Members of the City Times staff won six awards during this year’s statewide Journalism Association of Community Colleges convention that took place at the Wilshire Grand in Los Angeles from April 8-10.

The convention consisted of workshops, contests and social events. Competitions included on-the-spot creations and mail-in entries in writing, photography, illustrations and news pages layout categories.

Students from City College who were recognized for excellence included:

Vanessa Gomez, City Times editor-in-chief, won for on-the-spot Broadcast News Writing, Copy Editing, Critical Review, Mail-in Editorial Writing and Front Page Layout design.

Ernesto Lopez, managing editor, won for on-the-spot Broadcast News Writing and Mail-in Front Page Layout.

Carlos Maia, photographer and correspondent, won for Mail-in News Photo.

Entries from more than 30 community colleges in the state were accepted and judged by professional journalists.

Commenting on the experience, Gomez said, “It was intense. There was a big group, about 600 students. It brings out the journalist in you when there are so many competitive people trying to win. I’m proud that I placed in most of the stuff I tried and proud of being chosen among so many entrants. There are many other schools with talent.”

Lopez declared that he enjoyed the challenge. “It was good to see what I can do in one hour of writing competition,” he said, referring to the contests. “I could see what competition will be like in the workplace. You must push yourself because many are good.”

For one on-the-spot exercise, Lopez was taken to the Grammy Awards Museum where he quickly researched and wrote an article about the Latin Grammys. “I learned that there are stories everywhere. There are interesting people anywhere you look.”

City Times faculty adviser Roman Koenig accompanied the students to the annual event. A veteran attendee of the convention himself, he was pleased with this year’s seminars and competitions.

“Overall it was one of the best conventions in a long time. There was good spirit and energy. I’m proud of everyone, including those who took a chance but didn’t win. Other students took risks on stuff that wasn’t in their field and did well,” he said, referring to the broadcast news awards.