WWU student takes top award at American Horse Publications conference

6/11/2012 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

During her time as a student at William Woods University, Dani Moritz has displayed a talent for journalism and a love for horses. The American Horse Publications (AHP) Association agreed and named her the 2012 AHP Student Award Winner.
The senior from Algonquin, Ill., received the award at the AHP conference in Colonial Williamsburg, Va., June 1.
As the winner, she receives a cash award of $1,000, plus an all-expense-paid trip hosted by Publishers Press to one of their two-day customer education seminars in Louisville, Ky., to learn the printing process.

Moritz earlier was named one of three recipients of the AHP annual travel awards to attend the conference. The others were from the University of Maryland and Rice University. A non-profit association for the equine publishing media industry, AHP gives travel awards to students who exhibit exceptional abilities and potential in the equine publishing industry.  
 
The award provided $750 and an opportunity to meet leading equine publishing professionals and discuss career possibilities during the three days of educational sessions and related activities.  
  
The three travel award winners were interviewed at the AHP seminar, and Moritz was announced as the 2012 Student Award winner. The Student Award program, started in 1993, was initiated to promote awareness to students of the career opportunities available in equine publishing.
 
“This program has been a win-win for both the students and the association,” said AHP Executive Director Chris Brune. "Not only does it offer students a chance to learn about a career they may be passionate about, but it also has given equine publishing a long list of talented young people who are an asset to our industry and our association.”
Moritz commented, “It was an amazing opportunity to attend the conference. I met so many wonderful, extremely helpful people and attended sessions that will help guide me in my equine journalism career.”
 
The founder and editor-in-chief of The Talon student newspaper and The Hoot student magazine at William Woods University, Moritz also has completed internships for WWU’s University Relations office and the Daily Muse. She is currently interning with RateMyRiding.com as writer/producer and creative director.
 
Moritz plans to graduate a year early, in May 2013, with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Journalism and Public Relations) and Equine General Studies (Equine Media). She is the daughter of Bev and Tom Moritz of Algonquin, Ill.   
 
 “It was such an honor to be chosen as a travel award winner, let alone win the 2012 AHP Student Award Winner,” Moritz said. “I cannot express enough how thankful I am to the WWU faculty and staff who have not only taught me, but inspired me.”
                                                             
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William Woods University student Dani Moritz (right) is the recipient of the American Horse Publications (AHP) 2012 Student Award. With her are the two Travel Award winners who were also selected to attend the 2012 AHP "Ride Into History" Seminar in Colonial Williamsburg, Va., May 31-June 2: Kate Light, University of Maryland (left) and Sarah Jacobs, Rice University.  (Photo by Daniel K. Lew)