CT Society of Professional Journalists Awards NVCC’s Tamarack Newspaper Six Excellence in Journalism Awards
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NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D., commented on the announcement of awards. “This is just wonderful! I am grateful for your outstanding leadership and the focus on social issues. The fact that The Tamarack has embraced civic engagement and has produced articles recognized for their originality and excellence is commendable. I am bursting with gratitude and pride.”
The Tamarack faculty advisor, Steven Parlato, NVCC Professor of English commented. “I am especially proud because the works chosen reflect The Tamarack’s commitment to issues that really matter. This year, my last as faculty advisor, our writers took SIX awards in the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists Collegiate Contest!”
The 2020 winners are:
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Nicole Hayes: 2nd Place in the special COVID-19 Reporting category. In her piece, “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” Nicole examined how systemic racism has amplified the pandemic’s tragic impact on communities of color (May 2020).
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Kathleen Chesto: 1st Place in Editorial/Op-ed for “Be a Man about It,” a discussion of how sexism taints the English language (Dec. 2019).
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Alexander Wilson: 3rd Place in Editorial/Op-ed for “The New Nazis?” equating ICE patrols and the caging of children with Hitler’s SS (Sept. 2019).
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Anjelika Rodis: 3rd Place Feature for “Beyond the Margins,” a powerful front-page piece on the link between homelessness and addiction in Greater Waterbury (Dec. 2019).
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Alexander Wilson: 1st Place Column for “Queer Code: Transgender Day of Remembrance,” a stirring call for an end to violence against trans individuals (Nov. 2019).
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Jessica Ney: 3rd Place Column for “That’s What She Said: The Little Feminist that Could,” a tribute to Greta Thunberg and a call to support and encourage our young girls and boys to be their best, most inclusive and empathetic selves (Dec. 2019).
Professor Parlato noted. “While these six were officially recognized—and the honor is well-deserved—there were so many other really excellent pieces written in academic year 2019-2020, works equally worthy of praise, that, as always, I extend congratulations to my entire incredible staff! It’s been a blessing to work with each of them.”
In a final farewell, Parlato expressed confidence in his successor, Professor Chris Rempfer. “Thank you for your support. As I step away from my role as advisor, I’m thrilled with this latest success, but also a little torn, as the state of this nation—and, indeed, our world—shows there’s still so much work to do. I’m pleased to know our newspaper will be in the capable hands of Professor Chris Rempfer. Wishing you and the newspaper continued success, Chris.”
Professor Chris Rempfer, who will take over advising privileges for the newspaper in the fall, says he's been a big fan of these award-winning writers for several semesters. "Their collective voices as writers and columnists reflect the high caliber of thought and engagement at NVCC. As a reader, I continually learn from their reporting, their passion, and their perspective."
