Mass media students capture 36 awards at annual state convention

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, TIPAhas 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