Once again taking home the most awards, Southern Adventist University applauds the nine students, alumni, and faculty members who earned accolades at the creative competition held during the Society of Adventist Communicators (SAC) Convention, just outside of Chicago, Illinois, in October.

“Southern’s ongoing success in the contest is a tribute to the work done within our classrooms and beyond,” says Stephen Ruf, professor in the School of Journalism and Communication (SJC).

Student winners include Raquel Lazcano, junior psychology major, for journalistic photography; Preston Waters, senior marketing major, for journalistic photography and short film; Lesieli Savelio, senior public relations and international studies major, along with alumni Lauren Fenwick and Valeria Izaguirre for campaign design; alum Amanda Blake, last year’s student newspaper editor, for news writing; and Steven Hansen, sophomore media technology major, along with Derek Aubin, junior mass communication major, for web video. Andrew Boggess, senior mass communication major, received a student honorable mention for journalistic photography.

In the professional short film category, winners were SJC professor Pablo Fernandez, his wife and Southern's Master of Social Work program manager Lísye Fernandez, their middle-school-aged son Eduardo Fernandez, and Rich Aguilera (attended). SJC professor Alva James-Johnson received an honorable mention for news writing.

SJC dean Rachel Williams-Smith shares: “These awards not only reflect the high level of quality and creativity they consistently produce but also underscore how Southern is preparing students to excel in their careers. Opportunities like this, where our students can engage with industry professionals and showcase their work, are invaluable in shaping their future successes.”