Press Release
Posted July 9, 2021

Lorain County Community College (LCCC) students won 11 awards in the 2021 Student Run Media All Ohio Excellence in Journalism competition held by The Press Club of Cleveland on June 24. The Collegian newspaper earned eight honors and the Boom Radio earned three awards in the two-year college category.

“Both of my winning stories focused on how different programs at the college were handling their business during the pandemic, and I feel like I was able to concisely explain their struggle during such an odd year,” said student Anthony LaRosa, 19, who earned first place for best print feature story and best print sports story. The Amherst resident expects to graduate in 2022.

A hands-on experience that prepares students for a career is exactly what the LCCC journalism program strives for. “Lorain County has plenty of talented students. All they need is a little bit of guidance to excel in their education and career. That’s what we at LCCC do,” said professor Cliff Anthony, who earned second place for essay writing for a guest column in the Plain Dealer. “Our students have been winning awards from the Press Club of Cleveland and the Society of Professional Journalists since 2013.”

“In LCCC’s journalism program, I basically have gotten to try out as many different things that I could in the journalism business. I’ve had my hand at interviewing individuals, writing stories, editing other people’s stories, as well as working to format and structure the paper that the program puts out,” LaRosa added. “I’m able to gain real experience that helps me not only grow more comfortable in this type of setting, but also lets me see a portion of what a full-time position within the field could be like.”

Justin Below, who earned second place for his podcast episode on climate change also said he appreciates being able to explore real-world news that affects the population. “Climate change is something that I care about so it was really beneficial for me to interview two people who are so knowledgeable on the subject. It feels great that I was able to get second place for this because it shows that I made an impact.”

LCCC student All Ohio Excellence in Journalism awards include:

Best Print Newspaper Story

First Place
Oscar Rosado

Second Place
Oscar Rosado

Third Place
Staff

Best Print Feature Story

First Place
Anthony LaRosa

Second Place
Staff

Third Place
Oscar Rosado

Best Print Sports Story

First Place
Anthony LaRosa

Best Online Report Trade

Second Place
Staff

Best Radio/Podcast News

First Place
Janet Maltbie

Second Place
Justin Below

Third Place
Gabe Apanius

The Collegian is published online and in print by the students of LCCC. To read or learn more about contributing as a student writer, visit The Collegian. BOOM Radio is a radio station located on the main LCCC campus. To learn more or listen, visit BOOM radio.

LCCC offers a Journalism – Public Relations and Advertising one-year certificate for careers in journalism, public relations, marketing and advertising. Contact Clifford Anthony at (440) 366-7729 or canthony@lorainccc.edu for more information.

The Telecommunication offers courses in audio and video both in performance and production. Contact Dee Gross for information dgross@lorainccc.edu.

Enroll at LCCC or call (440) 366-4032. Fall classes begin Aug. 23, Sept. 27, Oct. 18 and Nov. 1.

Lorain County Community College is located at 1005 N. Abbe Road, Elyria.