The Xavierite staff holding their awards at ICPA Conference The Xavierite
On March 1, during the annual Illinois College Press Association (ICPA) conference, The Xavierite won thirteen awards, more than double of last year’s wins. Since Saint Xavier University (SXU) contains 2,999 students or fewer, The Xavierite competed in the Small Schools category.
These awards included: first place in Sports Column, second place in News Story, Critical Review- Other than film, General News Photo, Headline Writing, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coverage, third place Column, Advertisement- Best Digital AD, Editorial, Sweepstakes, and Honorable Mentions in Graphic Illustration, Sports Column, and Front Page Layout.
Among the winners this year was Deputy Editor-in-Chief Brian Raica Jr., who won 2nd place in Critical Review – Other Than Film, open division. When asked about his win, Raica described the impact writing has had on his life, and how he plans to move forward in his career as a journalist.
Raica described attending the conference as a transformative experience that “gave me everything I needed to see clarity on my literary defects. I have studied others, and the feedback I’ve been given myself. It is with this that I will pursue greatness, rather than drown in the depths of glory.”
Jason Jimenez-Garrido, former Sports Editor for The Xavierite and host of 808’s & Body Slams on WXAV 88.3FM was awarded Honorable Mentions both open division and small schools for the Sports Columns and Graphic Illustrations categories. As his time at Saint Xavier University will soon come to an end, he had this to say about the recognition he received from the ICPA:
“For me, this win is a perfect cap to not only my time with The Xavierite, but my overall college career. As a senior, I am reaching the end of my college experience. These awards are just a reminder that all my hard work over the last four years has been worth it.”
Emma Gabrys, Editor-in-Chief, won second place in News Story for her article on the app, Fizz. The article spoke on how the app affected SXU students and their different perspectives on the matter.
Grace Van Cleave, SXU Almuni and previous Editor-in-Chief of The Xavierite, won first place in Sports Column. This story covered the “Depreciation of Women’s Athletic Accomplishments.” and dived into the experiences women athletes face against such as sexism and misogyny.
Javell Sheppard, SXU Alumni and previous Videographer for The Xavierite, won second place for a General News Photo of a demonstration hosted by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).
Shealyn Scott, SXU Alumni and former Copy editor at The Xavierite, won second place for her Headline Writing titled, “How Limited Series are Limiting Series.”
Deana Elhit, former Deputy Editor-in-Chief, won second place for a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coverage article titled “Living as an Indigenous Palestinian in Exile.”
Giuliana Islas, Orientation & Belonging Coord., and former Opinions Columnist, won third place for a Column she wrote on “The NAIA’s New Title IX Violating Policy.”
Melanie Marquez, Designer, won third place for Best Digital Advertisement.
According to illinoiscollegepress.wordpress.com, “Membership is open to all four-year colleges in Illinois.” Its current version was founded at Eastern Illinois University in April of 1983, though the organization has existed since the 1920s.
Every year, schools that are members of the association “nominate their journalists for awards in 29 categories each year and are eligible to have members of their staff attend the convention” as a way to celebrate student journalists across the state.