LAVC Students, The Valley Star & Crown Magazine Win State Journalism Awards

LAVC is the only Southern California college to earn the top award in every category at the Journalism Association of California Community Colleges statewide conference

VALLEY GLEN, CA-The Journalism Association of California Community Colleges (JACC) recognized nine LAVC student journalists for excellence in Journalism, and honored The Valley Star student newspaper, Crown Magazine, and thevalleystarnews.com with General Excellence-the highest award-at its statewide conference on March 7 in San Franscisco.

LAVC is one of only two community colleges in the state (alongside City College of San Francisco) to take the top award in every publication category. There were more than 21 colleges in attendance.

"Congratulations to the staff of The Valley Star, Crown Magazine, and Valley Star website on being the only Southern California college to earn General Excellence in all three categories," said Dr. Barry Gribbons, president of Los Angeles Valley College. "These accolades speak to a strong tradition of journalistic excellence at Valley College that is cultivated by our Journalism faculty, led by Professors William Dauber and Brian Paumier."

The Valley Star and Crownstaff earned 11 awards, including first place in magazine photography and environmental portraiture. The Crown also took first place for a photo story essay, and second place in magazine profile, along with other photography, writing, and illustration honors.

The following student journalists earned awards at the competition:

• Astrid Cortez - First Place, Magazine Photo & Honorable Mention, Photo Illustration
• Astrid Cortez & Victoria Saxxon - Honorable Mention, Magazine Photo Story-Essay
• Alex Diaz, Astrid Cortez & Taylor Cowhey - First place, Magazine Photo Story-Essay
• Kaia Mann & Jeremy Ruiz - Second Place, Magazine Profile Article
• Milan Rafaelov & Astrid Cortez - Third Place, Magazine Opinion Article
• Anita Bell - First Place, Environmental Portrait
• Alejandro Rafael - Honorable Mention, Photo Story-Essay

The JACC supports journalism departments at two-year community colleges and their students. The association's State Publication Awards, which were given out at the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) Spring National Media Conference, is a competition that provides an opportunity for community college student journalists across the state to have their work evaluated by professionals in the field.

The Journalism Program at LA Valley College offers a wide range of classes that prepare students to earn an associate's degree for transfer, associate's degree and certificate of achievements. The program also is home to the award-winning student-run newspaper, The Valley Star, and student-run magazine, Crown Magazine. For more information, visit LAVC Journalism.