Continuing their award-winning spell after the National College Media Convention in Austin, Texas, The Advocate staff bagged 33 awards at the Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC) NorCal Conference held at San Jose State on Nov. 7.
The conference is a one-day event normally held at the university each fall semester.
Twenty-five students, along with journalism department Chairman Paul DeBolt, attended the conference, participating in competitions and attending workshops covering many aspects of journalism. Among the awards presented to The Advocate was General Excellence Newspaper, Online Journalism General Excellence and the Enterprise Story/Series award.
“(Winning awards) is great, but we don’t work hard to win awards,” current Editor-in-Chief Holly Pablo said. “Our main goal is to deliver the news, inform and educate the campus and people in the community.”
Pablo won first place in the News Story on-the-spot competition. She said she was surprised to win after only being on staff for one year and competing last year and not placing.
Competitions at the conference included mail-in, bring-in, and on-the-spot, which were all based on students’ writing, photography, illustrating, design and editing skills.
“You don’t put out a paper to win awards, but it’s nice to see that happen. It shows something about the staff,” DeBolt said.
He said this semester was a transition semester for the publication, meaning several old staff members transferred and new students arrived in their place.
“It’s been kind of fun to see the new people learn the skills,” DeBolt said. “There are a lot of talented people on staff.”
The staff won 10 first place awards, 10 second place, five third place, one fourth place and three honorable mentions, in addition to four general excellent awards.
First-semester staff writer Malcolm Lastra said he learned a lot at the convention.
“The conference was very informative,” he said. “I went to the sports workshops, and I plan to use some of those skills.”
Scene Editor Brent Bainto said competing in the on-the-spot competitions was a learning experience in itself.
“Even though some of us didn’t place, it was beneficial by testing our skills and seeing how they measure up,” Bainto said.
He said these conferences are important for people serious about being a journalist, whether it be for a job or on a college newspaper.
2008-09 Editor-in-Chief Justin Morrison came along with the staff and took home seven of the awards.
“It’s good to know that after I leave the legacy of the Advocate will continue,” Morrison said. “It creates a program that allows students to continue to do well year after year.”
DeBolt said that overall, the conference was just a fun day.
“We got to hang out together outside of the newsroom. It was enjoyable to get to know the people,” he said.
Contact Alexandra Waite at awaite.advocate@gmail.com
Staff continues winning tradition
Conference builds abilities, bonds
Published: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Updated: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
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