Mainstream brings home nine awards
The Mainstream competed against ten other colleges from around the state in the 2013 Oregon Newspaper Publisher’s Newspaper Contest. The number of awards won was a school record, more than any other year in The Mainstream’s history. “Though not every staff member was chosen for an award, each person has contributed and only through the teamwork and dedication has this great honor come about,” Kingsley Hubbell, The Mainstream reporter said.
The Oregon Newspaper Publisher’s Newspaper Contest is one of the most prestigious contests for newspaper publications in the state. The contest includes divisions for community colleges, universities and the state’s professional publications. The Mainstream competes against other larger colleges such as Lane Community College and Linn-Benton Community College.
A student who earns an award can be very sought after for journalism/communications employment. It is an accomplishment in itself that The Mainstream is even able to compete in this contest, much less win any awards, considering the competition’s advantages. According to Lane Community College’s The Torch, in 2011 The Torch received $82,000 from Lane’s general fund plus $90,000 from student activity fees. The Mainstream is given approximately $3,000 out of the general fund and $2,000 from ASUCC disbursement. Many of the other community colleges have multiple advisers for their journalism program; UCC has only one.
“Every year, we are the smallest school that wins. Almost all of the other winning entries are from Eugene and Portland community colleges,” Melinda Benton, The Mainstream adviser said.
This student publication will be graduating many staff members and is looking for students to fill roles of reporter, designer, business manager, photographer and videographers. Students interested should contact Benton at Melinda.Benton@umpqua.edu.