Winchester Student Journalist Is Runner-Up in US National Media Competition

A journalism undergraduate at the University of Winchester was runner-up for a top student broadcasting award in the USA.

Ethan Vine was shortlisted for the Best Feature News Reporting prize at the 2026 CBI National Student Production Awards, which took place at the National Student Media Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. He was nominated for his film on Amish Heritage Centre’s Harvest to Home event, which he made during a semester abroad at Eastern Illinois University between August and December last year.

Ethan’s item, aired by local TV station WEIU, showed how the Amish community grew and harvested their crops during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of the methods on show are still used today During his time at EIU, in the town of in Charleston about three hours’ drive south of Chicago, Ethan contributed several articles to the student newspaper and filmed reports for WEIU, which has links with the university.

Among his published articles was a feature for the Daily Eastern News about a local food bank, which won third place in the Illinois College Press Association awards. He also recorded his experiences of student life stateside on TikTok.

Ethan, 21, from Bracknell, says he was attracted to EIU because of its strong journalism course and student news opportunities.  Among the guest lecturers on Ethan’s EIU course were Dan Woike, head journalist covering the LA Lakers for The Athletic newspaper, and Pete Souza, presidential photographer for Barack Obama.

“My time studying at EIU was unbelievable, and so helpful not only for my academic growth but my personal growth too. I’ve got such fond memories of my experience in America, and I’ve got lifelong friendships to remember it by,” said Ethan.

Back in the UK to complete his studies at Winchester, Ethan earned a placement with four other students from his course to run the media operations at Winchester FC. His role is Social Media Manager.

Brian Thornton, course leader for Journalism at the University of Winchester, said: “The Journalism team is so proud of Ethan; it’s an incredible achievement to have been nominated for such a prestigious award. Ethan is a natural storyteller – combining hard work with journalistic flair. He will, without a shadow of doubt, go on to become a brilliant professional journalist.”

Watch Ethan’s shortlisted report here: bit.ly/4naXjJn

Watch Ethan’s TikTok videos from EIU at www.tiktok.com/@ethanotg