Students were honored at the Spring 2026 Associated Collegiate Press National College Media Conference, by the ACP, the California College Media Association, and the Journalism Association of Community Colleges, competing against student newsrooms from across California and the country.

Hornet Media students brought home a wave of national and statewide recognition this year, earning awards across writing, photography, design, and multimedia from several major collegiate journalism competitions in San Francisco.

“I’m so happy that our newsroom is being recognized on such a huge level against other schools nationally,” said Eli Young, editor-in-chief of The Hornet. “I’m proud of my team. We put in hard work every day, and seeing it pay off and seeing my team have fun and get excited about their accomplishments means the world to me. Happy is an understatement.”

At the conference, Hornet Media publications earned several top national honors in the Best of Show competition.

“I went up to my hotel room after and cried a little bit. I’m really just so happy for everyone who won — even people from other schools,” said Young.

Inside Fullerton magazine took first place in the magazine category, while The Hornet Weekly Debrief earned first place for digital newsletter. The Hornet website placed fourth in Best of Show, competing against student publications nationwide.

The Hornet was also named a Pacemaker finalist, one of the most prestigious recognitions in collegiate journalism.

“I remember when our name showed up on the screen, I jumped out of my seat. It was involuntary,” said Young.

While Hornet Media celebrated another strong awards season, one student stood out for their work behind the scenes. Angel Campos, photo editor for The Hornet, placed second in News Photo and earned an honorable mention in Creative Portrait.

Gallery • 4 Photos

The Hornet and Inside Fullerton editorial staff pose for a photo with the previous editor-in-chief, Dylan Arreola, and a table full of awards that were given to the publications at the Associated Collegiate Press National College Media Conference on March 7, 2026.

Hornet Media also earned multiple honors at the Journalism Association of Community Colleges state contest, which recognizes top student journalism across California community colleges.

“That big room full of different student publications moved me,” said Young. “Even in today’s unstable times, there are still plenty of us who have that pull to do what we do, and I just don’t have words for that emotion.”

Joe Trujillo received first place in Opinion for his first-hand account of being a journalist at protests in “When Covering the News Becomes Dangerous.”

The Winter 2025 issue of Inside Fullerton also earned first place in Magazine Design/Layout, highlighting the publication’s visual storytelling and page design.

Students were also recognized by the California College Media Association, with awards spanning design, multimedia, reporting, and photography.

The awards reflect the collaborative nature of the Hornet Media newsroom, where students contribute across platforms, including the newspaper, magazine, digital newsletter, website, podcasts, and video reporting.

With recognition across national and state competitions, Hornet Media continues to demonstrate the strength of student journalism at Fullerton College.

Associated Collegiate Press – San Francisco 2026: All Awards

1st Place

Best of Show – Magazine: Inside Fullerton 

Best of Show – Digital Newsletter: The Hornet Weekly Debrief 

4th Place

Best of Show – Website: The Hornet

Finalist

Online Pacemaker: The Hornet 

California College Media Association (CCMA)

1st Place

Best Print Ad: Artist Spotlight: Devon Lopez — Matthew Erboza & Dialynna Riddle 

Best Interactive Graphic: Decibel Chart — Zack Gilbert 

Best Magazine Inside Page Design: If it’s not political, it’s not punk — Matthew Erboza & Dialynna Riddle 

Best Magazine Photo: Sylvia Mendez: The Fight For Desegregating Education — Julianne Villamil 

Best Non-Breaking News Story: Heaven is a Transaction — Arianna Pastrana, Dylan Arreola, Maria Cruz 

Best Infographic: Show of Hands: Let’s talk nightlife — Juliana Vargas 

2nd Place

Best Podcast: Performative Males — Sal Zinzun, Ean Ramirez 

Best Magazine Story: Walk on Wilshire — Ean Ramirez 

3rd Place

Best Photo Series: Sincerely Stylish — Nadine Baquiran 

Best News or Feature Video: Fullerton College Synergy Vocal Jazz and Lab Band Concert — Natalie Valenzuela 

Best Social Justice Coverage: Karla Garcia, Maria Cruz, Joe Trujillo, Elycia Young, Dylan Arreola 

Best Magazine Cover Design: Winter 2025 — Matthew Erboza & Dialynna Riddle 

Best Sports Story: Fullerton squeaks out a close 1-0 win against Cypress in a men’s soccer conference rivalry game — Zack Gilbert

Best Sports Photograph: Golden West blows out Fullerton in a 4-0 rout — Angel Campos 

Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC)

Publication Contest

1st Place

Opinion: When covering news becomes dangerous — Joe Trujillo 

Magazine Design/Layout: Winter 2025 Issue — Matthew Erboza & Dialynna Riddle 

2nd Place

Sports Action Photo: Fullerton’s soccer team blanks Santa Ana with a 1-0 win to start the regular season. — Angel Campos 

Magazine Opinion: If it’s not political, it’s not punk — Katherine Martinez & Yvesie-Plum Rider

3rd Place

Online Photo Essay: How one student is growing community roots in Fullerton’s horticulture — Nathan Cervantes 

Honorable Mention

News Feature: Matcha Madness: Investigating the Performative Male Epidemic — Sal Zinzun 

News Feature: We Keep Us Safe: How Local Organizers are Fighting Back Against Rising ICE Enforcement in Orange County — Madelyn Le 

Environmental Portrait: 80 Years After Mendez v. Westminster: Sylvia Mendez’s Mission Continues: — Julianne Villamil 

Photo Illustration: If it’s not Political, it’s not Punk — Matthew Erboza 

Photo Illustration: Matcha Madness: Investigating the Performative Male Epidemic — Matthew Erboza & Dialynna Riddle 

Magazine Cover: Winter 2025 cover — Matthew Erboza & Dialynna Riddle 

Magazine Illustration: Going The Distance — Lukas Petrina Morrison 

Meritorious

Online General Excellence: The Hornet 

Magazine General Excellence: Inside Fullerton Winter 2025 

Multimedia Journalism Package: Fullerton College Celebrates 30 years of “Dia De Los Muertos” celebrations — Nathan Cervantes, Bryan Villa, Angel Campos 

Special Recognition

Pacesetter: Hornet Media — Top Three overall publications for most awards 

JACC On-the-Spot Contests (San Francisco 2026)

2nd Place

Opinion Writing: Courtney Standley 

News Photo: Angel Campos 

Honorable Mention

Creative Portrait: Angel Campos