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Orion Nation’s Best Again
For the third time in five years, The
Orion has been named the nation’s best college newspaper
by the National Newspaper Association.
The Orion was awarded first place for general excellence
in the college and university division of NNA’s 2004 Better
Newspapers Contest. Judges lauded the CSU, Chico weekly, which was
honored for three issues published in 2003.
“Excellent paper,” the judges wrote. “Diverse,
effective coverage. Crisp writing. … The design is clean,
purposeful, and smart.”
The Orion also took first place honors in the NNA contest
in 2000 and 2002.
The winners were announced at the conclusion of the NNA’s
118th annual convention in Denver, Colorado. Winners will be recognized
in a special October issue of the NNA publication Publishers’
Auxiliary.
Kristina Seward, managing editor of The Orion, attended
the convention and accepted the award. Seward, a senior journalism
major from Hilmar, said, “This kind of recognition only makes
us want to try harder to continue being the best at what we do.”
Dave Waddell, faculty advisor, said The Orion’s performance
in the NNA contest attests to its consistent quality. “That
this recognition comes from the largest professional newspaper organization
in the country makes it an especially nice honor,” said Waddell.
Jennifer Cooper of Joshua Tree was The Orion’s managing
editor during the spring 2003 semester, and Melody Gutierrez of
Twentynine Palms held that position in fall 2003. Jessie Gardner
of Reno was the paper’s art director both semesters. Gutierrez
is now a staff writer for The Sacramento Bee.
The Orion is also a finalist for what would be its eighth
national newspaper Pacemaker award, which has been dubbed “the
Pulitzer Prize of college journalism.” Pacemaker winners will
be announced in November.
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Volume 35/Number 2
