Three professional journalism associations recognized The Oak Leaf with four national awards, including first place for Best Two-Year College Media Outlet of the Year at the College Media Association Pinnacle awards, and 29 Northern California regional awards for articles and photos covering topics, such as Covid-19 vaccinations, sports and student life.
The College Media Association presented Pinnacle Awards and the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) gave out Best of Show awards at MediaFest 22, the Fall National College Media Awards convention in Washington D.C. The Oak Leaf won two Pinnacle awards and two ACP Best of Show awards.
The Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC) awarded The Oak Leaf multiple first-place and general excellence awards for work published during Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters, as well as on-the-spot contest wins in the NorCal conference Fall 2022 at Las Positas College in Livermore Oct. 22.
“I’m really proud of this team that prevailed through the pandemic and then returned to campus and continued to turn out award-winning journalism,” said Oak Leaf Adviser Anne Belden.
First-year journalism student Peter Morales nearly fell on the floor when he heard his name announced for fourth place in the Copy Editing contest. “I finally achieved something in my life,” Morales said.
Oak Leaf veteran Nick Vides shone among student journalists at the convention, winning six awards, including first places for an environmental portrait and on-the-spot feature photo.
“These awards show how great the program is,” Vides said. “I can’t thank Anne Belden and Brian Antonson enough for all the help they’ve given me.”
Combined with Spring Awards, the Oak Leaf won a total of 61 awards in 2022.
College Media Association (national)
Two-Year Best College Media Outlet of the Year, 1st: The Oak Leaf News, Santa Rosa Junior College
Two-Year Website of the Year, Honorable Mention: The Oak Leaf News, Santa Rosa Junior College
Associated Collegiate Press (national) Best of Show Awards
Two-year Magazine, 4th Place: The Oak Leaf Magazine
Website, two-year campus, 7th Place: The Oak Leaf News
The Journalism Association of Community Colleges (NorCal regional)
On-the-spot-awards
Opinion writing, 2nd: Christian Vieyra
Opinion Writing, 4th: Michael Combs
Copy Editing, 2nd: Sean Young
Copy Editing, 4th: Peter Morales
News Writing, 2nd: Sean Young
Social Media, 3rd: Sean Young, Michael Combs, Stephan Howe, Tony Moeckel, Christian Vieyra, Hana Seals, Jaden Burris, Jessica Camberos, Sam Guzman, Nick Vides
Feature Photo, 1st: Nick Vides
Feature Photo, 3rd: Hana Seals
Publication Awards
Online General Excellence: The Oak Leaf, Santa Rosa Junior College
Critical Review, Honorable Mention: Aryk Copley
Editorial, 4th: Oak Leaf Staff
Enterprise News Story/Series, Meritorious: Michael Combs, James Domizio, Alex Fuller and The Oak Leaf Staff
Environmental Portrait, 1st: Nick Vides
Environmental Portrait, 2nd: Aryk Copley
Feature Photo, 1st: Nick Vides
Feature Story, 2nd: Nick Vides
Feature Story, Honorable Mention: Michael Combs
Illustration, 4th: Alex Fuller
News Photo, 3rd: Nick Vides
Online Photo Story/Essay, 2nd: Garret Ashton
Online Photo Story/Essay, 3rd: Ava Domenichelli, Aryk Copley
Opinion Story, 3rd: Noah McSweeney (guest writer)
Profile Feature Story, 2nd: Sean Young
Sports Action Photo, 2nd: Nick Vides
Sports Feature Photo, 2nd: Christian Vieyra (photo #3 in gallery)
Sports Feature Photo, 4th: Christian Vieyra (top photo)
Student Designed Advertisement, 4th: Cass Stewart
Student Designed Advertisement, Honorable Mention: Cass Stewart
Webcast/Broadcast News, 1st: Lauren Spates
