General News ( Division 4)
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- Place Name: First Place
Contestant Name: A&M-San Antonio - The Mesquite
Entry Title: A&M-San Antonio debuts Distinguished Lecture Series with journalism stalwart John Quiñones
Entry Credit: Saile Aranda, Amber Esparza
Judge Comment: Solid article.
Well sourced.
Didn't notice any obvious opinions.
A few AP Style Inconsistencies and Errors
Occasional passive voice, and some wordiness.
- Place Name: Second Place
Contestant Name: St. Edward's University
Entry Title: Ancient seeds, new roots: Cherokee corn thrives at St. Edward’s University’s food forest
Entry Credit: Nicole Williams Quezada
Judge Comment: Strong cultural and historical context adds depth to the piece
Well-supported with expert and student voices, providing diverse perspectives
Effectively explains sustainable agriculture concepts
Some sections contain opinionated or editorialized phrasing that could be made more neutral with proper attribution
Statements on food security and environmental resilience should have additional sourcing to support claims
Some broad claims about heirloom crops vs. GMO crops need more expert attribution
- Place Name: Third Place
Contestant Name: St. Edward's University
Entry Title: Campus food forest fosters community, offers number of opportunities through regenerative agriculture
Entry Credit: Dalia Zamora
Judge Comment: Strong narrative structure that explains both the history and function of the food forest
Well-supported with expert and student voices, making it informative and engaging
Incorporates scientific and environmental concepts effectively
Highlights community impact and accessibility in a meaningful way
Some general statements (e.g., "Texas’ soil is vastly dry during droughts") could use expert attribution
The article occasionally strays into informal or conversational phrasing that could be more precise
AP Style inconsistencies (titles, punctuation, and minor grammar refinements needed)
- Place Name: Honorable Mention
Contestant Name: Northeast Texas Commmunity College
Entry Title: TCOLE certifies NTCC Police Department
Entry Credit: Keaslie Monroe
Judge Comment: Strong use of authoritative sources (NTCC President and Police Chief) adds credibility
Clearly explains the hybrid security model and transition plan
Effectively conveys why the police department was created
Some sections could be more structured for better readability
Lacks broader context on campus policing trends or comparisons to similar colleges
Minor AP Style inconsistencies (titles, punctuation, and quote formatting)
- Competition Comment: Very close for places 2,3 and HM.
Better attribution and minor opinion placement in any of them might have changed the outcome.
