Daytona State’s student newspaper/literary magazine place high in competition

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 11, 2013) - Daytona State College’s student newspaper, In Motion, continued its streak as one of the top student-run publications during October’s 54th annual Florida College System Publications Association Newspaper Competition in Tampa.

In Motion, which published its first edition in 1991, came in second overall in general excellence during this year’s competition. The newspaper has dominated the yearly competition for more than a decade, placing first overall seven times and second four times.

In addition to the General Excellence award, the student journalists and print designers came away with 18 other honors, including two who earned Inner Circle Awards for placing in at least three categories.

Elena Jarvis, a journalism professor and co-advisor to the student newspaper, attributed its quality and success to the support of the college administration and a collaborative commitment various academic departments make in recruiting students to participate.  “Everybody chips in,” she said. “They search for their best students and encourage them to become involved. Our students want to make a difference in the world, and they see that media is open to everybody of all means.”

Dean of Student Activities Bruce Cook, who also is a co-advisor to the newspaper, said the publication doubles as a learning laboratory for students. “After every issue comes out, we do a thorough critique, which serves as a good learning tool for the students, especially for those who have an interest in media and journalism as a career,” he said.

Daytona State alumna and former Editor-in-Chief Emelia Hitchner and current Designer Brianna Mims each came away with the association’s Inner Circle award.  Hitchner placed first in the Humor Writing category, as well as second in the Editorial Cartoon category and third in the In-Depth Reporting category.   Mims shared first place in the Design category with fellow InMotion staffer Jessica Keith. She also shared first place in the Picture Story category with InMotion photographers Orion Christy and Lisa Silversmith, and placed second in the Comic Strip category.

Other Daytona State awardees were:

• Vincent Davis, 2nd place, Sports Column
• James Smithwick, 1st place, General Column
• Kali Colden, 2nd place, Sports Writing
• Mirgena Demneri, 2nd place, Arts Review
• Lance Rothwell, 2nd place, News Photo
• Brittany Fournier, 1st place, Feature Photo
• Shaun Haugh, 1st place, Sports Photo
• Jessica Keith, 1st place, Ad Design
• Tom Lynn, 2nd place, Feature Story
• Steven Katona, 2nd place, News Story

Daytona State’s student literary publication Aeolus finished second overall in the magazine competition, with Jessica Keith earning the Inner Circle award for placing in three categories, including Photography (1st), which she shared with fellow Aeolus contributors John Picione and Lance Rothwell; Two-Page Spread (2nd), which she shared with Lawrence Grimm and Picione; and Staff Page (2nd). 

Other award-winning contributors included:

• Bruno Leite, 3rd place, Poetry
• Elisabeth Gillham, 3rd place, Art (Individual)
• Matt Beach, 1st place, Photo

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