Best of Show Spring 2026 conference
March 8, 2026
SAN FRANCISCO (CA) – Associated Collegiate Press presented Best of Show awards at the conclusion of the Spring National College Media Conference, March 7, 2026, in San Francisco.
The Best of Show competition honored current student work in two categories posted below —
Experienced advisers and professional journalists judged all but two categories. People’s Choice and the Design Museum, by the Society for News Design, were voted on by conference attendees.
2026 Spring Convention Awards
Spring 2026 Pacemakers
Online
Student Media Business
Yearbook
San Francisco Best of Show
Individual Recognition
Staff Recognition
Advertising and Business Individual Awards
Pacemaker finalists
Online
Student Media Business
Yearbook
Individual Awards
ADVERTISEMENT: Print, Online, Video, Audio
Best of Show
Teia Kornienko
Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
The Roundup
Second Place
Mickie Dausey
Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Soaring Eagle Waterpark
Third Place
Vi Nguyen
Daily Titan
California State University, Fullerton
Naz’s Halal Food
Fourth Place
Charles Ridgway
Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Coupon book video ad
Fifth Place
Jake Sperling
Ibis
University of Miami (FL)
Senior Advertisements Pamphlet
Sixth Place
Julia Campbell, Jay Moyer
Distraction
University of Miami (FL)
Join Distraction Staff
Seventh Place
Kinjal Dhandar, Dicanio Darren Liong
La Voz News
De Anza College (CA)
Your Story Starts Here
BROADCAST: News Story
Best of Show
Reece Cartee, Jules Kamoie, Ava Reid, Emma Russell
The Los Angeles Loyolan
Loyola Marymount University (CA)
What does generative AI video mean for media literacy?
Second Place
Rocco Brichler
Mustang News
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
How Cal Poly students are getting ready to vote
Third Place
Marvin Rodriguez
Fresno State Focus
California State University, Fresno
Book Banning
Fourth Place
Vivian Gonzalez, Jaqueline Ruvalcaba
The State Hornet
California State University, Sacramento
Students protest new first-year housing requirement at Sacramento State
Fifth Place
Samantha Kline
Daily Sundial
California State University, Northridge
Hundreds of CSUN Students Rally to Keep ICE Out of the 818
Sixth Place
Gavin Bicho
UMTV
University of Miami (FL)
No King’s Day Protests in Miami
Seventh Place
Anjolina Fantaroni
Elon News Network
Elon University (NC)
Peacehaven Farm expansion
Eighth Place
Jayronan Vanthy
Fresno State Focus
California State University, Fresno
War Beyond Vietnam
Ninth Place
James Grech
Beach TV News
California State University, Long Beach
Air Traffic Controller Shortage Hits Burbank
Tenth Place
Vache Sipanian
Daily Titan
California State University, Fullerton
CSUF students take in the community at Discover Fest 2025
BROADCAST: Feature Story
Best of Show
Staff
The Los Angeles Loyolan
Loyola Marymount University (CA)
Identity Crisis: Gen Z and the shift to the right
Second Place
Ava Kezirian
UMTV
University of Miami (FL)
Oliver’s Patches
Third Place
Rocco Brichler
Mustang News
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Meet the Central Coast shaper keeping surfboard craft local
Fourth Place
Vache Sipanian
Daily Titan
