Broward College’s student publications – The Observer student newspaper and literary arts magazine – recently took home a number of awards during the recent 64^th Annual Florida College Systems Press Association (FCSPA) Conference, held in Daytona, Florida.

The Observer won:

• First Place, General Column, Yestin Arvin Gochuico;
• First Place, Editorial, Gabriella Small and Scarlett Pullido;
• Second Place, Illustration, Yestin Arvin Gochuico
• Third Place, News Photo, Keynaya Thompson;
• Third Place, Headlines, Observer Staff;
• Third Place, Sports Column, Jordan Stephenson; and
• Third Place, Arts Review, Ryan Marin.

Panku took home:

• First Place, Photography, Spring issue, Karin Lee and Briana Martin;
• First Place, Cover, Spring issue, Kristin Alcorn;
• First Place, Art Work (individual), Spring issue, Ignacio Beroiz;
• Second Place, Staff Page, Fall issue, Natasha Gonzalez.
• Second Place, Poetry, Fall issue, Orionis A.R. Elder and Angie Mejia Sierra;
• Third place, Poem, Fall issue, Laissa Senatus; Third Place, Art Works, Fall issue, Ami Amor Bergeron, Salina Amir-Zadah-Shams and Igacio Beroiz;
• Third Place, Two-Page Spread Design, Fall issue, P’an Ku Staff; and
• Third Place Contents Page, Fall issue, Natasha Gonzalez.

“The entire team is very proud to be part of Panku's award-winning tradition,” said Marjetta Geerling, Panku’s advisor and Broward College English professor.

Geerling and the Panku students are gearing up for the launch party of the 60^th anniversary edition of the magazine from 6 - 8 p.m. Thursday, April 18 at the College’s Central Campus, 3501 Davie Rd, Davie (building 17, room 425) The special edition will feature new content from current students as well as archival pieces from past issues of Panku.

“In choosing the archival pieces, the student editors attempted to capture the experimental and experiential nature of Panku and to focus on pieces they thought resonated through the years,” said Geerling.

The anniversary issue will also unveil bespoke cover art, created by Panku layout editor Melanie Hosein-Finol, specifically for this issue.

Geerling recently took over as the advisor of the magazine and hopes to support the student editorial team's vision of what Panku can be.

“I believe in the ever- evolving nature of student-led publications and am committed to helping raise Panku's visibility at the college” she said. “The students deserve support and recognition for the amazing work they do on the magazine.”.

Both The Observer and Panku are always looking for dedicated students to get involved. The Observer meets at 12:30 p.m. Thursdays on North Campus in building 60, room 334. Panku meets 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fridays on Central Campus in building 6, room 229.

The Observer also offers a workshop series featuring professionals in the journalism field prior to the meetings.

Do you want hands-on experience in student publications? To get involved or for more information, visit The Observer or Panku