WASHINGTON – The Varsitarian, the official student publication of the University of Santo Tomas, reaped eight awards at the US College Media Association (CMA) Pinnacle Awards – one of the United States’ most prestigious student media competitions.
This makes the Varsitarian the first school paper from the Philippines and Asia to win in multiple categories, in league with top campus US publications such as the University of Texas at Austin’s The Daily Texan, the University of California Los Angeles’ The Daily Bruin, and the University of Michigan’s The Michigan Daily.
The Varsitarian’s Coverage of Faith entry, “Papal Coverage: Francis’s Death and Leo XIV’s Election,” won first place in the category, followed by the University of South Carolina’s Garnet & Black on second, and the University of Michigan’s The Michigan Daily on third.
Its sports entries, the sports feature (A/V), “‘Superstar’ – UAAP Season 87 Second Semester Primer,” produced by incumbent Varsitarian editor in chief Chalssea Kate Echegoyen, won first place in the category.
It was followed by Appalachian State University’s AppTV on second place and the University of Kentucky’s KRNL Lifestyle + Fashion on third.
The Varsitarian’s “Superstar,” featuring Thomasian athletes competing in the UAAP games, was shown during the CMA Film Festival on Oct. 16.
For opinion and news pinnacles, the editorial cartoon, “Surviving Without Sara, the ‘Designated Survivor,’” by former layout editor Jan Esguerra, and the general news photo, “Welcome Rites at UST GenSan,” by former photo editor Jeremy Edera, placed second and third, respectively.
Under promotion and advertising, the ad campaign entry, “26th Inkblots Promotional Campaign,” animated by former ‘V’ artist Louelle Marie Bumalay and Aisha Sofia M. Fortes, and the video advertisement, “Pautakan 2025 Teaser,” animated by incumbent Varsitarian artist Jimmarson Chester Pua were given honorable mentions.
The Varsitarian’s “The People’s Pope: Pope Francis, 1936-2025” was given honorable mention in the special section category.
The sports photo, “Golden Tigresses Outlast DLSU in 5 Sets,” by Varsitarian photo editor James Magboo, was also given honorable mention.
The CMA Pinnacle Awards recognize student-produced media across seven divisions: Creative Pinnacles, Features Pinnacles, General Pinnacles, News Pinnacles, Opinion Pinnacles, Promotion or Advertising Pinnacles, and Sports Pinnacles.
Founded in 1954, the CMA is the leading organization for collegiate media and their advisers in the United States.
With over 600 members, the organization supports student journalists by providing education and resources through collaboration with media and education groups.
The awards received more than 3,000 entries this year.
The competition covered works published from June 18, 2024, to June 17, 2025, and featured entries from student newspapers, magazines, yearbooks, websites, and broadcast outlets.
The awarding ceremonies were held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington from Oct. 16 to Oct. 17.
