The student newspaper of Bucks County Community College, called The Centurion, has achieved a remarkable feat by winning 22 awards in the 2024 Student Keystone Media Awards competition in Pennsylvania. These awards include first place in categories such as general news, public service/enterprise reporting, sportswriting, and video news.
The Centurion has been recognized with over 180 awards since 2010, making it one of the most acclaimed student newspapers in Pennsylvania. The awards this year were in recognition of the work done during the spring and fall 2023 semesters. While the paper is mainly produced by students in the College’s journalism program, students from other majors are also encouraged to participate.
The Student Keystone Media Awards are managed by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, with The Centurion competing in Division III for two-year colleges.
Raeanne Raccagno, who is a 20-year-old journalism major and the editor-in-chief of The Centurion, expressed her goal for the paper to cover a wide range of topics. She communicated this to the staff, who responded positively. Additionally, new content such as comics, more column writing, and word games were added to the paper in the current academic year.
Raccagno mentioned that the paper is still working on attracting readers on campus, as many students seem unaware of its existence. She emphasized the paper's role in keeping students informed about campus events.
Raccagno also highlighted the impressive departments and experienced professors at Bucks, stating that they all deserve to have their stories told.
Tony Rogers, the journalism professor at Bucks and the paper’s faculty advisor, acknowledged the challenging year at the College, with events like environmental contaminants being discovered in campus buildings and the College president's sudden resignation. He expressed pride in the professionalism demonstrated by the students in covering these events and others.
The Centurion's website is located at bucks-news.com and its Instagram handle is @centurion_bucks. The paper is distributed across the College’s three campuses in Newtown, Bristol, and Perkasie, and it operates independently.
For more information about The Centurion or the College’s journalism program, visit bucks.edu/journalism or email [email protected].
The awards will be presented during an awards luncheon on April 11 in Harrisburg. A complete list of the award winners follows:
General News – First Place: The Centurion Environmental Findings in Campus Buildings Spark Concerns and Class Changes, Raeanne Raccagno
General News – Second Place: The Centurion Bucks County DA Sues Social Media Firms, Raeanne Raccagno
Ongoing News Coverage – First Place: The Centurion Environmental Concerns On- and Off-Campus Christian Grosso, Leila Kelley & Raeanne Raccagno
Public Service/Enterprise Package – First Place: The Centurion Environmental Findings in Campus Buildings Spark Concerns and Class Changes, Raeanne Raccagno
Public Service/Enterprise Package – Second Place: The Centurion Forever Tainted – How PFAS Pollutes Some of Bucks County’s Drinking Water, Christian Grosso
A story taking top prize: The Centurion SEPTA aims to update its old public transit system, by Christian Grosso
Recognized for excellence: The Centurion 'Never Forget,' A Visit to the 9/11 Memorial And Museum, by Christian Grosso
A top profile: The Centurion Creator of Bucks’ Nursing Program Advocates Continuous Kindness, by Raeanne Raccagno
The Centurion New Bucks Provost Faces Challenges Following Ganther’s Resignation, by Madison Kifolo
Winning sports story: The Centurion Bucks Women’s Basketball ready to bounce back after tough last season, by Chris Lopez
Placing second in sports: The Centurion Men’s Basketball Struggling; Aims to Make a Comeback, by Chris Lopez
Notable sports story: The Centurion Bucks Men’s Basketball Team Claims ESAC Championship Title, by Raeanne Raccagno
Top column: The Centurion Philadelphia 76ers Trade James Harden to LA Clippers; Bucks’ Softball Team Comes Back Swinging, by Daulton Parry
Second place column: The Centurion Attention Ghostface Fans… New 'Scream' Video Game in Development; Hold on to Your Golden Ticket?! by Raymundo 'Ralph' Varela-Urizar
First place review: The Centurion ZTSD Punk Bash Rocks Fishtown, by Colt Gunn
Award-winning cartoon/illustration: The Centurion Dog Life parts 1, 2 and 3, by Connor Sturza
Top feature photo: The Centurion Therapy Dogs Visit Bucks, by Jesse Fischer
Leading photo story: The Centurion 'Never Forget,' A Visit To The 9/11 Memorial And Museum, by Christian Grosso
First place website: The Centurion by Raeanne Raccagno, Raymundo 'Ralph' Varela-Urizar, Colin Riccardi, Megan Pizarro, Parker DeStefano & Christian Grosso
Award-winning video story: The Centurion Changes to Septa Bus Routes, by Christian Grosso
Runner-up video story: The Centurion Andy’s Brick Shop is Building Success, by Parker DeStefano
Notable video story: The Centurion Sixers Fans Excited About Playoffs, by Evan Boyle
