El Camino College's student journalism publications continued a tradition of excellence after bringing home several awards this year. Five ECC journalism students from student newspaper The Union were honored in the California Newspaper Publishers Association's annual Better Newspapers Contest May 18-20. Sports editor Eric Ramos was awarded first place for Best Sports Game Story, while Alain Miranda received a first in the Feature Photo category. Other staff members who were honored include Jackie Romano, second place for best Sports Action Photo; Editor-in-Chief Phil Sidavong, honorable mention for Column Writing; and Elijah Hicks, honorable mention for Feature Photo.
In addition, The Union was named a finalist for Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper in a regional Mark of Excellence Award competition in April, sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists. The conference recognizes the best collegiate journalism at both regional and national levels each year. ECC students also secured honors: Editor-in-Chief Phil Sidavong was honored for an online story and students Elijah Hicks and Eugene Chang were named finalists for their editorial cartoons.
The spring 2016 edition of student magazine Warrior Life, edited by Sydnie Mills, took home a general excellence award at the California Journalism Association of Community Colleges convention this past March. Union newspaper writer Estrella Ramos also earned an honorable mention for a feature story.
Stefanie Frith, who is the faculty adviser for The Union and Warrior Life, and Kate McLaughlin are the faculty members in journalism. Gary Kohatsu is the photo adviser and Jack Mulkey is the advertising manager.