TST staff brings home 39 awards
The clock was ticking as students raced to turn in videos, pictures and stories live at Texas Intercollegiate Press Association’s (TIPA) annual convention.
The convention, held in Fort Worth, had live contest events for students to compete in, including our very own The South Texan staff. The event also included the announcement of winners in pre-published contests from works in 2022. In total, The South Texan brought home 39 awards, a reported record for the student journalism program.
The South Texan staff competed individually in several live contests, but also competed together in the first live multimedia contest hosted by TIPA, in which the team placed first overall.
“To say that I am proud to serve as the faculty adviser for this group of talented student journalists is an understatement. They rise to each challenge placed before them. They take their role very seriously, and they have proven time and time again they are not only strong journalists, but are creative as well,” Media Adviser for The South Texan, KTAI 91.1FM and Javelina Broadcast Network Nicole Morris said. “What’s even more impressive is that in many contest categories for the pre-published contest, all of the staff’s entries placed.”
Morris was also voted the new president of TIPA for a two-year term.
Throughout the convention students also attended workshops on topics ranging from finding stories to using Photoshop.
“The student journalists of The South Texan give their time, skills and creativity each week to tell the stories of Javelina Nation. I’m proud of the work they do every day, but having their work be recognized statewide gives them confidence that they are on the right track. I know they will continue to thrive here, and in their careers,” Aryssa Enriquez, assistant general manager of student media said.
Overall, The South Texan brought home 13 first place awards from the live and pre-published contests.
“Placing in the competition period was a goal I had in mind when we arrived at TIPA, but placing four times and bringing back a first place was surprising, but it’s what I came to do. So, I was definitely happy more than anything when it came down to my result,” Opinion Editor and former Sports Editor for The South Texan Dylan Sanchez said.
Sanchez also attended TIPA last year and said his favorite part of the convention is competing.
New to TIPA convention was Jessica Tijerina.
Tijerina started taking pictures for The South Texan in Spring 2022, and placed second in the Live News Photo contest.
“I was very nervous at first but after talking to some of the other students and getting encouragement from my friends I felt so much better. It was so nice being in my element and capturing some great moments,” Tijerina said.
Tijerina was proud of the work she did and was excited to share the news with her parents.
In the live contents students compete against student journalists from all over Texas regardless of university size.
“I’m so grateful to have this experience,” Editor-in-Chief Ronni Reyna said. “Each year I’ve been a part of The South Texan we’ve broken personal records, and got more awards than the previous year. I’m so proud of our editors and students, they work so hard and it’s a privilege to see that hard work pay off.”
The next TIPA will be held in San Marcos at which the staff plans to once again bring home more awards than the previous year.
The South Texan’s first place awards included:
-Live Contest* Multimedia – Ronni Reyna, Erik Estrada, Melissa Mata, Emeri Drewry, Jessica Tijerina
Advertising/ PSA Promo – Makaylah Chavez & Adan Botello
Feature Story – Makaylah Chavez
General News Video Story –The South Texan Staff
Headline Writing – The South Texan Staff
Newscast Video – Rae Martinez, Emeri Drewry, Erik Estrada & Ronni Reyna
Multimedia Feature – Emeri Drewry, Erik Estrada, Ronni Reyna & Rae Martinez
General News – Ronni Reyna
Feature Reporting Video – Erik Estrada, Melissa Mata & Domonic Valdez
Multimedia Sports Story – Chris Olivarez, Rae Martinez, Erik Estrada & Jessica Tijerina
Sports Reporting Video – Erik Estrada, Rae Martinez & Chris Olivarez
-General News Audio Story – Emeri Drewry & Nadya Garcia
-Podcast – Dylan Sanchez
Second Place
*Live Contest* News Photo – Jessica Tijerina
Advertising/ PSA Promo Audio – Makaylah Chavez
General Column-Makaylah Chavez
Overall Design Web – The South Texan
General News Photo – Ronni Reyna
General News Video – Erik Estrada, Rae Martinez, Chris Olivarez
Feature Reporting Video – Haseeb Javaid, Emeri Drewry & Erik Estrada
Program Production Audio – Emeri Drewry & Nadya Garcia
Third Place
Social Media Breaking News – Makaylah Chavez
General News Multimedia – The South Texan Staff
Editorial – The South Texan Staff
Feature Photo – Ronni Reyna
Advertising/PSA Promo – Rae Martinez & Erik Estrada
Breaking News – Sarah Reyna
General News – Rae Martinez
Sports Game Story – Dylan Sanchez
Feature Story – Makaylah Chavez
Honorable Mention
* Live Contest* Radio Announcing – Dylan Sanchez
General News Multimedia Story – The South Texan staff
General News Audio Story – Erik Estrada & Emeri Drewry
Op/Ed Design -T he South Texan Staff
Overall Design Newspaper – The South Texan Staff
Podcast – Dylan Sanchez
Feature Photo – Jessica Tijerina
Website – The South Texan Staff
Overall Newspaper – The South Texan Staff
