Read All About it! Quo Vadis Newspaper Earns 15 Statewide Awards

The Middlesex College Quo Vadis newspaper staff earned 15 statewide awards, including five first place honors, in the 2024-2025 New Jersey Press Association (NJPA) College Newspapers contest.

Included in the list is first place for the prestigious general excellence award, first place in layout and design, and second place for the paper’s website.

“We have a small program, so whenever we are able to get these many awards shows the hard work and dedication of some of our students,” said Quo Vadis Faculty Advisor Melissa Edwards. “It also creates a legacy for our journalists. This is something that can help launch yourself when you go to a new school and you can show you have these awards.”

The contest has 10 individual categories – three online and two newspaper. Each college news team may submit a total of up to 38 possible entries per newspaper.

Middlesex College graduating senior Trinity Dunn earned or shared nine different awards in a variety of subjects.

“I am proud of the example she has set,” Edwards said. “She came to Middlesex the summer before she even had a class here and contacted me. Before she even took a journalism class, she became part of the staff and started her career.”

Here’s the full list of awards:

First Place, General Excellence

“September 4 & September 18 editions” by Sean Huey Melido, Erin Hellhake, Trinity Dunn

First Place, Layout & Design

“May 1, 2024 and November 27, 2024 editions” by Trinity Dunn, Sean Huey Melido, Erin Hellhake, Nolan MacFadyen

First Place, News Writing

“Middlesex College Gets a $1.2 Million Arts Grant; Wi-Fi Renovations Arrive on Campus” by Erin Hellhake

First Place, Column/Opinion Writing

“Social Media Impacts College Students Health” by Trinity Dunn

First Place, Web Project

Instagram by Trinity Dunn

Second Place, Overall Website

Trinity Dunn, Nolan MacFayden, Marquis Pullins, Ridha Mirza

Second Place, Arts and Entertainment/Critical Writing

“Grab a Quick Bite to Eat in South Amboy; Taste of Latin Comfort Food in Sayreville” by Nolan MacFadyen

Second Place, Photography

“College Community Engages in Student Fair; Harvest Takes Over College” by Trinity Dunn

Second Place, Sports Writing

“Life Lessons and Volleyball Drama Collide in ‘Haikyu!!’ by Sean Huey Melido

Third Place, Editorial Writing

“ICE Raids and Deportations Cause a Disruption” by Ridha Mirza, Hina Naqvi, Sandra Milton-Rodriguez

Third Place, Enterprise/Investigative Reporting

“Track and Field Track Coach’s Contract Not Renewed Due to Track and Field Cut” by Marquis  Pullins,  Trinity Dunn, Erin Hellhake, Nolan MacFadyen

Third Place, Feature Writing

“College Partners with RWJ for Blood Drive” by Ellen Kwon

Third Place, News Writing

“Get Bus Tickets; College Enters 2025 With Changes and Looks Ahead” by Trinity Dunn

Third Place, Photography

“Women’s Soccer Team Prepares for the Season//Woodbridge Celebrates Jazz Festival” by Nolan MacFadyen

Third Place, Web Project

“With the role that women play in politics, do you think that America will ever be ready to elect a female president?” by Trinity Dunn

Learn more about the Quo Vadis news here: https://www.quovadisnewspaper.com/