The TCC Connection journalists receive several OCMA awards

The Oklahoma Collegiate Media Association (OCMA) organizes a yearly contest for student journalists who are working in mass media. OCMA was founded in 1975. Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) former journalism school director, Harry Heath, was the initiator for the creation of the organization.  

The OCMA judges who review students’ works are professional journalists. The TCC (Tulsa Community College) Connection editors and contributing writers participate in the OCMA contest every year, entering articles, TV broadcasts and radio podcasts in various categories, such as news reporting, review, editorial, column writing, and others. 

In 2020, TCC Connection members received multiple OCMA awards in journalism. Ethan Gray, TCC Connection’s assistant managing editor, obtained first place in Feature Writing. Joe O’Shansky, TCC Connection Southeast Campus editor, was awarded first and second places in Reviews. Tatyana Nyborg, TCC Connection Metro Campus Editor, accepted awards in first, second, and third places in Columns, as well as first and second places in General News and Reporting. 

“I felt grateful to have had the opportunity to be selected among many other great journalists,” says Gray. “It was a rewarding experience.” 

Gray plans to gain more experience at the TCC Connection and work as a multimedia journalist after completing his degree at TCC. 

“You never know what you can do until you do it,” says O’Shansky about winning an OCMA award. His background is in film and pop culture reviews. The editor also has written food reviews for the TCC Connection

“I don’t know that I have any future plans for journalism,” he adds. “I might try to start freelancing again.” 

For more information about OCMA and how to participate in the contest, contact john.helsley@okstate.edu, 405-744-8277. 

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