JCA’s IGNITE, Winner of National Tilt
JCSGO Christian Academy’s IGNITE publication dominated regional and national tilts this school year. With barely two years of campus journalism, the 20-page school paper was adjudged Best School Paper in the Philippines (Bracket A – English) at the 69th National Secondary Schools Press Conference in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, February 24, 2010.
IGNITE gathered 29 points after its Sports, Features and Literary sections bagged first-place while its Layout and Page Design were second among the best campus publications from all over the Philippines. “This is overwhelming,” said adviser Josiah Israel Albelda, who was also awarded Best School Paper Adviser of the NSPC. “Despite the trials that we encountered in the publication process, God has proven to be really good to us.” Ignite shone brightly in a 170-strong field composed of the winners from all 17 regions of the country.
NCR champions
The national competition victory came on the heels of a successful campaign at the National Capital Region level, wherein Ignite was recognized as the Best School Paper in two separate tilts. “When we finished the paper, iniwan nalang namin kay Lord ang mga contests,” Albelda added. “Well, we believed that He can do miracles and that’s just what He did.”
Ignite lorded it over the field in the 33rd Regional Secondary Schools Press Conference with an all-time high of 47 points score after finishing first in News Page, Features and Literary Page, Sports Page, Layout and Page Design and fourth in Editorial Page.
It was followed up by a brilliant performance at the 25th Teodoro Valencia Search for Outstanding Campus Publications last February 17 at the Cielito Zamora High School in Caloocan. IGNITE collected 43 points en route to the Best School Paper (Bracket A – English) crown in the annual event sponsored by the Teodoro Valencia Foundation, the Department of Education and the NCR Secondary School Paper Advisers Association.
The paper was first in News Page, first in Sports Page, first in Editorial Page, second in Features and Literary Page, eighth in Science Page and tenth in Layout and Page Design.
Not stopping there
“We are very blessed with all these victories,” said JCA principal Cynthia Genon. “Even though our school is just budding, we were able to stand tall and shine among all the educational institutions in the country by God’s grace.” Meanwhile, the Ignite staff as spearheaded by Albelda and 2010 – 11 Editor-in-Chief Danielle Nakpil, are now setting their sights on the 70th National Schools Press Conference to be held at the picturesque city of Victorias in Negros Occidental. “Of course, we are not stopping here,” Albelda shared. “With our big God by our side, there’s no question that all things are possible.” This time, IGNITE will be aiming for the top prize hand-in-hand with JCA’s newest Filipino publication, MAYANGLAWIN, which will also be vying for honors in press conferences.