The Moraine Valley Community College student newspaper, The Glacier, earned 16 awards from the Illinois Community College Journalism Association (ICCJA) Transitional Contest last month.

In the open categories, all the colleges compete against each other. Moraine Valley earned:

Aidan McGuire, of Mokena – first place, Reporter of the Year; first place, Podcast

Mohammed Jbara, alumnus – first place, Sports Column

James Landgraf, alumnus – second place, Graphics

Nick Stulga, alumnus – second place, News Story of the Year

Juan Carbajal, of Tinley Park – honorable mention, Editorial Writer of the Year

In the Division I categories (based on college enrollment), Moraine Valley earned:

Abby Hobbs, of Oak Lawn – first place, Arts Review

Carbajal – first place, Staff Editorial

Marcus Collins, of Orland Hills – second place, Feature Photo

Stulga – second place, News Column

McGuire – second place, News Photo; second place, Sports Game Story

Abigail Niedospial, of Oak Lawn – honorable mention, News Column

Jbara – honorable mention, Sports Game Story

Based on points earned from the Division I contest, The Glacier earned second place for Best Student Media. The staff also took second place for the Mike Foster General Excellence Award.

Because the ICCJA changed the eligibility period for the contest from a calendar year to academic year format, it needed to fill the gap with a partial year contest. Entries for the Transitional Contest had to be published between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2023. Several students who earned honors have graduated and transferred.

“I am pleased with the results for a shortened eligibility period,” said Jan Kopischke, Moraine Valley student publications advisor. “One of the challenges of community college publications is the changing student body as they earn their degrees and certificates to transfer to a four-year institute or join the workforce. It is a constant balancing act between classes, work schedules, and completing articles for the publication. I am proud of the work our students have done and wish them success in the next steps of their respective journeys.”