Amarillo College Student Media Earns 36 Awards at Statewide TIPA Convention
Amarillo College Student Media earned 36 awards at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) convention, held March 19–21 in Denton, continuing a strong tradition of excellence in collegiate journalism.
In total, AC Student Media received two Overall Excellence awards, 13 first-place awards, nine second-place awards, nine third-place awards and five honorable mentions.
In addition to the program’s success, mass media major Austin Pounds was elected student president of TIPA for the 2026–27 academic year.
“TIPA is important in a way that’s hard to describe,” Pounds said. “Obviously, you’re getting to network with important professionals in your field, and you’re able to put those skills to work during competition, but I think the most important part of TIPA is meeting like-minded individuals and young professionals. Surrounding yourself with motivated young people makes the audacity of attempting to become a journalist much less daunting.”
Student Media staff members Catie Brownlee, Christina Flores and Seth Garner also attended the convention during Spring Break, accompanied by advisers Maddisun Fowler, AC Mass Media program coordinator and instructor, and Brian Frank, AC instructor of mass communication.
For Student Media adviser John Brixen, AC Graphic Design program coordinator and instructor, the opportunity for students to compete at TIPA is invaluable.
“Conferences like TIPA allow our students to compete against colleges across the state of Texas and challenge their merit in producing award-winning entries,” Brixen said.
Frank noted that the convention provides a boost for both students and faculty.
“They make connections with peers and leave with a renewed passion for journalism and media creation,” he said. “It has the same effect on advisers and recharges us as well.”
Fowler said she was especially proud of the students who dedicated much of their Spring Break to attend.
“I always tell my students it’s not about the awards they bring home, but the skills and experiences they gain along the way,” Fowler said. “They’re producing incredible work and competing with schools from all over Texas, so these awards reflect the hard work and dedication they put in the newsroom every day.”
The experience also proved transformative for students.
“Going to TIPA answered that question and gave me more inspiration than ever,” said Garner, who graduates in May. “I got to talk to professionals and ask them the scary questions I have been thinking about my future.”
Brownlee emphasized the importance of networking.
“The power of ‘one more’ is everything in the communication and media industry,” she said. “One more relationship, one more interview and one more source can take you much further than you might think.”
Flores said the competition pushed her to grow as a journalist.
“TIPA pushed me to write faster than I am used to while trusting my instincts,” she said. “It taught me how to work smarter and more diligently while chasing a story.”
TIPA, founded in 1909, is the oldest state collegiate journalism association in the nation and includes more than 60 colleges and universities. The annual convention features live contests, awards for previously published work, professional workshops and a career fair.
AC Student Media will travel to San Antonio this fall for the Texas Community College Journalism Association convention and return to Denton for TIPA in April 2027.
Awards Summary
Overall Excellence
• First Place: Magazine – The Current
• Second Place: Newspaper – The Ranger
First Place (13)
• Illustration — William Nies
• Photo Illustration — William Nies
• Static Information Graphic — Valerie Salas
• Newspaper Cover Design — Valerie Salas
• Newspaper Feature Page Design — Mariah Mendoza
• Static Ad Design — Evan Banner
• Interactive Ad Design — Evan Banner
• Audio Promo — Evan Banner
• Video Program Production — Evan Banner, Jackson Parrack, Marcos Ramos
• Audio Newscast — Ian Coleman, Michael Whitaker
• Podcast — Foster Conner
• Headline Writing — Ranger Staff
• General News Video Story — Aaron Glaesman
Second Place (9)
• Editorial Cartoon — Mariah Mendoza
• Newspaper Feature Page Design — Mariah Mendoza
• Newspaper Sports Page Design — Foster Conner
• Video Advertising/PSA/Promo — Evan Banner
• Video Program Production — Jackson Street Presents Crew
• Video Feature Reporting — Seth Garner
• Breaking News — Foster Conner
Third Place (9)
• Cartoon Strip/Panel — Mariah Mendoza
• Photo Illustration — Shiloh Villegas
• General News Audio Story — Foster Conner
• Newspaper Sports Page Design — Foster Conner
• Video Advertising/PSA/Promo — Evan Banner
• Web Overall Design — Angelina Syribouth, Karissa Chittavong
• Environmental Portrait — Foster Conner
• Podcast — Foster Conner
• General News Audio Story — Foster Conner
Honorable Mentions (5)
• Interactive Ad Design — Bentlee Phipps
• Newspaper Cover Design — Mia Flores
• In-Depth Reporting — Valerie Salas, Foster Conner, Angelina Syribouth, Mariah Mendoza
• Audio Advertising/PSA/Promo — Evan Banner
• Breaking News — Foster Conner