California State University, Fullerton
Students celebrate culture at Dia de los Muertos
Fifth Place
Kayla Butter
UMTV
University of Miami (FL)
Sabrina Cohen’s Fight for Inclusion
Sixth Place
Allyssa Beatty
UMTV
University of Miami (FL)
We Can Sail
Seventh Place
Emma Marinez
NewsWaves 32
Pepperdine University (CA)
Father of PCH
Eighth Place
Emma Martinez
NewsWaves 32
Pepperdine University (CA)
Deaf Runner Empowers Others
Ninth Place
Travis McGinnis
Daily Sundial
California State University, Northridge
Banned Book Readout
Tenth Place
Samantha Kline
Daily Sundial
California State University, Northridge
Matador Motorsports
BROADCAST: Sports Story
Best of Show
Taryn Jacobs
UMTV
University of Miami (FL)
History of SportsDesk
Second Place
Malaika Fawzi
Daily Bruin
University of California, Los Angeles UCLA gymnastics victory over Washington
Third Place
Rocco Brichler
Mustang News
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
10 lbs in 2 days
Fourth Place
Delanie Haddad
UMTV
University of Miami (FL)
Beyond the Goalposts: A Blind Soccer Player Who Inspires Far Beyond the Field
Fifth Place
Sergio Gonzalez, Justin Rosette
Daily Titan
California State University, Fullerton
CSUF volleyball secures first conference victory since 2023
Sixth Place
Aidan Loney
UATV News
University of Arkansas
Women in Male Dominated Sports
Seventh Place
Ethan Cohen
Beach TV News
California State University, Long Beach
Dodgers Win Back-to-Back World Series Championship
Eighth Place
Matthew Gonzalez
Daily Sundial
California State University, Northridge
CSUN Men’s Basketball Notches First Victory Against Nobel University
Ninth Place
Junior Contreras, Sylar Stock
Long Beach Current
California State University, Long Beach
Wearing the jersey, carrying the culture
Tenth Place
Monika Jurevicius
Elon News Network
Elon University (NC) Elon football vs. Villanova
DESIGN: Magazine
Best of Show
Charlotte DeAngelis, Ava Stroshane
Distraction
University of Miami (FL)
The Little Things
Second Place
Betsy Burrow
Currents
Pepperdine University (CA)
Step Through TIme: Shoes Serve as Worldwide Time Capsules
Third Place
Shayla Do, Claire Geriak, Isabella Pineda-Jovel, Jaya Roberts, Frenchy Sandoval
Daily Sundial
California State University, Northridge
Shelf Clutter: Overconsumption and influencer gifting
Fourth Place
Anita Flores
Word
University of California, Santa Barbara
Nudibranchs of the Santa Barbara Channel
Fifth Place
Charlotte DeAngelis, Ethan Dosa
Distraction
University of Miami (FL)
Boiling Point
Sixth Place
Paola Acosta
The Runner
California State University, Bakerfield
Converge: Threads of Yesterday
Seventh Place
Julia Campbell, Jay Moyer
Distraction
University of Miami (FL)
Seven Deadly Sins
Eighth Place
Anita Flores
Word
University of California, Santa Barbara
Worshipping the Weekend
Ninth Place
Charlotte DeAngelis, Tierney Dennison, Ethan Dosa, Jake Sperling, Ava Stroshane
Distraction
University of Miami (FL)
Road to Natty
Tenth Place
Karen Su
Word
University of California, Santa Barbara
The Five Percent
DESIGN: Newspaper/Newsmagazine
Best of Show
Rachel Kristen, Lee Yokota, Aidan Sun
Daily Bruin
University of California, Los Angeles
The Best in the West
Second Place
Katelyn Coffman, Taylor Kellams
Paw Print
