By Timothy Guy
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By Timothy Guy
Viewpoints ended the month of October on a high note.
Riverside Community College’s student newspaper rounded out the last days of October with winning the highest national award possible for college newspapers, 17 regional Journalism Association of Community Colleges’ awards and a participating in a series of journalism competitions and workshops.
The Associated Collegiate Press announced on Oct. 29 the results of its national newspaper Pacemaker Award contest and RCC’s Viewpoints was selected as one of the best college newspapers in the country.
This is the second consecutive Pacemaker award that Viewpoints has won in the last 45 years of the award’s history, which Viewpoints faculty adviser Allan Lovelace says is because of the students’ commitment to public service.
“When students want to produce a newspaper that has an impact, the work they do ends up being recognized for its excellence with awards,” Lovelace said.
Three complete issues of Viewpoints were judged on content, quality of writing, design, leadership, photography and art and graphics.
The March 24 issue was selected with such stories as “Publishers get schooled,” “Apathy or Laziness” and “Mt. Rubidoux easy getaway.”
The April 28 issue was chosen with the stories “Professor caught up in scandal,” “Playoff hopes shattered” and “RCC Drum line snares gold.”May 26 was also sent in with the stories “Candidates selected,” “Unique desire amidst big haired dreams” and “Discrimination pervades RCC.”
RCC shared the Pacemaker honor with 24 other colleges including Pepperdine, Northwestern and John Hopkins University.
Viewpoints staff members attended the annual JACC Southern California conference held on the campus of CSU Fullerton from Oct. 28-29.
Students competed in on-the spot competitions set up by JACC.
Photographer Mike Lewis was involved in the sports, features and news photo contests.
“It was exciting to compete with all of those other colleges in those different events,” Lewis said.
Lewis received an honorable mention for his news photo of the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics, which were also being held at CSU Fullerton.
Graphic artist Joshua Duran also competed in an on-the spot contest, front page design, coming away with the first place award.
Various workshops were held at the event for students in areas of writing, advertising, photography and broadcast news.
Viewpoints managing editor Monique Larkin attended the workshop “Writing the way people speak” by investigative reporter Don Ray.
“It was very informative, I learned a lot,” Larkin said.
Overall, Viewpoints’ students earned a total of 17 awards in news and opinion writing, photography and design.
Viewpoints faculty adviser Dan Evans thinks it’s great for the quality of the newspaper to be acknowledged.
“It’s always great to be recognized for the quality of the students’ work,” Evans said. “I think the students take great pride in the quality of the work they produce for Viewpoints and the outside judges just confirmed that.”
For a complete rundown of the awards and the entries that won log on to www.viewpointsonline.org.
