The El Vaquero staff brought home four awards from the annual southern California Journalism Association
of Community Colleges convention, at Cal State Fullerton on Oct. 17 and 18.

Staff writer Ryan Pile won first place in the headline writing contest, with Ramtin Jamshidi close behind him with
an honorable mention. Photographer Eddie Perez received honorable mention in the sports photo contest and El Vaquero received an award of general excellence in the online journalism competition.

The events place writers and photographers with real-time contests and deadlines.

El Vaquero editor Bonnie Schindler and staff members Eddie Alvarez, Travis Han-Cruz, Jacqueline Demirjian Judith Ghougassian, Ramtin Jamshidi, Maria Kornalian, Arin Mikailian, Ryan Pile, Eileen Raji, Mila Reid and Eddie Perez were up against competitors from community colleges all over southern California, which include all schools that are below Bakersfield and San Luis Obispo.

The annual statewide contest will be held in April 2004 in Los Angeles.
As April approaches, the staff members are preparing to sharpen their skills and gain experiences that will prepare them for their careers in journalism.