By: Sherry Sokolowski
Every year, the Michigan Community College Press Association hosts a competition and conference for community college student journalists. Typically, there are more than 30 different categories, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was condensed down. This year experienced journalists with years under their belts determined the winners for 12 different awards.
Out of the 12 categories, The Collegiate took home eight first place awards, one third place, and two honorable mentions. The Collegiate staff won the first place award for Best News Website for the third consecutive year.
“The Collegiate’s staff posts more articles than the other websites, which really made them stand out from the competition,” commented a contest judge. “Along with having fresh content, the layout is visually appealing and draws you in.”
The individual awards won by Collegiate staff include:
Editorial Writing: First Place – We Need a Heads Up by Breegan Petruska
Third Place – The Case for Concurrent Classrooms by Annah Johnson
Feature Writing: First Place – How A Self-Destructive Past Let To The Bet Of A Lifetime by Sean Chase
In-Depth Enterprise Reporting – Tied for First Place: Virtual Proctoring: The Lockdown Browser by Breegan Petruska
Headline Writing: First Place: How Chasing Dogs, High Kicks and a Busted Toilet Helped Me Lose 50 Pounds During the COVID-19 Pandemic by Jamie Miller
Serious & Humorous Column: First Place – Thoughts on Capital Hill by Sean Chase
Photo Essay: First Place: https://thecollegiatelive.com/2020/06/police-chief-sheriff-officers-kneel-beside-impassioned-protestors-in-grand-rapids/ by staff photographers.
News & Feature Photo: First Place entry taken by Sabrina Edwards
Honorable Mention – https://thecollegiatelive.com/2021/01/world-of-winter-2021/ by Breegan Petruska
All of the winning entries and the judge’s comments can be found on the MCCPA website.
