Team San Juan wins awards in Regional Press Writing Tilts
The year 2015 marks a fresh start for Journalism in DepEd San Juan as the team won awards from the recently concluded 36th Metro Manila Young Writers Press Conference and Contests (Elementary Level) and the 39th Regional Secondary Press Conference (High School Level) held last December 5, 2015 at Highway Hills Integrated School and Mandaluyong Elementary School respectively. This annual activity is anchored upon Republic Act (RA) No. 7079, also known as the Campus Journalism Act of 1991 which essentially advocates responsible journalistic writing to promote social consciousness among the youth. This is also in response to the challenge to develop learners who are critical thinkers and can add value to human life with evidences of attitude, skills, and engagements in whatever community they may find themselves in.
Nina Ricci Lozano, high school student of Dominican College, bagged the first place in News writing English category with Ms. Criselda Pengson as her trainer, besting all other participants in the 16 divisions of NCR. This qualified her to join the National Schools Press Conference slated on February 22-26, 2016 at Koronadal City, South Cotabato.
DepEd San Juan likewise recognizes the other winners in the different categories which are listed below:
Elementary Level
Secondary Level
This would not have been possible if not for the collaborative efforts of the students, school paper advisers, parents, school heads, administrators, supervisors, support staff and other stakeholders who saw to it that trainings were given to prepare all the delegates to give it their best shot.
This year was a witness to a number of initiatives adopted to revamp the enthusiasm of participants. Through the leadership of OIC-SDS Dr. Jenilyn Rose B. Corpuz, a writing boot camp was organized to screen potential writers two months before the actual contests. This gave way for certain private schools to join the activities for the first time in so many years, a feat in itself as it strengthened the partnership among the schools. DepEd San Juan appreciated the warm response of Tabernacle Faith Christian Academy, Fountain International School, Community of Learners Foundation, and Vibrance Learning Academy as these schools joined the ranks of the contest staples, Dominican College and Aquinas School. Their presence added dynamics to the healthy competition in the Division level contests.
Journalism supervisors, Eulafel C. Pascual and Marnelli A. Bautista, invited award-winning trainers from the field and the industry to conduct quality training-workshops that put premium to the very essence of campus journalism beyond the pressure of the press writing tilts. Participants were made to appreciate the role they do as vanguards of truth not only during contest seasons but all-year round whenever and wherever they may go.
Joseph E. Villegas and Erlinda A. Reyes, presidents of the Division Association of School Paper Advisers in the Elementary and Secondary Levels respectively, helped facilitated the needed communication in the regional conduct of contests. Both attended significant meetings in the past few weeks which organized the operation of the team so as to ensure compliance with the guidelines. This allowed strong camaraderie among the advisers as they geared up for the preparations in their assigned area of specialization. A lot of activities are in process to equip teachers with the necessary competence to handle journalism classes. Students are also given writing tasks during school programs so as to provide practical applications of their learning. This will deepen their appreciation for their craft should they pursue a career out of it in the future.
Article written by:
Marnelli A. Bautista
Education Program Supervisor in English/Journalism