California State University, Fresno
Abolish ICE
Third Place
Betsy Burrow
The Graphic
Pepperdine University (CA)
Weisman Museum Controversy Timeline
Fourth Place
Juliana Lightsey, Kathleen Ortiz, Jessica Xu
The Rice Thresher
Rice University (TX)
Record-breaking crowds, not wins
Fifth Place
Luis Castilla, Rebecca Lavond
Long Beach Current
California State University, Long Beach
No Kings Day nationwide
Sixth Place
Sarah Moore
The Pendulum
Elon University (NC)
Sound Check
Seventh Place
Aviv Kesar
Mustang News
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly students juggle school and local immigrant advocacy
Eighth Place
Lucas Yang
The Case Western Reserve Observer
Case Western Reserve University (OH)
CWRU receives failing grade in national free speech ranking
Ninth Place
Adriano Espinosa, Kynlee Joyner, Zoe Rich
The Battalion
Texas A&M University
Holding history
Tenth Place
Gerardo Chagolla, Arienne Darjuan, Emmaly Hernandez, Kabeer Kansara
Daily Titan
California State University, Fullerton
No Kings protest
DESIGN: Yearbook
Best of Show
Raoul-Mihai Simu
The Tower
Loyola Marymount University (CA)
Tiny Dorm, Big Following
Second Place
Ariella Green, Jake Sperling
Ibis
University of Miami (FL)
This is Miami
Third Place
Alexa Bu, Adam Vuong
The Campanile
Rice University (TX)
Learning the Ropes of Nature
Fourth Place
Elizabeth Bunnell, Madalyn Menke, Grayce Vinicky
The Razorback
University of Arkansas
Springtime of Youth Spread Design
Fifth Place
Hannah Harrison, Kaylee Jenkins, Avery Kracmer
The Aggieland
Texas A&M University
Ride like never before
Sixth Place
Jake Sperling
Ibis
University of Miami (FL)
the UPhabet
Seventh Place
Ariella Green, Jake Sperling
Ibis
University of Miami (FL)
Centennial Edition
Eighth Place
Jake Sperling
Ibis
University of Miami (FL)
Widespread Influence
Ninth Place
Amina Bilalova, Lois Park, Reese Putnam, Jake Sperling
Ibis
University of Miami (FL)
Gear that Defines Us
PHOTOJOURNALISM: News/Feature Photo
Best of Show
Andrew Comparetta
The Avion
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL)
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
Second Place
Adriano Espinosa
The Battalion
Texas A&M University
Flight of the Great Pumpkin
Third Place
Lauren Kelleher
The Oak Leaf
Santa Rosa Junior College (CA)
The Universe is talking to me and it’s driving me crazy
Fourth Place
Ethan Cohen
Beach TV News
California State University, Long Beach
Los Angeles demands first amendment protection in protest against ICE
Fifth Place
Ava Stroshane
Ibis
University of Miami (FL)
Grand Entrance
Sixth Place
Jake Sperling
Ibis
University of Miami (FL)
Launch It
Seventh Place
Diego Perez
Long Beach Current
California State University, Long Beach
Get on Pointe
Eighth Place
Delaney Joyce
The State Hornet
California State University, Sacramento
ICE Out Rally Capitol Photo
Ninth Place
Griffin O’Rourke
Daily Sundial
California State University, Northridge
CSUN students rally for ‘ICE out of 818’
Tenth Place
Yna Bollock
The Oak Leaf
Santa Rosa Junior College (CA)
White Castle Signature Slider
PHOTOJOURNALISM: Sports Photo
Best of Show
Alivia Cranick
Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Toilet Paper Toss
Second Place
Ava Stroshane
Ibis
University of Miami (FL)
Touchdown!
