6 Features

Philip Perez- sotexmedia@gmail.com

The South Texan staff competes against hundreds of student journalists from Texas colleges and universities
By Amber Aldaco
CORPUS CHRISTI - Swarms of young people populated the shoreline of Corpus Christi this weekend, armed with Apples and Canons. No, not the Civil War era artillery or fruit, but the popular technology brands. Last weekend, the city of Corpus Christi played host to the annual Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA). TIPA is the oldest collegiate press association in the nation, and has grown into one of the largest and most respected collegiate groups in the country. Starting in 1909 at Baylor University, TIPA holds competitions and clinics, and gives awards and scholarships to journalism students from all over the state. Competitions include Previously Published/ Broadcast Contest, which can be submitted during the fall and spring semesters, with categories such as Newspaper, Yearbook, Radio, Television and Online. On-Site competitions include categories like Two-person Photo Essay, Public Relations Release Writing, Television Anchoring, Editorial Writing, Editorial Cartoon, and much more. The South Texan staff attended the 3-day event, going to clinics to improve on skills such as Feature Writing and Photojournalism. Recent college graduate Kristin Diaz explained how she earned her job as television/weather reporter at KIII in Corpus Christi during the clinic titled, How to land Your First Broadcasting Job. Momma always said, Always dress nice. You never know who youre going to meet, Diaz said. Aspiring journalists did not just attend clinics and competitions, but to network as well. Brittany Richerson, editor of The Ranger at Amarillo College said that attending TIPA is a great experience in every aspect. I love meeting new people, bonding with staff, having fun and learning new stuff to take back home, said Richerson. Its a great networking opportunity as well. The South Texan staff held its own in the competitions, bringing home eight awards, including three placing first in live competitions and a good load of awards in the Previously Published competition. Jonathan Adams, Fares Sabawi, and Emilio Flores ranked first in their categories of Sports Photography, Radio Advertising, and PR Press Release. Sabawi, who is the News Editor of the South Texan, said he was especially proud of ranking first at his first TIPA convention. It was really cool to be at a place where everyone shares the same passion as you do, said Sabawi. The fact that I got to win in my first year is incredible and sets a high standard for myself in the years to come. Philip Perez, Editor-in-Chief, agreed. Now that I know what the staff is capable of, I am going to expect that and more, said Perez.

Texas Intercollegiate

TIPA

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Press Association

Photo by Jonathan Adams

Jonathan Adams took first place in the live sports photo event with this picture of Amber Cherry during Fridays softball game. He competed against more than 80 other photographers.

Photo by Leslie Villeda

(Left) Leslie Villeda received an Honorable Mention for this photo taken at the Texas State Aquarium as part of the Feature Photo live competition. More than 50 student photographers competed in the live event.

Photo by Philip Perez

Members of the South Texan staff toured the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and had a chance to speak to president and publisher Darrell Coleman. Hundreds of student journalists from colleges and universities convened on the Del Mar College (DMC) West Campus for the live news contest, which set-up a crisis scenario designed to give competitors a real simulation of a major news event. The simulation was staged for those competing in all major news contest and public relations events.

Members of the South Texan staff from left to right Dr. Manuel Flores, advisor, Kirk Notariani, operations manager, Don Fisher, advisor, Mark Molina, Colton Williams, Josh Cavazos, Fares Sabawi, Leslie Villeda, Emilio Flores, Joseph Frymire, Philip Perez, Frank Garza,(bottom row) Mary Beth Cleavelin, Liza Rodriguez, Amber Aldaco, Kristina Canales, Josette Adame and Cameron Gorman

Photo by Jonathan Adams

(left) The simulated situation was an explosion at a press conference that may have involved chemical explosives. The Corpus Christi Police Academy and Fire Academy at DMC assisted with the exercise.

TIPA results
Live events Jonathan Adams - First Place Sports Photo Emilio Flores - First Place Press Release Writing Fares Sabawi - First Place Radio Advertising Mark Molina - Second Place Sports Print News Joshua Cavazos - Third Place - Sports Radio News Leslie Villeda - HM Feature Photo Liza Rodriguez - HM Radio News Writing Josette Adame - HM Editorial Cartoon

Claudia Garcia - First Place - Headline Michael Flores - Second Place - Spanish News Writing Alejandra Garza - Second Place - Audio Slideshow Joseph Frymire - Second Place - Critical Review Colton Williams - Second Place - Sports Column Philip Perez - Second Place - Sports Action Photo Paul Camarillo - Third Place - Illustration Joseph Frymire - Third Place - General Column

Previously Published

Mark Molina - Third Place - Sports News Story Alejandra Garza - Third Place - Feature Photo Crystal Guerra - Third Place - In-Depth Story Philip Perez- HM - Story Package Mark Molina - HM- Feature Story (magazine) Philip Perez - HM - Photo Illustration Lauren Hernandez - HM - Sports Feature Story Mark Molina - HM - Feature Photo Mark Molina - HM - Sports Page Design Philip Perez - HM - Editorial Philip Perez - HM - Feature Story Philip Perez - HM - Single Subject Presentation Mary Beth Cleavelin - Op/Ed Page Design