The Society of Professional Journalists recognized The Hatchet with four awards at the annual collegiate journalism competition last week.

The Hatchet won first place in the following categories:

General news reporting at large: Complaints filed against unlicensed counseling director by Ellie Smith

Sports writing at large: A team and a school unite in a championship by Nora Princiotti

Editorial writing: GW Hatchet staff editorials by The GW Hatchet Staff

General column writing at large: Melissa Holzberg

The winners in each category in the region — which includes Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and D.C. — will compete at the national competition against other first-place winners from 12 regions. National winners will be announced in late spring at the Excellence in Journalism conference in Anaheim, Calif.