Infused with a renewed sense of enthusiasm for each other and a better understanding of their craft, journalism students left the 2008 Journalism Association of Community Colleges convention with 15 awards.

The Union newspaper staff attended JACC’s annual state conference the weekend of April 3-5 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles.

The convention featured 70 workshops and 13 on-the-spot competitions where more than 65 schools and 700 students participated.

“It was very cut-throat. The competition aspect was at the front of everyone’s mind,” John Maioriello, photo editor, said.

The Union newspaper and the Warrior Life magazine won General Excellence awards in the Mail-In Contest.

On-the-spot awards were taken by Matt Lopez, editor-in-chief, Angela Sabrowsky, managing editor and Warrior Life editor, and Maioriello.

Lopez, Maioriello and Sabrowsky also received a General Excellence award for their multimedia presentation. Lopez also placed first in sports writing and Cristian Vasquez, co-sports editor, took an honorable mention in sports writing.Lopez placed third for newspaper column and Sabrowsky won honorable mention for newspaper column. Third place was taken by Nick Ingram for newspaper sports story. Fred Kim received honorable mention for his illustration.

It was Miyu Kataoka’s, opinion editor, first time to participate in JACC and the experience allowed her to bond with the rest of the staff and learn some things about herself.

“I learned that I am not as shy as I used to be when interviewing people and that I can write and come up with a story quickly if I need to,” she said.

Jolene Combs, professor of journalism and retired Union adviser, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her years of service to journalism education at the convention.

“It was pretty amazing to see my adviser being praised by so many professionals in the field,” Vasquez said.

” If these students stick around, they will be better prepared for next semester’s regional competition.I am always really proud of them,” Lori Medigovich, Union adviser and journalism professor, said.