The Buccaneer, Peninsula College’s award-winning student newspaper, earned seven honors in the Pacific Northwest Association of Journalism Educators 2018 Contest, a four-state competition for colleges across Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho.

Ryan Fournier was awarded first place in sports news reporting for localizing the national controversy surrounding pro and amateur athletes’ protests during the national anthem for “Athletes, Coaches, Department not Jumping into Controversy,” and third place in the comprehensive coverage category for a series of news articles about a student returning to school titled, “Sex-Offender Postings and Notifications – Living Beyond the Label.”

“This is where the paper shines; it tackles hard subjects, subjects that a lot of papers shy from,” contest judges noted in their comments. “An interview with a Level 3 sex offender, a first person account of mental illness, seeing the many sides of the gun debate, rights for student journalists, homelessness.”

Brenna Sinding received a second place award in the news photography category for “Fist Rising in Fall,” about a protest against racist graffiti at Boston College. Sinding was also named a finalist in the 2017 Mark of Excellence Nationals in the breaking news photography category-small schools division, for the photo. National Mark of Excellence award judges can select one national winner and up to two national finalists (runners-up) in each category.

In the photo essay competition, Sinding won an honorable mention for “Fat Smitty’s Diner” that showcased the personality of a unique roadside diner in Discovery Bay.

Maddie Hunt won two awards for her photography. Her cover photo titled “Zombie Hordes Hunt Humans” won second place, while “Throwdown in the PUB,” documenting an arm wrestling match, won third place in the feature photo category.

Fournier and Abigail Vidals won an honorable mention for their photo essay of an international student celebration titled, “PUB Global: A Festival for the Senses.”

One Pacific Northwest Association of Journalism Educators contest judge noted of The Buccaneer staff’s work: “With work on presentation, this paper would have it all … and really, presentation is the easiest part … the hardest part is the bravery to tackle hard subjects and the ability to write and report well … considering the size of the staff, this paper over-achieves.”

View The Buccaneer online at www.passthebuc.com.