Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Texas State Entry Title: Opinion: Texas State needs to rethink housing before next year Entry Credit: Andrew Hodge Judge Comment: Well-written column that seems to cover all aspects of the campus housing shortage. Pertinent quotes from resident assistants, and well-thought-out solutions are offered.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: A&M-College Station Entry Title: A modest proposal Entry Credit: Caleb Elizondo Judge Comment: Writer is familiar with the campus issue and makes his point well in a satirical way. He effectively goes a few grafs before it’s obvious it is satire. Well-written.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: UT-Arlington Entry Title: University Center name change Entry Credit: Mark Napieralski Judge Comment: Well-constructed column supporting a change in the University Center name and removal of the past president’s bust. The column cites apparently extensive research on the school’s history. Well done.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: A&M-College Station Entry Title: The tragedy of the Class of 2024 photo Entry Credit: Robert O'Brien Judge Comment: Funny, well-written description of a messed-up photo shoot. A topic that doesn’t sound too interesting is made compelling by the gradual revelation of what happened. Small thing: It’s “all right,” not “alright.”
Competition Comment: The general column category shows several well-researched opinions and also some poignant personal reflections. Good writing is coming out of Texas universities.
