Competing against 35 community colleges within the Southern California region last Friday and Saturday, the Union staff returned victorious with 16 awards.
The annual Journalism Association of Community Colleges conference at California State University, Fullerton had 415 students and faculty in attendance for its various workshops and competitions, Union adviser Lori Medigovich said.
“It’s a great experience for the Union because it shows that our staff is really talented and our efforts are not going unnoticed,” Editor-In-Chief Miles Villalon said.
Competitions included mail-in submissions, where colleges submit its best work from previous publications, such as feature stories, opinion pieces and general page layout and design.
EC received a General Excellence award for its spring semester publication of the Union and its magazine “Warrior Life” received awards for its feature, opinion and profile stories.
“On-the-spot competitions separate the men from the boys,” arts editor Haipha Simon said.
Photographers were directed on what to shoot, had about 10 minutes to edit photo captions and ensure that their photos fit the dimensions given.
In her first photojournalism competition, Biljana Milasin placed first in the feature photo competition.
“I’m surprised and very proud that every photographer who competed won an award,” Co-photo editor Tony Pinto said.
Staff writer Erika Maldonado received honorable mention in the news writing competition after being given one hour to write about presentation on a new center for journalists dealing with traumatic events.
MariaCristina Gonzalez Co-News Editor also won fourth place in a two round competition consisting of News Judgment and designing a front page layout.
“It was bit overwhelming just make to the second part of the competition, but it was in the end a great experience for me,” Gonzalez said.
Along with competitions, the Union staff benefited from the dozens of workshops ranging from writing tips, landing an internship and journalism in the music industry.
“The workshop I attended gave me so many ideas I can start applying now to our newspaper,” features editor Danielle Hutton said.
The Union staff members had a great time and can’t wait to attend the state competition.
“I think in the spring we all will do much better now that we know what to expect at these type of competitions,” Gonzalez said.
“The state competition is suppose to be more challenging, but I know that there will also be more great opportunities also so we can continue to improve our newspaper,” she said.
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Journalism department wins several awards at regional competition
November 5, 2009
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