Fresno’s City Hall will proclaim April 6 as “The Collegian Day” to recognize the student-run newspaper’s triumphs in this year’s California Collegiate Media Association statewide competition.

“The Collegian Day” was proclaimed by Councilmember Paul Caprioglio for the second consecutive year.

In 2016, Caprioglio proclaimed the day after the student-run newspaper took home 14 awards in 2016 from the CCMA and a “best in show” award from the Associated Collegiate Press.

This year, the student media organization swept the statewide competition, taking 18 awards ranging from best headline portfolio, best sales promotional material, and best newspaper inside page/ spread design.

“We want to recognize your hard work,” Caprioglio said during the 2016 proclamation.

A total of 37 association schools submitted 1,138 entries in the 2017 CCMA contest, which covered journalism and advertising produced in 2016. The entries were judged by professionals from across the country.

“This is the second year that we’ve been recognized, which is a pretty big deal for us because it’s the City of Fresno honoring a Fresno State organization a part of Fresno,” said Diana Giraldo, editor-in-chief of The Collegian. “I am proud of my team, and the hard work they put in every day. Now they can see how much they mean to all of Fresno.”

This year, The Collegian took home the most awards since 2009.

Giraldo said the student news organization has taken on many new projects this year. One of which she is most proud of is The Collegian’s new social media strategy.

“How can this continue to work and how can we continue to improve?” Giraldo said on stepping into the digital age of social media.

“We started with a few hundred followers and now we have hit 3,000,” Giraldo said. “The print industry is changing and our generation is learning how to bring innovation into print. We are spearheading the change.”

The Collegian staff members will visit City Hall Thursday at 8:30 a.m. to accept the proclamation.

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