FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2007
Media Contact: Michael Corby 904.632.3310

FCCJ students take four First Place awards in Florida Community College Press Association Convention

Four Florida Community College at Jacksonville students were recognized by the Florida Community College Press Association with First Place awards for their journalistic talents with The Campus Voice, the FCCJ student news publication. The awards were presented at the 48th Annual Convention of the FCCPA, held at the Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk in October.

Reporter Sheldon Gardner won a first-place award for In-depth Reporting for his “detailed and relevant” story about two FCCJ students who are part of the Jacksonville Youth Sanctuary’s Transitional Housing program for foster youth.

Fatima Hussein won a first place award in Editorial Columns, writing with “eloquence and logic” about such subjects as treatment of U.S. troops when they become veterans; possible pitfalls of the Patriot Act and efforts of a student organization to educate Northeast Florida on the misconceptions surrounding followers of Islam.

Campus Voice Editor Elizabeth Kiser won a first place award in the Arts Review category for an unconventional review of the Clint Eastwood-directed film, “Flags of Our Fathers.” The judges noted that while reviews should focus on the film rather than the writer, in this instance the reader was invested to feel what the writer felt, describing the review as “a job well done.”

Cartoonist Jefferson Sangrones won first place for his editorial cartoon, “Strength Training,” depicting a student climbing a staircase while engaged in a balancing act of school and work. The judges commended the cartoonist’s art as well as his use of language, calling it punchy and to the point.

The students were commended by faculty Adviser Marcia Mattson not only for their journalistic expertise, but also for hosting the conference this year.