Advocate Wins 25 Awards in Annual ONPA Contest

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, staff from The Advocate, Mt. Hood’s student news publication, traveled down the Willamette Valley for the annual Collegiate Day forum hosted by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association (ONPA).

Just like the old days, they returned with several top awards for coverage during 2023 – 26 in all.

That includes a tie for second place in General Excellence.

During the April 19 event, held in Lebanon, collegiate newspaper members from around the state came together to hear from professionals, to network, and to receive honors for their work.

This year’s event included speakers from the journalism industry, including Nikki DeBuse, a regional publisher at Pamplin Media, which owns many local newspapers in the Portland metro area, and Noel Nash, owner of the The Chronicle in Springfield.

They and other ONPA board members shared their insights and experiences in journalism. Students were then divided into rotating breakout groups, where they got a chance to directly question the different professionals and get valuable advice.

For all but one category, The Advocate’s awards came in competition against other two-year schools, including Clackamas, Lane, Umpqua, Linn-Benton and Central Oregon community colleges.

The lone exception was notable: the General Excellence tie with the Linn-Benton Commuter for second, just behind the Portland State Vanguard, in the only award where two and four-year college and university publications were judged together.

For the 2023 year, The Advocate won the following awards:

Best Special Section:

First place – Mt. Hood 1970s Retrospective

Second place – Artificial lntelligence

Best Graphic:

First place – Devin Singh, The Artificial Intelligence experience

Third place – Matana McIntire, Kali Uchis

Best Cartooning:

First place – Devin Singh, assorted images

Second place – Ian Montgomery, Sideline Schaboingery

Best Headline:

First place – staff (grouping of four)

Third place – staff (same)

Best Columnist:

Second place – Kane Finders, ASMHCC lack of candidates; Media meltdown

Third place – Tony Acker, AI is beneficial; Portland officials on homeless crisis

Best Writing:

Second place – Tony Acker, AI is beneficial; Portland officials on homeless crisis; Airsoft battlefield

Best Section:

Second place – News: Mt. Hood 1970s Retrospective

Best Design:

Second place – Winter survival guide

Best website:

Second place (includes all digital platforms)

Best Editorial:

Second place – Peyton Hull, How to improve your mental health

Third place – Kane Finders, Recyling’s path to a greener future

Best Spot News story:

Third place – Tony Acker, Resurrecting the night

Best News story:

Third place – Avery Diep, Behind the curtains of Shen Yun

Best Review:

Third place – Sabrina Kuhlmann, ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ is fun for all

Best Feature Story:

Third place – Isabela Durighello, How one woman changed the nursing program

Best Series:

Third place – staff, ASMHCC coverage

Best Feature Photo:

Second place – Martell Meacham, Capturing faculty form (David Strohl)

Third place – Sabrina Kuhlmann, Mt. Hood’s ASL Club a true community

Best Sports Photo:

Second place – Lindsay Leeman, NWAC Track & Field Championship

Best House Ad:

Third place– staff