Third Place
Frank Mayers
La Voz News
De Anza College (CA)
Q&A with Ryan Corcoran
Fourth Place
Lloyd Esola
Mustang News
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Best Sports Photo
Fifth Place
Kairi Mano
The Rice
Thresher Rice University (TX)
Flag Football Tape Toss
Sixth Place
Isaac Marquez
The Collegian
California State University, Fresno
Column: ‘Dogs strike best-case scenario with non-conference results
Seventh Place
Ava Stroshane
Ibis
University of Miami (FL)
Victory Celebration
Eighth Place
Griffin O’Rourke
Daily Sundial
California State University, Northridge
CSUN Men’s basketball gets crucial home win against UC Davis
Ninth Place
Rehansa Kulatilleke
Long Beach Current
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach State guard looks for daylight
Tenth Place
Jayden Vaughan
The Avion
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL)
NCAA basketball game
REPORTING & WRITING: News Story
Best of Show
Blace Carpenter, Masha Smahliuk-Bootz
Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Former instructor claims CMU rifle range poisoned him with lead
Second Place
Anne Belden, Oliver Kindt
The Oak Leaf
Santa Rosa Junior College (CA)
SRJC dance coordinator absent from classes while critics and supporters continue to speak out
Third Place
Amanda Velasco
Daily Bruin
University of California, Los Angeles
Former UCLA EDI official says he was terminated over Charlie Kirk posts
Fourth Place
Chris Hutton
The Orion
California State University, Chico
University seeks to change Greek culture in effort to curb hazing
Fifth Place
Ian Curtis
The Battalion
Texas A&M University
Letter shows Texas A&M Regent David Baggett discussed ‘insidious infiltration of DEI’ with Gov. Abbott prior to appointment
Sixth Place
Lilly Molina, Charlotte Pfabe
Elon News Network
Elon University (NC)
More than a shot: Weight loss drugs are reshaping student health, identity
Seventh Place
Miceala Morano
The Arkansas Traveler
University of Arkansas
School of Law students frustrated as UofA rescinds dean selection amid political pressure
Eighth Place
Anabel Bradley, Aiden Lewald, Matias Vega
The Oracle
Hamline University (MN)
Millennium Management displaces Hamline students
Ninth Place
Lexi Berzok, Britney Henderson
The Panther
Chapman University (CA)
Newly released Epstein files reveal connections to Chapman faculty
Tenth Place
Rosita Ventura-Gomez
The Collegian
California State University, Fresno
Fear in the Valley: How increased ICE presence is changing daily life for local communities.
REPORTING & WRITING: Feature Story
Best of Show
Reid Carpenter
The Oak Leaf
Santa Rosa Junior College (CA)
Salvatore Barone: A man of many words
Second Place
Andrea Rivera
The State Hornet
California State University, Sacramento
Undercover to onstage: Suzi Perri returns to finish her Sac State story
Third Place
Emma Russell
The Los Angeles Loyolan
Loyola Marymount University (CA)
Inside Fire Captain Malcolm Dicks’ (’94) life-saving bravery during the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires
Fourth Place
Alexandrea Ladiski
Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Cancer, crown and cause
Fifth Place
Kynlee Joyner
The Battalion
Texas A&M University
She can just do anything’
Sixth Place
Hailey Milasich
The Collegian
California State University, Fresno
Shooting for the stars: How a first-generation engineering student made her way to NASA.
Seventh Place
Paloma Schuller
The Collegian
California State University, Fresno
Built behind bars: Meet Kyle Simpson
Eighth Place
Charlotte Pfabe
Elon News Network
Elon University (NC)
You think you’re invincible until you’re not’: Student returns to Elon University after medical leave
Ninth Place
Daenielle Tuico
La Voz News
De Anza College (CA)
Priced out of the palace
Tenth Place
Amanda Monahan
The Graphic
Pepperdine University (CA)
Italian at Heart’: Screen Arts and Italian Studies Student Blends Multicultural Values into Filmmaking
REPORTING & WRITING: Sports Story
Best of Show
Aiyana Curry
The Orion
California State University, Chico
Legacy of a legend: Sutton to retire after 25 years
Second Place
Ian Curtis
The Battalion
Texas A&M University
Champs at last: A&M sweeps 1-seed Kentucky to win first national championship in school history
Third Place
Angel Corzo
Mustang News
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
From Doha to Division I: Hamad Mousa’s basketball journey
Fourth Place
Timothy Hessen, Bruce Kuntz
Long Beach Current
California State University, Long Beach
Transfer portal era reshapes recruiting for LBSU Athletics
Fifth Place
Connor Dullinger
Daily Bruin
University of California, Los Angeles
UCLA men’s basketball upsets No. 4 Purdue, stays unbeaten at home
Sixth Place
Nina Fife
The Graphic
Pepperdine University (CA)
Women’s Basketball Find Success in Historic Start
Seventh Place
Nolan Reynolds
The Collegian
California State University, Fresno
70 years in the making: The fight and future of payment for student-athletes.
