BROOKLYN PARK — Two Rochester Community and Technical College Echo students were honored Thursday at the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.
Mark Fantonial placed first the Information Graphics-Graphic Illustration category for his illustration “Due Today!” that accompanied a column about how a checklist helps students complete daily tasks.
“This piece is just fantastic,” the judges wrote. “The artist has shown absolute talent in art and design, and understands well how to communicate emotion. Bravo!”
Boyum
Faith Boyum placed second in the Business Story category. The story, headlined “Support, leadership ‘got us back on our feet,’” explained how RCTC’s Dental Hygiene program adapted to curriculum changes caused by COVID-19 safety measures.
Fantonial served as a graphic artist for The Echo, RCTC’s student newspaper. Boyum was The Echo’s managing editor during the 2020-21 academic year.
“Faith and Mark were rock stars during a difficult year,” said faculty adviser Marissa Gentling. “The COVID pandemic put a lot of obstacles in our path, but they soldiered on and made it a rewarding experience for everyone on staff.”
The awards ceremony was held Thursday, Jan. 27, at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park. The collegiate division of the MNA Better Newspaper Contest includes student journalists from both four-year universities and two-year community colleges.