INDIANAPOLIS – Nadia Scharf, a junior working at the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism, placed third in the Thomas R. Keating writing contest.

Scharf, who also works for the Indiana Daily Student, won a $1,250 prize during the Nov. 12 writing competed hosted by the Indianapolis Press Club Foundation. The prizes are named for Tom Keating, an Indianapolis Star Columnist who died in 1985.

Judges gave the students five hours to report and write a story, according to the press club.

Scharf wrote about holiday lights being installed on Monument Circle.

“This was a very well-rounded story, featuring several characters charged with preserving a Circle City tradition,” the judges said about Scharf’s piece, in a press release.

Junior Lauren Ulrich and former center student Mary Claire Molloy also vied for the Keating prize during Saturday’s contest.

All the prize finalists who competed received $100 and a collection of Keatings work, according to the press club.