporting: 2nd place: Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., “Reconnecting Communities’ Grants Fall to Trump Budget Cuts.”
- Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: 2nd place: Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., “Deportation on Delmarva.”
- Outstanding Use of Sound: 2nd place: Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., “Mixing Food and Politics: Behind the Scenes at the Annual Tawes Crab and Clam Bake.”
- Outstanding News Series: 2nd place: Don Rush, “Trump Immigration Raids Spark Fear in the Undocumented Community”
- Best Investigative Reporting: 2nd place: Kevin Diaz and Don Rush, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., “Former Salisbury Council President on Why He Quit.”
- Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: 2nd place: Bryan Russo, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., “Hospitality Bites: Exploring the Dramatic Rise in Mental Health Issues in the Hospitality Industry.”
- Outstanding News Operation: 2nd place: Don Rush and Bryan Russo, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md.
