Members of Tyler Junior College’s student media, The DrumBeat, recently attended the Texas Community College Journalism Association Conference where they were recognized as some of the top student jou
While attending the conference at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TJC student journalists competed against their peers in live contests and attended workshops to learn more about journalism. Bethany McWilliams, a TJC student from Kilgore, received second place in headline writing, and Hanon Kobayashi, a TJC student from Japan, received honorable mention for an editorial illustration.
“I was surprised to hear that I won second in the live competition,” McWilliams said. “Being part of the student media team at TJC has been such a positive experience. I have been able to share my interests in music and promote the communities I enjoy.”
The DrumBeat Student Media is a student organization on campus open to all majors. During the semester, students report campus news across multiple platforms. The DrumBeat produces a newspaper, online news, social media content and a live broadcast on YouTube.
“It’s definitely been an honor to be editor-in-chief. I’m learning so much every day. Not just about journalism, but about myself and what I’m capable of,” said Baleigh Davis, the Fall 2024 editor-in-chief of The DrumBeat. “Every challenge I face teaches me more about both, and I’m finding more and more that the lessons and skills I learn while being a part of The DrumBeat transfer into the rest of my life in the best ways. I’ve grown so much, and I’m so grateful.”
At TCCJA, publications from community colleges across Texas submit student work from the previous year to compete in the previously published contest. Content is judged by industry professionals.
TJC’s The DrumBeat Student Media placed in several categories including first place in audio news, headline writing, and column writing. Students also won awards for their visual media coverage, which included portraits, advertising, illustrations and video production.
Previously submitted contest entries:
First Place
Column Writing – Marissa Krnavek
Headline Writing – Marissa Kranvek, Brady Acevedo
Audio News – Baleigh Davis
Second Place
Open Audio Production – Madison Munsinger
Audio News – Madison Munsinger
Third Place
Sports feature writing – Christopher McFarland
Advertising (Single Ad) – Taylor Thompson
Non-photographic Illustration – Baleigh Davis
Headline Writing - Marissa Kranvek, Baleigh Davis
Open Audio Production – Baleigh Davis
Picture Page Panel/Slideshow – Garrison Nichols
Open Video Production – DrumBeat Staff
Honorable Mention
Environmental Portrait – Savanna Benner
Video Sports – Grace Stone
Multimedia Package – Bethany McWilliams
Open Video Production – DrumBeat Staff
Students, listed by hometown, include:
Bullard: Garrison Nichols, Taylor Thompson
Canton: Brady Acevedo
Chapel Hill: Catalaya Demarco
Grand Saline: Victoria Olivares
Kilgore: Bethany McWilliams
Mesquite: Baleigh Davis
Pewaukee, Wisconsin: Imogen Brown
Troup: Grace Stone
Tyler: Savanna Benner, Christopher McFarland
Valley Mills: Marissa Krnavek