The Foghorn News staff returned with 36 awards, including 12 for first place, from their annual state journalism conference in late March. More than 500 students from two- and four-year schools attended the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association conference in Dallas.
“I think we did well. It was beneficial to everyone. They learned how to create better content for the Web and the paper,” said Foghorn News Editor-in-Chief Natalie Murphy.
TIPA gives students the chance to compete against other journalism programs in both previously published and live contests, where they face off against their peers from other schools, regardless of size.
“The live contests help you see what it’s going to be like when on site for an assignment and make you think under pressure, which is a great experience,” said Murphy, who took home three awards and a scholarship.
“I felt like crying when they announced my name for the scholarship,” Murphy said. “Everything helps when you’re trying to pay for school.”
Associate professor of journalism Robert Muilenburg brought 10 students on the trip.
“The students represented us well. I was impressed with their professionalism and I was proud to take them to compete against all the other schools in Texas,” Muilenburg said.
“Our students show that a two-year program can compete with any program in the state,” said Muilenburg, who was also elected the new vice president of TIPA.
Former Foghorn Editor-in-Chief Beth Francesco, who works at the Caller-Times for several years before becoming director of student media for the University of Texas at Arlington, was named TIPA adviser of the year for her passion and desire to help students succeed.
Staff/group awards
1st place, Online Interactivity
2nd place, Overall Excellence
2nd place, Website Navigation
2nd place, Editorial
2nd place, Literary Magazine Overall Excellence
Natalie Murphy
Winner of Mike Warms Scholarship
2nd place, Single Subject Presentation
Honorable mention, 2-Person Photo Essay, live contest
Honorable mention, Sports Action Photo
Meagan Falcon
1st place, Designer of the Year
2nd place, Single Subject Presentation
2nd place, Feature Story
3rd place, Information Graphic
Honorable mention, Multimedia Package
Michelle Mirelez
1st place, Sports Page Design
1st place, Sports Action Photo
2nd place, Headline
Honorable mention, 2-Person Photo Essay, live contest
Josselyn Obregon
1st place, Radio Announcing Spanish, live contest
2nd place, Spanish News Writing
3rd places, Spanish News Writing
Emily Jasso
1st place, Editorial Cartoon, live contest
1st place, Editorial Cartoon
Dominic Perez
3rd place, Sports News Story
Bill Eaves
Honorable mention, Critical Review
Cayce Berryman
1st place, Literary Magazine Story Package
1st place, Picture Story
1st place, Literary Magazine Feature Story
1st place, Literary Magazine Photo Essay
2nd place, Feature Page Design
3rd place, Literary Magazine Feature Photo
Honorable mention, News Story
Honorable mention, Literary Magazine Photo Essay
Honorable mention, Literary Magazine Story Package
Sarah Fecht
1st place, Picture Story
Honorable mention, Multimedia Package
2nd place, Feature Page Design
3rd place, News Feature Story
Christian Mora
3rd place, Literary Magazine Short Story
Desiree Arnold
1st place, Sports Column
Vivien Sanchez
3rd place, Literary Magazine Feature Story
