By Daniel Sanchez
Assistant Adviser, The Eagle
The Northeast Texas Community College Eagle staff recently attended the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association convention in Corpus Christi and brought home 25 awards including Overall Excellence in Division 5 and third place in Best of Show in Division 3.
This year students competed in individual on-site contests and participated in workshops on various journalism topics.
Elisabeth Lively, Eaglelayout and design editor, earned a first place award for newspaper design in the on-site contest. The rules require students to participate in real-life scenarios and complete assignments based on deadlines.
“In the last 18 years, I have taken interest in many hobbies, but I never seemed to excel in any of those areas,” Lively said, “When I showed up to that first staff meeting last semester, I had no idea I would go on to win first place in layout and design at a statewide competition.”
“This win showed me that I have actual talent,” Lively added. “TIPA bolstered my resume.”
Fred Stewart, TIPA executive director, said the organization focuses on providing students extended training by giving them the opportunity to interact with working professionals from around the state and parts of the nation. TIPA also connects students with individuals and organizations that may provide potential internships or job opportunities.
“At a time when the media is under such scrutiny and facing such immense challenges,” Stewart said, “TIPA is trying to help by bringing student media operations across the state together to help provide opportunities to future journalists to improve their skills and reach their career goals."
Stewart said the TIPA conference also offers faculty advisers the opportunity to come together, interact with each other and share ideas to plan for the future while keeping their students' best interests in mind.
Mandy Smith, Eagle adviser,said the contests and workshops offer students a look into the real world of working journalism.
“I always love talking to students right after they compete in their first live TIPA contest,” Smith said. “They're both freaked out and excited from the adrenaline rush that comes with covering and writing a story in a couple of hours or laying out a whole newspaper page in 90 minutes.”
Smith said it is always special to attend the annual conference with a new group of students.
“I love watching each of them come away with their own TIPA memories and experiencing that one special moment when they suddenly realize that they’re actually working journalists,” Smith said.
This year’s participants in the live-on site contest were Lively, Tahj McRae, Emma Yeager and Joelle Weatherford.
Debbie Strong, associate professor of art and education, also attended the TIPA convention as an adviser. Strong said she is in awe of the students “expertise and commitment to the journalism profession.”
“Each student demonstrated an exemplary dedication to learning and competing,” Strong said. “Their many awards prove it.”
The Eagle staff also competed in the previously published contest. The entries are evaluated and judged by professional journalists from across the nation.Entries in the contest consist of material that was previously printed, published online or broadcasted.
The Eaglewon 23 awards in the previously published contest including Overall Excellence in Division 5 in the newspaper category. The staff also took home first place awards for overall design and front page design. In the Open Division category NTCC's literary magazine, Lagniappe, was awarded third place in Overall Excellence and second place for ItaiiLuna’s cover design.
“This group of students have developed into a really strong staff over the past few months,” Smith said. “We were so excited to win the overall excellence award for the second year in a row. These students have worked so hard and bringing home 25 awards is the result of that commitment.”
Established in 1909, TIPA is the oldest state collegiate press association and has become one of the largest and most respected collegiate organizations in the country. To learn more about the organization visit texasipa.org
For a complete list of awards and winners please visit the Eagle’s website at ntcceagleonline.com.
On-site Contest (2)
Newspaper Design - Elisabeth Lively, 1st place
Best of Show Division 3 - Eagle Staff, 3rd place
Previously Published/Broadcast Contest
First Place (8)
Overall Excellence Newspaper - Eagle Staff
Overall Design Newspaper - Eagle Staff
Cover Design Newspaper - Eagle Staff
Op/Ed Page Design - Nubia Sanchez
Sports Action Photo - Elisabeth Lively
Ad Design Static - Isaias Martinez
Editorial Cartoon - Elisabeth Sammel
General News - Elisabeth Lively
Second Place (6)
Open Division Cover Design, Literary Magazine - Itaii Luna
Ad Design Static - Isaias Martinez
Headline Writing - Eagle Staff
Special Edition Design Print - Emma Wolfe
Sports Game Story - Elisabeth Lively
Sports Page Design - Elisabeth Lively
Third Place (8)
Open Division Overall Excellence, Literary Magazine - Lagniappe Staff
Open Division Overall Design, Literary Magazine - Lagniappe Staff
Overall Design, Website - Eagle Staff
Critical Review - Jessica Drumm
Feature Page Design - Isaias Martinez
In-Depth Reporting - Daniel Yanez
Photo Story - Nubia Sanchez
Sports Action Photo - Tahj McRae
Honorable Mention (1)
Website Division 3 Overall Excellence - Eagle Staff