Eighth Place
Sydney Neal
Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Leaders on the field
Ninth Place
Emily Maciel
Daily Sundial
California State University, Northridge
Former CSUN coach files lawsuit against university and CSU
Tenth Place
Benjamin Berfield
Elon News Network
Elon University (NC)
Elon University women’s basketball transfer center hopes to bounce back after season-ending surgery
Staff Awards
Advertising Media Kit
Best of Show
The Sunflower
Wichita State University (KS)
Second Place
Daily Titan
California State University Fullerton
Third Place
Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Fourth Place
Pepperdine Graphic Media
Pepperdine University (CA)
Fifth Place
The Long Beach Current
California State University, Long Beach
Sixth Place
La Voz News
De Anza College (CA)
Seventh Place
The Runner
California State University, Bakersfield
Eighth Place
Main Hill Media
University of Arkansas
Broadcast News Program (two-year campus)
Best of Show
DCTV News
San Joaquin Delta College (CA)
Second Place
La Voz Fact Friday
De Anza College (CA)
Broadcast News Program (four-year campus)
Best of Show
NewsWaves 32
Pepperdine University (CA)
Second Place
ENN Tonight
Elon University (NC)
Third Place
What’s Up Wednesday
Loyola Marymount University (CA)
Fourth Place
Beach TV News
California State University Long Beach
Fifth Place
Mustang News TV
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Sixth Place
Fresno State Focus
California State University, Fresno
Seventh Place
Sac State Says
California State University, Sacramento
Eighth Place
The Case Western Reserve Observer
Case Western Reserve University (OH)
Ninth Place
NewsVision
University of Miami
Digital Newsletter (two-year campus)
Best of Show
The Hornet Weekly Debrief
Fullerton College (CA)
Second Place
Talon Marks Weekly
Cerritos College (CA)
Third Place
The Express Bi-weekly
Las Positas College (CA)
Fourth Place
The Advocate
Contra Costa College (CA)
Digital Newsletter (four-year campus)
Best of Show
Today in Central Michigan
Central Michigan University
Second Place
The Pixel
Pepperdine University (CA)
Third Place
Valor Media Newsletter
Evangel University (MO)
Fourth Place
Elon News Network Weekly Newsletter
Elon University (NC)
Fifth Place
The Long Beach Current
California State University, Long Beach
Sixth Place
Loyolan Wrapped
Loyola Marymount University (CA)
Seventh Place
State Hornet ‘In Summary’
California State University, Sacramento
Eighth Place
The Collegian Newsletter
California State University, Fresno
Ninth Place
Sunrise
California State University, Northridge
Tenth Place
Daily Titan
California State University Fullerton
Feature Magazine (two-year campus)
Best of Show
Inside Fullerton Fullerton College (CA)
Second Place
El Sol
Southwestern College (CA)
Third Place
Naked
Las Positas College (CA)
Fourth Place
Wings
Cerritos College (CA)
Fifth Place
Viewpoint
Skyline College (CA)
Sixth Place
The Oak Leaf
Magazine Santa Rosa Junior College (CA)
Feature Magazine (four-year campus)
Best of Show
Distraction
University of Miami (FL)
Second Place
Pursuit
California Baptist University
Third Place
Excalibur
Evangel University (MO)
Fourth Place
Word
University of California, Santa Barbara
Fifth Place
Eñye
California State University, Long Beach
Sixth Place
Currents
Pepperdine University (CA)
Seventh Place
Xpress
San Francisco State University (CA)
Eighth Place
Hivemind
California State University, Sacramento
Ninth Place
The Avion Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University (FL)
Tenth Place
Osprey
California State University, Humboldt
Literary Arts Magazine
Best of Show
Havik
Las Positas College (CA)
Second Place
22 West Magazine
California State University, Long Beach
Third Place
Untold
Hamline University (MN)
Newspaper/Newsmagazine (two-year campus)
Best of Show
The Southwestern College Sun
Southwestern College (CA)
