Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the convention took place virtually. This first-ever virtual convention included a full day of interactive workshops for students from across Texas, organized by Maddisun Fowler, AC student media coordinator.
AC’s 36 prizes reflected work published during 2020, including 11 first-place prizes, 8 second-place prizes, 7 third-place prizes and 10 honorable mentions.
Judging was carried out by working news professionals and reflected a statewide competition between both two- and four- year public and private colleges and universities across Texas. In addition to awards for news coverage published in print and online, students received prizes for podcasting, video and audio news, photography, and advertising and magazine design.
In awarding the first prize for overall excellence in newspaper, the judge wrote, “This is an awesome student newspaper. It reads well, it's laid out well, it's pleasing to the eye. I'm really impressed. Wow!”
“The students’ performance in these contests validates that they are learning the skills needed to succeed in mass media, communication and journalism careers,” said Jill Gibson, Matney Mass Media Program coordinator and chair of media, arts and communication at AC.
“Because of the pandemic, this past year has been immensely challenging and I am extremely proud of how well our students performed in the contests despite working remotely for more than half of the year,” Gibson said.
The Texas Intercollegiate Press Association is the oldest state collegiate journalism association in the nation. The group’s members include more than 60 Texas colleges and universities, two-year and four-year; private and public. Since its formation in 1909, TIPA has grown into one of the largest and most respected collegiate groups in the country.
Along with Gibson, AC student media advisers include Maddisun Fowler, Amy Presley and Derek Weathersbee. AC’s complete list of awards is as follows:
Breaking News
Place Name: First Place
Entry Title: AC loses first employee to COVID-19
Entry Credit: Caylee Hanna
Breaking News
Place Name: Second Place
Entry Title: Palace grinding to a halt
Entry Credit: Lauren Ebben
Cover Design - General Magazine
Place Name: Third Place
Entry Credit: Jenna Gibson
Critical Review
Place Name: First Place
Entry Title: The sequel no one asked for
Entry Credit: Shawn McCrea
Critical Review
Place Name: Third Place
Entry Title: SpongeBob
Entry Credit: Sidney West
Editorial
Place Name: First Place
Entry Title: Students say thanks
Entry Credit: Joey Pantoja
Editorial
Place Name: Honorable Mention
Entry Title: Replacement should meet needs
Entry Credit: Lauren Ebben
Editorial Cartoon
Place Name: First Place
Entry Title: Diversity
Entry Credit: Daniar Onoz
Environmental Portrait (Division 3)
Place Name: Second Place
Entry Title: Piano Man
Entry Credit: Shawn McCrea
Environmental Portrait
Place Name: Third Place
Entry Title: Greenhouse
Entry Credit: Bridget Ulloa
Feature page spread newspaper
Place Name: Second Place
Entry Title: Student Travel
Entry Credit: Brittnee Talley
Feature photo
Place Name: Third Place
Entry Title: Underground
Entry Credit: Johnny Lawhon
Feature Reporting Audio
Place Name: Honorable Mention
Entry Title: Jazz
Entry Credit: Kaden Bryant
General Column
Place Name: First Place
Entry Title: Editor weathers storm(ie)
Entry Credit: Stormie Sanchez
General News Print
Place Name: First Place
Entry Title: Classes behind bars
Entry Credit: Stormie Sanchez
General News Print
Place Name: Honorable Mention
Entry Title: Code Academy
Entry Credit: Stormie Sanchez
General News Audio Story
Place Name: First Place
Entry Title: Palace Closing
Entry Credit: Lauren Ebben
General News Audio Story
Place Name: Honorable Mention
Entry Title: Coronavirus
Entry Credit: Ruth Martinez
General News Photo
Place Name: Second Place
Entry Title: Nursing
Entry Credit: Shawn McCrea
General News Video Story
Place Name: Third Place
Entry Title: Mental Health
Entry Credit: CJ Scott
General News Video Story
Place Name: Honorable Mention
Entry Title: Economy
Entry Credit: Lauren Ebben
Headline Writing
Place Name: Honorable Mention
Entry Title: Ranger Headlines
Entry Credit: Ranger Staff
Newscast Audio
Place Name: Third Place
Entry Title: AC Report Feb 19
Newcast Audio
Place Name: Honorable Mention
Entry Title: AC Report Feb 12
Newspaper
Place Name: First Place
Entry Title: The Ranger
Entry Credit: Ranger Staff
Op ed Editorial Design
Place Name: First Place
Entry Title: Athletics
Entry Credit: Joey Pantoja
Op-ed Editorial Design
Place Name: Second Place
Entry Title: Diversity Issue
Entry Credit: Emily Reeves
Overall Design Magazine
Place Name: Second Place
Entry Title: The Current Summer 2020
Entry Credit: Jenna Gibson, Lauren Ebben
Overall design newspaper
Place Name: Honorable Mention
Entry Title: Vol 90 Issue 8 Feb 20 2020
Entry Credit: Ranger Staff
Overall Excellence General Magazine
Place Name: Second Place
Entry Title: The Current Summer 2020
Entry Credit: Jenna Gibson, Lauren Ebben
Photo illustration
Place Name: Honorable Mention
Entry Title: Health Hub App
Entry Credit: Shawn McCrea
Podcast
Place Name: First Place
Entry Title: Ranger Rambling Jay Kelley Pinkerton
Entry Credit: Caylee Hanna, Jessika Fulton
Podcast
Place Name: Second Place
Entry Title: Ranger Rambling Spooky Edition
Entry Credit: Caylee Hanna, Jessika Fulton
Special Edition Design – Print
Place Name: Honorable Mention
Entry Title: Fall 2020
Entry Credit: staff
Cartoon strip
Place Name: Third Place
Entry Title: Voting
Entry Credit: Daniar Onoz
Static Ad Design
Place Name: First Place
Entry Title: Ranger Ramblings
Entry Credit: Shawn McCrea