Journalism students win 50 awards at annual conference
Del Mar College journalism students attended the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Conference in Dallas to compete head to head with colleges all over the state, bringing home a total of 50 awards including Two Year College Reporter of the Year.
The annual spring event features competitions and live contests in newspaper, general magazine, radio and television. TIPA, which is the oldest college press association in the nation, honors students from across Texas who have a passion for the free press.
Many of the students who received awards are reporters for the Foghorn News. Together the staff won first place in Headline Writing, Overall Newspaper Design and Special Edition Design. Students won a total of 11 first place awards, 13 second place awards, 13 third place awards and 12 honorable mentions.
Among the most notable winners was dual-credit student Mia Estrada, who was named Two Year College Reporter of the Year. Estrada is the first dual credit student to win the award.
“It’s very rewarding to win Reporter of the Year. I didn’t think I’d be nominated,” Estrada said. “I plan to spend the rest of my career and life dedicated to the art of writing and the truth. I’m proud to be a new writer. I want to share the stories of others.”
Also among the winners was Josselyn Obregon, a Spanish reporter for the Foghorn News, who placed in several Spanish-related competitions.
“You just want everyone to do great because not only are they your co-workers but they are your friends,” said Foghorn Editor-and-Chief Mark Young. “For some of them, this is what they want to do with their lives, so it’s nice to see that they are making headway on that.”
Young won the first place award for General News Story.
Publications Assistant Scott Beckett, who works with the Foghorn students in the journalism lab, was also recognized at the conference, being named Adviser of the Year.
“To be able to work with the next generation of journalists, to see the passion they bring to every story, is exciting. It’s the same feeling that I try to bring to work every day,” Beckett said.
