Willamette’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1889:
Your College, Your Paper, Your Stories
THE
Awards
2025 Collegiate Newspaper Contest
(hosted by ONPA – Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association)
Best Sports Story- 3rd place
The article describes how the university's chess club has been revived after a period of inactivity. It focuses on the enthusiasm of students for chess, which was partly awakened during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The piece also features quotes from the club members and organizers, where they talk about their goals for creating a welcoming community for players of all skill levels. The meetings are described as casual but competitive. The article also talks about future plans where they plan on holding tournaments and connecting to chess clubs of other universities to foster community engagement.
Best News Story- 2nd place
The article covers the peaceful student protest of Willamette University in May 2024. The occupation was led by the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), in which students demanded transparency and urged Willamette to disclose and divest from investments related to the US defense industry. The article captured the tension and dialogue of activism and institutional accountability. The article stood out because of its clarity, good ratio of balanced sources, as well as the contribution to documenting a defining moment for student advocacy at Willamette.
Best Editorial (Opinions Story)
https://www.willamettecollegian.com/post/not-so-pretty-in-pink-why-victoria-s-secret-s-progressive-rebrand-will-never-be-successful
The article describes Victoria's Secret's 2024 attempt at a progressive rebrand after
years of controversy and scandals. Even though the brand claimed to have its fashion shows with greater diversity, inclusivity, and an all-female music lineup, the article debates that these changes feel performative than genuine. It also digs deeper into how the company's history of exploitation and body shaming doesn't align with its newfound feminist messaging, which shows her how customers see through that "woke rebrand."
Best Editorial (Opinions Story)
- 3rd place
The article by Maisy Clunies-Ross presents a critique of BookTok's cultural impact. This piece also talks about how this platform has inspired people to be involved in literature and has created a supportive space for women's self-expression and empowerment, while also talking about overconsumption, elitism, and the reduction of critical engagement within the online reading communities. The piece calls for a more reflective, aware, and socially conscious approach to engage with the media. It also encourages us to consider BookTok as a site of empowerment and also something that we should view critically.
Best Graphic- 3rd place
https://www.willamettecollegian.com/post/opinion-indivisible-with-liberty-and-instagram-for-all-politics-in-the-internet-age
The article explores social media and technology and how they have reshaped modern politics. The piece looks at the evolution of the medium of communication for politics, starting from newspapers to the internet, where it highlights the rise of satire, TikTok, misinformation, algorithm-driven echo chambers, as well as AI-generated content. This has drastically changed the political landscape of today's world. The piece touches on both the humor and the harm of online political culture and calls for media literacy and critical engagement in navigating the digital era of politics.
Best Website- 3rd place