El Camino College Student Journalism Program Wins Top Awards

El Camino College journalism students were recently recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) for exemplary work. A “Best Website” award was given to eccunion.com in the organization’s Region 11 competition, which put El Camino up against university and community college journalism programs in Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada and the Mariana Islands.

The Union was also named one of three finalists for best all-around student newspaper on a large campus, while Editor-in-Chief Nikki Yunker was selected a finalist for best illustration for art that accompanied an opinion story in the fall 2024 Warrior Life magazine.

The Society of Professional Journalists describes itself as “the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry through the daily work of its thousands of members; works to inspire and educate current and future journalists through professional development; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press through its advocacy efforts.”

The California News Publishers Association also awarded Yunker’s illustration a first-place award. Other winners include Eddy Cermeno, third place, feature photo; Jeremiah Dela Cruz, fifth place, illustration; and Delfino Camacho, fifth place, feature writing.

The Union and Warrior Life are produced entirely by students enrolled in journalism classes.