The staff of The Rattler, St. Mary’s University’s student-run news publication, won 17 awards April 10-12 at the 2014 Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) convention.

The Rattler won first place for Overall Excellence in its division of student newspapers published bi-weekly or less frequently.

Editor-in-Chief Stela Khury, a senior majoring in English Communication Arts, was awarded the Frank Buckley Scholarship.

For on-site contests, Layout and Design Editor Rachel Grahmann, a senior English Communication Arts major, took second place in yearbook design and third place in magazine design. Assistant Photo Editor Kyra Littlejohn, a junior English Communication Arts major, placed second in feature photo. Commentary Editor Emily Artalejo, a senior International Relations major, won honorable mention for editorial writing.

About 500 participants from nearly 50 Texas colleges and universities attended the convention at the El Tropicano Hotel in San Antonio.

The Rattler’s awards include:
Individual Overall Excellence
Frank Buckley Scholarship: Stela Khury, editor-in-chief

On-Site Contests
Second Place, Yearbook Design: Rachel Grahmann
Second Place, Feature Photo: Kyra Littlejohn
Third Place, Magazine Design: Rachel Grahmann
Honorable Mention, Editorial Writing: Emily Artalejo

Previously-Published Contests
Newspaper Division 5 (published bi-weekly or less, with enrollment in lower half of all entries)
First Place
Photo Illustration: Adriana Avila and Liliana Espinoza (How to combat Thanksgiving Day homesickness)
Illustration: Angela Engle (Oyster Bake, front cover)
Sports News Story: Sara E. Flores (Alumni return to play in new stadium)
Page One Design: Carla Rodriguez (Issue 9, 10.23.2013)

Second Place
Critical Review: Stela Khury (Five reasons you should listen to Night Vale)

Third Place
Sports Page Design: Sara E. Flores (Issue 11, 11.20.2013)
Infographic: Carla Rodriguez (Texas Textbooks)

Honorable Mention
Editorial Design: Emily Artalejo (Issue 10, 11.06.2013)
Special Section: Adriana Avila (Our favorite hellos and hardest goodbyes)
Sports Feature Story: Sara E. Flores (Coaches manage being parents both on and off the field)
Sports Action Photo: Danielle Vargas (Team regroups, charges forward in conference play)

Brother Dennis R. Bautista, S.M., Ph.D., is the faculty adviser for The Rattler.

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