The Poly Post, Cal Poly Pomona’s student-run newspaper, received multiple awards this spring from the California College Media Association.
CPP won second place for Best Newspaper Front Page Design and honorable mention recognition for Best Multimedia Presentation, Best Breaking News Story and Best Non-Breaking News Story.
The Bronco Guide, a magazine produced by The Poly Post, received honorable mention recognition for Best Overall Magazine and Best Magazine Cover Design.
The staff was up against other universities such as USC, UCLA, Cal State LA, Cal State Fullerton and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
“It was a great feeling to be on par with other universities with good journalism programs,” said Victoria Gonzalez, a communication senior and managing editor of the paper.
In fall 2018, The Poly Post changed its focus, increasing its coverage of hard news stories to update students of campus activities and news.
For the Best Newspaper Front Page Design, one judge commented: “This page has everything: a feature story, sports and student voices. It is impeccably organized, well thought out and respectful of its content. I cannot find one misstep in this page. Beautiful work, Poly Post. Keep it up!”
Richard Chang, the Poly Post’s faculty advisor, submitted the students’ work.
“I really wanted to encourage my students that no one is going to give you anything, you have to go out and get it,” Chang said. “These kids are extremely talented, and I wanted them to be recognized for it.”
Before coming to Cal Poly Pomona in fall 2018, Chang was the arts and culture editor at L.A. Weekly. He is currently a member of the Orange County Press Club.
“Richard has brought positive change to The Poly Post and reinforces basic journalism standards,” said David Wilson, a communication senior and Poly Post editor. “Having someone like Richard, who has so much experience, has been wonderful to learn from.”
Wilson, who won an honorable mention for a breaking news story, said his time at the paper was a good experience.
“The Poly Post introduced me to the thrill of finding something out and writing a story to inform someone at the school that didn’t know about it,” Wilson said.
Gonzalez said she also wanted the newspaper to include a variety of stories.
“Covering stories like Pizza with the Presidents and Hot Dog Caper are great, but they are events that happen in the moment,” Gonzalez said. “If you want to understand an issue, you should delve deeper into it.”
For example, the opinion section had movie reviews, but writers kept it topical by talking about how it affects culture or the current time, she said.
With their new efforts, The Poly Post has established its presence among journalists in California’s colleges, Wilson said.
“The recognition is a credit to the writing staff and their commitment to the paper,” he said. “To compete alongside other high-quality journalism programs was really rewarding, and it inspires us to make sure Cal Poly Pomona is a continued presence.”
CCMA Awards:
Best Magazine Cover Design – Honorable Mention
The Poly Post
Bronco Guide, Summer 2018
Valerie Mancia Soriano, Angely Flete, Tiffani Villafranca
Best Magazine – Honorable Mention
The Poly Post
Bronco Guide
Tevin Voong, Karen Ho, Rachel Elkin, Reagan Zorn, Valerie Soriano, Angely Flete
Best Multimedia Presentation – Honorable Mention
The Poly Post
Christian Manoukian, Jacqueline Ayala
Best Newspaper Front Page Design – Second Place
The Poly Post
The Poly Post, Vol. LXXIV, No. 15, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018
Victoria Gonzalez, Eileen Qiu, Elizabeth Hernandez, Natali Perez, David Wilson
Best Non-breaking News Story – Honorable Mention
The Poly Post
Christina Manuel
Best Breaking News Story – Honorable Mention
The Poly Post
David Wilson