Awards
Alexandra Whitbeck accepts the award for 2023 Weekly Journalist of the year from exiting S.C. Press Association President Richard Whiting.
2023 S.C. Press Association Weekly Journalist of the Year
Alexandra Whitbeck was named the 2023 Weekly Journalist of the Year by the S.C. Press Association at their March 15, 2024 Annual Awards Banquet held in Columbia, S.C.
Remarks from S.C. Press Association Attorney Taylor Smith: “This year’s honoree exemplifies local, local, local! She covers her community from top to bottom with human interest and coverage of important local issues that matter to her community. Whether covering a 100-year-old’s birthday, talking to loved ones of someone who has died, or writing about local government, this reporter handles each assignment with professionalism, respect and tenacity. She wears many hats. She’s not just a reporter and photographer at her newspaper. She also handles website advertising, social media and videos. Standout work from the past year includes coverage of the school district consolidation, EMS services and volunteer fire departments. Alexandra Whitbeck’s body of work exemplifies the impact a local journalist can have on a community. Thank you for all you do to better inform Barnwell and hold public officials more accountable.”
Alexandra Whitbeck accepts the first place award for Investigative Reporting from the S.C. Press Association in March 2025.
2024 S.C. Press Association Annual awards banquet
Alexandra Whitbeck received two first place awards at the 2024 awards banquet: Investigative Reporting and Business Beat Reporting. The staff was awarded a third place award for social media use, including the website and social media pages managed by Whitbeck.
THE ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN IN MEDIA 2022 AWARDS
Alexandra Whitbeck BA ’20/MA ’22 won a 2022 Gracie Award by the Alliance of Woman in Media in the investigative podcast category for “Sex Work After Gilgo,” produced for Getting to the Root through WRHU. A double-alumna of the journalism program, Whitbeck explored the treatment and perception of sex workers in society through the lens of the events following the investigation of the Gilgo Murders, or Long Island Serial Killer case.
Alexandra Whitbeck accepts the 2024 Jay Bender Award for Assertive Journalism from Jen Madden of the S.C. Press Association.
2024 Jay bender award for assertive journalism
Alexandra Whitbeck was selected for the 2024 Jay Bender Award for Assertive Journalism. Each year, this award is given to a journalist who, “isn’t afraid to kick down doors,” said S.C. Press Association Attorney and S.C. FOIA law author Jay Bender.
This award represents countless series published by Whitbeck addressing areas of public concern, asking public officials tough questions, and bringing to light otherwise hidden elements of local government and law enforcement.
The People-Sentinel team brought home a total of 26 awards at the 2023 S.C. Press Association Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet including General Excellence.
2023 S.C. Press Association annual meeting & awards banquet
Alexandra Whitbeck received 8 awards for reporting, video, and photography at the 2023 S.C. Press Association Annual Awards Banquet. The People-Sentinel team was award 26 awards in total, including the 2023 General Excellence award for the second consecutive year. The annual banquet was held on March 5, 2024.
Whitbeck was also awarded for Breaking News Reporting-1st place, Investigative Reporting-3rd place, Beat Reporting-1st & 3rd place, Feature Photo- 3rd place, Personality Photo or Portrait- 2nd place, Humorous Photo- 1st place, News Video-2nd place.
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Awarded to Alexandra Whitbeck and Jonathan VIckery for breaking and in-depth coverage of the 202 fire at Hagood Avenue Baptis Church in Barnwell. Read more here.
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Awarded for Alexandra Whitbeck’s ongoing coverage of financial discrepancies, lack of certified members, and county mismanagement of a rural volunteer fire department. Read more here.
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Alexandra Whitbeck’s coverage of court cases, law enforcement violations, and judicial process awarded first and third place for a selection of stores.
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Alexandra Whitbeck captured U.S. Army veteran Natasha Sept being hugged by her students at Macedonia Elementary-Middle School in Blackville during the Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 10. Sept served her country for 8 years.
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Whitbeck captured graduate Colby Baker proudly holding his diploma from Williston-Elko High School after commencement ceremonies in May 2023. See the photo here.
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Alexandra Whitbeck captured graduate Enrique Fredrick dancing across the stage after receiving his diploma at Blackville-Hilda High School on May 26, 2023. This brought smiles and laughs to the audience.
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Alexandra Whitbeck compiled footage of the community and first responders during the fire at Hagood Avenue Baptist Church in Barnwell, S.C. Watch the video here.
2021 Robert W. Greene Public Service Award
Alexandra Whitbeck was part of a news team for The Long Island Advocate covering the opioid crisis on Long Island, N.Y. She focused on the impact of opioid addiction on children. The team was awarded the 2021 Robert W. Greene Public Service Award.
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALIST’S MARK OF EXCELLENCE AWARD FINALIST IN THE PODCAST CATEGORY
Annually, the Society of Professional Journalists presents the Mark of Excellence Awards, honoring the best in student journalism. Alexandra Whitbeck was named a finalist for her podcast Sex Work After Gilgo for the 2021 Mark of Excellence Award.
Alexandra Whitbeck was nominated as the 2024 Barnwell County Empow-HER Legacy Award Winner by the Southern Palmetto Chamber of Commerce.
SOUTHERN PALMETTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2024 EMPOW-HER LEGACY AWARD
Alexandra Whitbeck was named the 2024 Barnwell County Empow-Her Legacy Award Winner by the Southern Palmetto Chamber of Commerce. She was nominated for this award by members of the community and awarded on March 21, 2024.
2022 S.C. Press Association Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet
Alexandra Whitbeck was awarded seven total awards at the 2022 S.C. Press Association Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet for her reporting and photography. The People-Sentinel team brought home over 20 awards plus the General Excellence award.
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Alexandra Whitbeck was awarded first place for a picture of a boy carrying his younger brother, dressed as Stitch, on his shoulders at a trunk-or-treat event.
She was awarded third place for a photo of a veteran on his 100th birthday with his son.
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This photo was of a graduate hugging her mother. The judges said it “captures a moment, both the beginning of time and the end. Plus the lighting is perfect.”
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This award winning photo is of a young boy holding a snake at an ecology lab at the Barnwell Public Library.
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This award was for coverage on local ice cream parlors, the Palmetto Innovation Center, and an industrial thrift store all in Barnwell County.
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Alexandra Whitbeck was awarded for her continued coverage on the City of Barnwell’s negligence in providing animal control, resulting in one woman being mauled after the owner of the dogs never received lawful repercussions.
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Alexandra Whitbeck was awarded third place for her enterprise reporting in covering developing issues with Barnwell County’s now former EMS service, Medshore.
2022 HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY GRADUATE Senior OF THE YEAR
Alexandra Whitbeck was named the 2022 Graduate Student of the Year at Hofstra University. She received this award post-graduation. Pictured is director of the M.A journalism program at Hofstra University Chris Vaccarro and Alexandra Whitbeck at the awards ceremony.