 "Photo: Kenzie O'Keefe, Loyolan")
No one knows how big José Martinez’s funny bone is, but if it’s proportional to the recognition that his opinion pieces have earned, then it’s pretty big. For the second consecutive year, junior José Martinez, who is also the Loyolan’s opinion and managing editor, won first place in the general or humor commentary category from Columbia University’s Gold Circle Awards.
According to the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Web site, more than 13,000 entries are submitted for the annual competition and the awards recognize superior work by student journalists.
LMU’s Director of Student Media, Tom Nelson, said, “José is the first Loyolan student to my knowledge that has ever won consecutive Gold Crowns. Winning consecutive Gold Crowns in this prestigious contest is an incredible accomplishment because the contest draws entries from some of the most well-renowned journalism programs in the country.”
Martinez, a theological studies major, was sure to return the praise. “I’m very grateful for the help I’ve received from everyone along the way,” Martinez said. In addition to taking home a first place award, Martinez also earned a certificate of merit for his article, “Sunset veteran returns to L.A.,” which was a review of a Jason Mraz concert.
The top award-winning article is titled “Badge power,” which was published in the spring of 2009. The opinion piece describes Martinez’s experience as a badge-wearing, crowd-controlling staff member at an event during LMU’s First Amendment Week where Karl Rove spoke. The following is an excerpt from “Badge power”:
“I shuddered even more, though, when I thought about the humiliation that would ensue when my meek directions to ‘Please don’t block the exits’ went unheeded by students; in my mind, I saw them spitting on me. My daydreams aren’t as happy as other people’s.”
When writing his opinion pieces, Martinez said he goes for a conversational style as if he is joking with a friend. Teasing himself, according to Martinez, is not a problem either. “If I make fun of myself, then maybe nobody else will,” the two-time winner said. However, Martinez said he is thankful that he is not the only one who thought his piece was funny.
English professor and pre-journalism advisor Dr. Linda Bannister, who has been following Martinez’s writing since he was a freshman, has noticed a humorous, self-depreciating theme in his work.
“His humor is a little wry, and a little self-deprecatory. He likes to poke fun at himself in order to make a point,” Bannister said. “His opinion pieces have consistently gotten better and better, and funnier and funnier.” Bannister is not the only reader that has tuned in to Martinez’s sense of humor.
Loyolan Editor-in-Chief Danielle Corkhill commented on Martinez’s humorous tone as well. “His writing is very eloquent and readable,” Corkhill said. “Knowing him as a friend and co-worker makes it really hilarious when he makes fun of himself.”
While handling a full course load and fulfilling his editorial responsibilities, Martinez also works with Bannister as a Rains research assistant. He is responsible for general research for the Journalism Certificate program while also helping to search for two additional journalism professors for Fall 2010.
After graduating, Martinez said he is considering studying theology in graduate school and could envision himself having a column in Time magazine.
In addition to Martinez’s awards, former Editor-in-Chief Oscar Borboa and junior Loyolan Design Editor Levi Marks earned a Gold Circle Certificate of Merit for their Fall 2008 board editorial, “In defense of tacos.”
The Loyolan’s Web site was nominated for a Pacemaker Award from the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP).
The ACP also recognized The Tower Yearbook as the fifth best yearbook in the country in their Best of Show contest, which was during the Fall National College Media Conference in Austin, Texas.
More information about the Gold Circle Awards and the ACP is available at cspa.columbia.edu/index.htmland and studentpress.org/acp/, respectively.
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