Pierce College Media Arts Department students took home four individual awards and a general excellence recognition for The BULL magazine during the California College Media Association awards banquet Saturday, April 17 at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, Calif.

This was the first year that Pierce College competed in California College Media Association awards. This was the first time the group encouraged community colleges to compete alongside its four-year university and college members.  

Pierce College’s student-run newspaper, The Roundup and www.rounduponline.net competed in the Division B weekly publication category. The BULL, the student-run magazine, competed in the general excellence category. It was one of only three magazines that were recognized.

The BULL received the award for its spring 2009 edition. The editor-in-chief, Natalie Yemenidjian, was present at the banquet to receive the award. Three other students and three Media Arts Department advisers also attended. About 200 people attended the awards banquet.

In addition, Aisha Ahal won first place for news photograph.  Chet Lee received second place for best infographic, Amber-Rose Kelly won third place for feature photo and Louie Heredia won third place for photo illustration.

Prior to the awards and dinner, the Pierce College delegation toured Hearst Castle, the former home of media mogul William Randolph Hearst.

The California College Media Association is a statewide organization that promotes education and cooperation among community colleges and universities in California. It was founded in 2003 and hosts an annual workshop and a yearly competition showcasing the best college journalism in the state.

For more information and a list of award winners, visit: www.calcollegemedia.org.