Sul Ross students attend TIPA convention in Dallas

ALPINE Five Sul Ross State University students and news and publications news writer Jason Hennington attended the annual Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) convention April 8-11 in Dallas.

Sul Ross representatives were photographers Ivonne Arellano, Tornillo, and Sara Schultz, Burleson; news writer Sharoya Hall, San Antonio; cartoonist Jonathan Smith, Galveston; and campus radio personality Dominic Leal, Dallas.

Sul Ross students won several awards in the annual mail-in competition, most by The Sage literary magazine. Jessica Morgan, Brownsville, won first place in the illustration competition for her creation, "Nunca Olvides;" and Maria Jose Leyva, Presidio, won a third place award for "Maria."

The Sage placed second in overall excellence.

Receiving literary competition honorable mention awards were: feature story, Paul Stocumb, Alpine, "Crouching Tuna;" short story, Landon Moore, Bangs, "Into The Face;" feature photo, Robert Brotherton, Sanderson, "Truck;" and cover design, Brian Mireles, San Antonio, "Sage."

Leal and Kimberly Morrow, Alpine, received honorable mention in radio competition for a public service announcement for the Alpine Valley Care Center.

At the TIPA convention, each Sul Ross student competed in a live competition with students from other Texas universities. Arellano, Hall, and Leal were attending their first TIPA convention. Schultz also attended last year and Smith is a three-time participant.

 "TIPA was an experience that I will never forget," Leal said. "Not only did I get to compete representing Sul Ross State University and Sul Ross Campus Radio, but I also got to meet and hang out with a great group of individuals."

 "All and all, TIPA was a success. I would like to give a special thank-you to Keith West for preparing and encouraging us (to attend)," Leal said.

Arellano praised Hennington for helping her prepare for the live competition.

 "He helped me a lot and motivated me," she said. "I didn't know what to expect. It was a great experience. I learned a lot and I'm looking forward to next year."

Smith said his continued participation has helped him as an editorial cartoonist.
"It was fun and educational and a chance to see what they (other schools) are doing," Schultz said.

Hennington has attended several TIPA conventions, first as a student journalist. "Everyone seemed to have fun and learned a lot from the experience," he said. "I feel like they all are more motivated in trying to help the progression of The Skyline and the campus radio station since the competition."