Quo Vadis Staff Make Headlines Again at NJPA College Newspaper Awards

Once again, the Middlesex College Quo Vadis newspaper staff grabbed the headlines in the 2025-2026 New Jersey Press Association (NJPA) College Newspaper Contest, earning 18 awards including seven first-place honors.

The College also took home the coveted Sweepstakes Award, which is an award for the top two-year college newspaper that involves tallying points of all winning entries in the various individual NJPA award categories. Based on winning entries, Quo Vadis earned the highest number of points to take the crown for top community college newspaper of 2025-2026, beating out all the other community colleges that participate in NJPA. All two-year colleges are members and are eligible.

“It is particularly notable that we participated in all available digital journalism categories: website, online video, and web project,” said Quo Vadis Faculty Advisor Melissa Edwards. “Judges do not have to select winners in categories where all entries are subpar, yet Quo Vadis received first place for all three of our digital storytelling efforts.  Creating digital journalistic projects aligns with our long-term goal of updating our journalism program and making it a robust option for students seeking a strong foundation in a dynamic, forward-looking program that equips students with a strong foundation for future success in new media with a journalistic focus.”

“I feel very good winning the award,” said Marquis Pullins Jr., who earned first place for his sports coverage. “I have my own sports podcast too, and an award like this shows that I am on the right path to be in the sports media business.”

The NJPA awards include first place for the Quo Vadis website and first place in layout and design for the second straight year, this year earned by Trinity Dunn ’25 and Ridha Mizra.

“This year I was thrilled to see our staff get recognized in so many diverse categories and styles of writing,” said Edwards. “We have a growing program that continues to put together outstanding work that covers all big and small aspects of our community.”

“The past two years have been the greatest experience in my school career,” said Pullins Jr. “Dr. Edwards is tough on you, but she’s honest. She pushes you to be the best you can and produce good stories. I hope in the future she sees me on ESPN.”

The contest has 10 individual categories. Each college news team may submit a total of up to 38 entries.

Mizra earned or shared five different awards, including a pair of first-place honors in a variety of subjects.

“For two semesters, she was one of the strongest writers and leaders on the paper,” said Edwards of Mizra. “It doesn’t surprise me at all that she got the payoff of this many awards.”

Here’s the full list of awards won by the Quo Vadis staff:

2025-2026 New Jersey Press Association College Newspaper Contest Results

First place, Overall Website

2025-26 Quo Vadis Staff

First place, Online Video

“Quo Vadis Sports” by Marquis Pullins Jr.

First place, Biography/Personality Profile

“Badaway Transforms Struggles Into Success”; “Student Athlete Plans to Mentor Youth Through Volleyball Club” by Ridha Mizra

First place, Editorial Writing

“Social Media Distorts Teen Self-Image” by Jahzara Bryant, Daylin Arellano, Daniel Gonzalez, Uziel Alache

First place, Online Web Project

“Students Explore East Jersey Old Town Village” by Trinity Dunn ’25

First place, Layout and Design

Trinity Dunn ’25, Ridha Mizra

Second place, General Excellence

Trinity Dunn ’25, Ridha Mizra

Second place, News Writing

“Assembly Discusses ICE Concerns, Music Course Meeting Brings Insight About ICE Limitations and New Songwriting Course”; “Students Named Coca-Cola Leaders: Amani Harris and Bill Kawaka Awarded Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarships” by Ridha Mizra

Second place, Sports Writing

“Soccer Team Wins Against Ranked Team”; “College Builds Stadium: Project Modernizes Athletics and Creates Opportunities” by Uziel Alache

Second place, Biography/Personality Profile

“Chef Katelyn Burns Elevates Pastry Excellence with Creativity” by Stacey Rosales

Second place, Editorial Writing

“Tech Industry Sacrifices Sustainability to Advance AI” by Marro Hawkins II, Trinity Dunn ’25, Hina Naqvi ’25

Second place, Feature Writing

“Princeton: Lively Streets and Historic Buildings”; “Experience Convenient Traveling and Seasonal Beauty with Edison” by Ridha Mirza

Third place, Column/Opinion Writing

“Cultural Stigma Challenges Student Seeking Support” by Daylin Arellano

Third place, Feature Writing

“Wildflowers Brighten Chimney Rock’s Paths”; “Trendsetters Embrace Bold Looks for Spring” by Catherine Warrington

Third place, News Writing

“Construction Starts: Middlesex County and the College Break Ground on New Buildings”; “College Joins NJBioFutures: New Coalition Forms Pathway to NJ Cell and Gene Therapy Sector” by Trinity Dunn ’25

Third place, Photography

“Women’s Soccer Midfielder Commits to Rosemont College”; “Colts Baseball Opens Conference Play”; “Men’s Volleyball Falls to Union College”; “Colts Split Doubleheader in Raritan Valley” by Nolan MacFadyen ’25

Third place, Sports Writing

“Colts Baseball Opens Season Against Suffolk County”; “Colts Baseball Claim First Victory of Season to Close Out Opening Day” by Nolan MacFadyen ’25