1st Place, Follow-Up News Coverage
2021-22, Division 1-2, News Writing
By Aaron J. Puno
Pioneer Optimist
Pioneer HS
UPDATE: Monday, Jan. 30, 5 p.m.
A Pioneer sophomore who was missing for over 72 hours has been found dead on school grounds.
Adriana “Addy” Davidson, 15, was reported missing on the night of Friday, Jan. 27. She was found dead by local authorities using a police K-9 unit at 1 this afternoon. Her body was found under the bleachers at Hollway Field football stadium, on the grounds of Pioneer where she attended. Law enforcement officials have told local media they do not suspect foul play at this time as they are awaiting an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Davidson’s disappearance sparked a massive outpouring of concern and compassion throughout the Ann Arbor community, especially throughout social media platforms frequented by high school students.
While Davidson’s disappearance was initially characterized by both law enforcement spokespeople and news media as suspicious after her phone reportedly was found near the Pioneer tennis courts.
In a statement sent to the Pioneer community shortly after news broke of the tragic student death, Ann Arbor Public Schools Superintendent Jeanice K. Swift said, “Our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to Adriana’s family, friends and the Pioneer community. Please reach out and support each other. Remember that this hard news affects everyone differently. Sometimes it really hits hard even for students and staff who did not know Addy personally. This is especially true now.”
Swift added that counselors and grief support teams wold be in place to support students and staff at Pioneer, as well as across all AAPS school campuses as is needed this week, and urged everyone to “remain vigilant for all those who may be struggling across our community.”
If you have information about this case, please call Washtenaw Metro Dispatch at 734-994-2911, or the confidential tip line at 734-973-7711.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, call the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8.
NW-03. Follow-up News Coverage
News coverage that follows up on a story previously published by the media program. There should be more detail and explanation of what has been learned since the original story broke. Submit a PDF of the print page(s) on which the follow-up story was published or the URL to the story on an online news site, as well as the previous news story this entry follows. URL to previous story may be submitted into the Additional Information field.
JUDGING CRITERIA
- Expands upon breaking news or previous news coverage when more facts are available or a whole proper story can be written
- Clarifies the news elements, i.e. timeliness, nearness, impact and prominence
- Clarifies through research the background necessary to understand current news
- Shows thorough reporting skills; develops an understanding of the issues/problems through interviews with varied and balanced sources
- Avoids personal opinion unless properly attributed
- Sentences, paragraphs of varied length, written clearly, concisely and vividly
- Effective use of facts/quotes gathered predominantly from primary sources. Secondary sources, if used, are cited appropriately.
- Proper diction/grammar; use of third person