Second Place
The Collegian
San Joaquin Delta College (CA)
Third Place
The Express
Los Positas College (CA)
Fourth Place
La Voz News
De Anza College (CA)
Fifth Place
White Pine Press
Northern Michigan College
Sixth Place
Talon Marks
Cerritos College (CA)
Seventh Place
The Skyline View
Skyline College (CA)
Newspaper/Newsmagazine (four-year campus, 15,000 or fewer)
Best of Show
The Miami Hurricane
University of Miami (FL)
Second Place
The Pendulum
Elon University (NC)
Third Place
The Pepperdine Graphic
Pepperdine University (CA)
Fourth Place
The Rice Thresher
Rice University (TX)
Fifth Place
The Lumberjack
California State University, Humboldt
Sixth Place
Northwest Missourian
Northwest Missouri State University
Seventh Place
The Panther
Chapman University (CA)
Eighth Place
The Oracle
Hamline University (MN)
Ninth Place
The Case Western Reserve Observer
Case Western Reserve University (OH)
Tenth Place
La leñadora
California Polytechnic University, Humboldt
Newspaper/Newsmagazine (four-year campus, more than 15,000)
Best of Show
Mustang News
California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
Second Place
The Daily Bruin
University of California, Los Angeles
Third Place
Daily Titan
California State University, Fullerton
Fourth Place
Long Beach Current
California State University, Long Beach
Fifth Place
The Orion Magazine
California State University, Chico
Sixth Place
The Sunflower
Wichita State University (KS)
Seventh Place
Spartan Daily
San Jose State University (CA)
Eighth Place
The Sundial
California State University, Northridge
Ninth Place
Paw Print
California State University, Fresno
Tenth Place
The California Aggie
University of California, Davis
Website (two-year campus)
Best of Show
La Voz News
De Anza College (CA)
Second Place
The Skyline View
Skyline College (CA)
Third Place
The Oak Leaf
Santa Rosa Junior College (CA)
Fourth Place
The Hornet
Fullerton College (CA)
Fifth Place
The Collegian
San Joaquin Delta College (CA)
Sixth Place
The Observer
Elgin Community College (IL)
Seventh Place
The Express
Las Positas College (CA)
Eighth Place
Talon Marks
Cerritos College (CA)
Ninth Place
The Corsair
Santa Monica College (CA)
Tenth Place
The Cuestonian
Cuesta College (CA)
Website (four-year campus, 15,000 or fewer)
Best of Show
Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Second Place
Distraction
University of Miami (FL)
Third Place
Pepperdine Graphic
Pepperdine University (CA)
Fourth Place
The Los Angeles Loyolan
Loyola Marymount University (CA)
Fifth Place
The Banner
California Baptist University
Sixth Place
Elon News Network
Elon University (NC)
Seventh Place
The Miami Hurricane
University of Miami (FL)
Eighth Place
The Outlook
Monmouth University (NJ)
Ninth Place
ValorMedia
Evangel University (M))
Tenth Place
The Case Western Reserve Observer
Case Western Reserve University
Website (four-year campus, more than 15,000)
Best of Show
Mustang News
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Second Place
The State Hornet
California State University, Sacramento
Third Place
The Battalion
Texas A&M University
Fourth Place
The Sunflower
Wichita State University (KS)
Fifth Place
Daily Sundial
California State University, Northridge
Sixth Place
Daily Titan
California State University Fullerton
Seventh Place
The Collegian
California State University, Fresno
Eighth Place
The Long Beach Current
California State University, Long Beach
Ninth Place
The Orion
California State University, Chico
Tenth Place
Beach TV News
California State University, Long Beach
Yearbook
Best of Show
Ibis
University of Miami (FL)
Second Place
Tower
Northwest Missouri State University
Third Place
The Tower
Loyola University (CA)
Fourth Place
The Razorback
University of Arkansas
Fifth Place
The Bluestone
James Madison University (VA)
Sixth Place
Angelos California
Baptist University
Seventh Place
The Campanile
Rice University (TX)