FORT WORTH, Texas — Two Tarrant County College student-led publications — The Collegian, the College’s newspaper, and Roots & Reflections, the literary and arts magazine from TCC Trinity River — won multiple awards at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association convention, April 11-13 in San Marcos.
Roots & Reflections won 12 TIPA awards, including first place for overall excellence and another first for overall design. One judge praised what she called a beautiful and thoughtful presentation.
English Professor Jerrica Jordan, the publication’s co-adviser, said that to receive so many recognitions, especially two first places in writing, was amazing. The publication’s other co-adviser, art Professor Janae Corrado, said the results energized her.
“It’s one thing to get your art published in a campus magazine,” she said, “but to have your designs beat schools across the state is exhilarating for the Roots & Reflections staff and for us as their mentors!”
The Collegian collected 32 honors, including Best Newspaper in its division. Outgoing editor-in-chief Hope Smith was named Two-Year Reporter of the Year while incoming editor-in-chief Fousia Abdullahi was the sole winner of a statewide scholarship for community college media students.
Smith said she couldn’t be prouder of the student journalists she worked alongside and of their receiving so many accolades. The Collegian also was a finalist in four categories in the regional Society of Professional Journalists competition, including Best All-Around Student Newspaper.
Student Publications Director Chris Whitley said the recognition was gratifying, considering how hard the staff members work week in and week out to inform the TCC community.
“The students on The Collegian staff are creative, passionate, curious, energetic people,” he said, “and I am proud to be in their company.”
Roots & Reflections TIPA Awards
1st place, Overall Excellence for Magazines (all divisions)
1st place, Overall Design for Literary Magazines (all divisions)
1st place, Designer of the Year for Two-Year Schools: Alejandro Rivera
1st place, Literary Writing: Jenna-Anisa Gonzalez, “Beautiful Night Drifting Amongst the Stars”
1st place, Feature Writing: Alexandria Lopez, “Behind Closed Doors”
2nd place, Magazine Story Package Design: Mary Maturo
2nd place, Illustration: Giselle Raya, “Self-Portrait”
2nd place, Feature Photo: Lisbeth Villalpando, “Castello in el Cielo”
3rd place, Literary Writing: Dominic Mangiocco, “Under the Water Tower”
3rd place, Literary Magazine Cover Design: Alejandro Rivera and Lisbeth Villalpando
Honorable Mention, Environmental Portrait: Thien Nguyen, “Rome in Fog”
Honorable Mention, Photo Illustration: Alejandro Rivera, “Redemption”
The Collegian TIPA Awards
1st place, Overall Excellence, Newspaper
1st place, Best in Show, Newspaper
1st place, Two-Year Reporter of the Year: Hope Smith
1st place, General News: Alex Hoben
1st place, Breaking News: Hope Smith
1st place, In-Depth Reporting: Hope Smith
1st place, Headline Writing: Alex Hoben, Hope Smith, Dominick Martinez
1st place, Breaking News Photo: Joel Solis
1st place, Feature Photo: Alex Hoben
1st place, Photo Illustration: Alex Hoben
1st place, Static Information Graphic: Dominick Martinez
1st place, Feature Page Design: Hannah Seese
1st place, Live contest – Editorial Cartoon: TJ Favela
1st place, Live contest – Two-Person Photo Essay: Alex Hoben, Dominick Martinez
2nd place, In-Depth Reporting: Alex Hoben
2nd place, Multimedia Slideshow: Alex Hoben
2nd place, Editorial Cartoon: TJ Favela
2nd place, Illustration: Markus Meneses
2nd place, Opinion Page Design: Alex Hoben
3rd place, Overall Excellence, Website
3rd place, Overall Design, Website
3rd place, Multimedia Slideshow: Alex Hoben
3rd place, General News Photo: Alex Hoben
3rd place, Feature Photo: Alex Hoben
3rd place, Environmental Portrait: Alex Hoben
3rd place, Feature Page Design: Hannah Seese
Honorable Mention, Overall Design, Newspaper
Honorable Mention, General Column: Nina Banks
Honorable Mention, Critical Review: Xavier Boatner
Honorable Mention, Illustration: Markus Meneses
Honorable Mention, Live contest – Sports Action Photo: Alex Hoben
Fousia Abdullahi, Fred Stewart Community College Scholarship, $2,000
Regional Society of Professional Journalists Honors
Finalist, Best All-Around Student Newspaper
Finalist, Best Affiliated Website
Finalist, General News Photography: Alex Hoben
Finalist, Illustration: Markus Meneses
2023_Final Full Draft.indd – Roots_Reflection_2023.pdf (exlibrisgroup.com)
The Collegian – Tarrant County College (tccd.edu)
Tarrant County College is one of the nation’s largest higher education institutions and boasts the second-lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. A comprehensive two-year college with six campuses in Tarrant County and online classes, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees; workforce and economic development programs; technical and skilled trades programs; and customized training for area businesses and corporations.