Paola Falquez
Social Media Editor
Broward College’s student newspaper, The Observer, has achieved a remarkable milestone this past year by winning eight awards that highlight the publication’s commitment to quality journalism and creative excellence. These accolades not only celebrate the hard work of the Observer team but also recognize their significant contributions to campus life and the broader community. Recognizing Excellence Among the eight awards earned by The Observer in 2024, several stand out for their impact:
•First place, general column, Keynaya Thompson
•Second place, design, Observer staff
•Second place, headlines, Observer staff
•Second place, news story, David Gonzalez
•Second place, arts review, Andrea Iriarte
•Third place, sports column, Jordan Stephenson
•Third place, illustration, Observer staff
•Third place, General excellence, Observer staff These honors reflect the diverse talent and dedication of the Observer staff, showcasing the paper’s ability to cover a wide range of topics—from compelling news and sports columns to impactful arts reviews and visually creative illustrations. A Tradition of Excellence First published in the late 1980s, The Observer has been a significant presence at Broward College, evolving alongside the institution while maintaining its core mission of serving the campus community. Over the years, the newspaper has gone by different names at each campus, reflecting the changing landscape of student journalism. Despite these shifts, The Observer has remained a role in keeping students informed and connected. Its commitment to highlighting the issues that matter most to students has solidified its place as an important voice at Broward College. Advisor Jennifer Shapiro, who has guided The Observer for over two decades, praised the students for their achievements. “I’m always proud of the Observer students. They work hard to publish a quality publication, so it’s nice to be recognized with multiple awards,” she said. Campus Community In addition to publishing the newspaper, The Observer has a strong sense of community through its weekly meetings, held every Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at the North Campus, with an option to attend online. These meetings are an opportunity for staff to come together, discuss new article ideas, share feedback, and collaborate on upcoming projects. The Observer also offers a workshop series on a variety of topics in the journalism field in which professionals in the field of journalism and communications speak about their careers. Some recent speakers from the workshop series included Brittany Wallman from the Miami-Herald, who won a Pulitzer Prize while working at the Sun-Sentinel on the work she did about the Parkland shooting. Additionally, Terrell Jenkins from UF’s College of Journalism and Communications spoke about the opportunities UF’s College of Journalism and Communications offers. The sessions play a crucial role in building teamwork and encouraging open communication among students, ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard as they contribute to the newspaper’s success. Through this collaborative environment, The Observer continues to nurture a tight-knit community of student journalists who work together to create a publication that reflects their collective ideas and talents.
The Impact of Student Journalism
The success of The Observer underscores the important role student journalism plays in fostering creativity, critical thinking, and storytelling. Through its dedication to reporting, The Observer has become an influential voice on campus, amplifying the concerns and perspectives of Broward College students. As The Observer continues to thrive, its accomplishments serve as an inspiring example for the next generation of reporters, editors, and creators. The newspaper’s success speaks to the talent, passion, and hard work of its student staff, and its continued excellence will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on both the college community and the field of journalism. For more information about The Observer or to get involved, visit The Observer Website.
caption: Keynaya Thompson. Photo courtesy of The Observer