Sitting in a room filled with their peers and competitors, five Collegian editors accepted 18 awards on behalf of the student-run newspaper Saturday in San Francisco for the 2017 California College Media Association (CCMA) awards.

Student journalists from community college, California State University and University of California newspapers went head-to-head in the annual Excellence in Student Media competition for a chance to be the top in their respective divisions. The Collegian competed in Division A, which was comprised of all university campuses with a student population of 10,000 or more. Division B includes university campuses with a student population of less than 10,000 and Division C, being community colleges.

A total of 37­association schools submitted 1,138 entries in the contest, which covered journalism and advertising produced in 2016. The entries were judged by professionals­from across the country

The Collegian was notified the organization placed in 17 categories the week before the ceremony. When the team began receiving the awards at the banquet Saturday evening, they were surprised with an unexpected award, bringing the total number to 18.

“This year we did exceptionally well. When my team found out about the nominations you could visually see how proud they were for their work,” ­Editor-in-Chief Diana Giraldo said. “Each and every one of them spends countless hours in thinking of new and creative ways to showcase stories, whether it is through words, pictures, videos or graphics.”

Managing editor Cresencio Rodriguez, news editor Chueyee Yang, assistant news editor Daniel Gligich, design editor Juan Alvarez and Giraldo attended the CCMA awards.

“We dedicate our time, creativity and motivation into our organization because we genuinely love bringing the students information about things that directly impact their lives,” Giraldo said. “From editorial to our art and advertising staff, they are each a piece of what makes this award winning puzzle — The Collegian.” ­

The 18 total awards include:

1st Place

• Best Sales Promotional Material (Fall 2016 – Spring 2017 Advertising Media Kit)
  The Collegian
• Best Headline Portfolio
  Jenna Wilson
• Best Newspaper Inside Page/ Spread Design
  Juan Alvarez

2nd­Place

• Best Online Ad
  Beth Izard
• Best Black and White Advertisement
  Kong Thao
• Best Feature Photography
  Khone Saysamongdy
• Best Sports Photograph
  Christian Ortuno
  
• Best Audio Slideshow
  Jessica Johnson
• Best­Advertising Special Section
  Darlene Wendels, ­Khlarissa Agee, Beth Izard
• Best Color Advertisement (Recruitment Ad)
  The Collegian­

3rd place

• Best Blog
  Hayley Salazar
• Best­News Video
  Troy Pope
• Best Use of Social Media
  Jessica Johnson, Diana Giraldo
• Best Infographic
  Juan Alvarez, Jenna Wilson

Honorable Mention

• Best Arts and Entertainment Story
  Hayley Salazar, Francisco J. De Leon
• Best Podcast
  David Chavez
• Best News Series
  Jenna Wilson, Daniel Gligich
• Best Breaking News Story
  Diana Giraldo