STUDENT NEWSPAPER EARNS MULTIPLE HONORS AT CONFERENCE

This article was originally published on November 4, 2026, in the Citrus View, a news center microsite maintained by the Citrus College Office of Strategic Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs.

Student journalists with the Citrus College Clarion picked up 10 awards during the Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC) SoCal Regional Conference at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) in October.

Publication contest winners included:

  • Online photo story/essay: Allison Chung earned first place for her photo essay of a punk show at a Dave and Buster's.
  • Illustration: Cyara Vasquez placed third for her illustration accompanying a story about Mother's Day.
  • Video hard news reporting: Abriana Quintanilla took third-place honors for her video about the shutdown of the Canvas network.
  • Critical review: Zack Cooper earned fourth place for his review of the Strokes' album, Reality Awaits.
  • Magazine news feature: Ian Hoon placed fourth for his story about the football team's 100th year.
  • Magazine photo story/essay: Rick Perrett took home fourth place for his photo essay of insects and other critters on campus.
  • Informational graphic: Abriana Quintanilla received an honorable mention for her infographic on hummingbirds.
  • Magazine illustration: Ian Hoon earned an honorable mention for his illustration accompanying the story about the football team's centennial year.
  • Magazine news feature: Lance Bernard received an honorable mention for his story about the emerging theatre technologies crew at the Haugh Performing Arts Center.

Additionally, Clarion editor-in-chief Matthew Cabrera earned an honorable mention in an on-the-spot opinion writing competition at the conference.

Allison Chung, the Clarion's editor-in-chief in spring 2026, and Eduardo Rodriguez, the Clarion's managing editor in fall 2026, also attended the conference and competed in on-the-spot contests.

While at the conference, Citrus College students attended workshops led by journalists from USA Today, Los Angeles Times, CBS LA, NBC4, Telemundo 52, ABC7, L.A. TACO, The LA Local, LAist and more. Representatives from nine universities across California also attended to recruit potential transfers from the community college attendees.

Three people with Citrus College connections continue to serve on the JACC board. Waleed Rashidi, a full-time tenured professor at Cal State Fullerton and former adjunct instructor at Citrus College, is continuing in his JACC role as the representative of universities statewide.

Evan Solano, a former Clarion and Logos editor-in-chief, is continuing in his role as an industry representative on the JACC board.

Meanwhile, Citrus College instructor Patrick Schmiedt is continuing in his role as the JACC secretary-treasurer, marking his eighth year serving on the board.