Awards/Honors
Outstanding MS in Journalism Scholar Award (2024): USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
I was recognized as one of the top students at the University of Southern California's Master of Science in Journalism program. I was recognized at commencement as one of two top scholars in the 2024 cohort.
Excellence in Journalism Awards (2023): The OC Press Club
I received five awards from the Orange County Press Club during the 2023 Excellence in Journalism Awards:
Best Environmental News Story — Third Place: Angelina Hicks
“Are Community Gardens Becoming Orange County’s Next Town Squares?”
Best Environmental News Story — Honorable Mention: Angelina Hicks
“Grand Jury: OC Residents Lose Millions Each Year in Unclaimed Recycling Funds"
Best Breaking News Story — 2nd place: Noah Biesiada & Angelina Hicks
“Mission Viejo Appoints City Manager to Run the Town After Judge Boots Council Majority"
Best Beat Reporting — Third Place: Hosam Elattar, Nick Gerda, Angelina Hicks, Brandon Pho
Hate on the Rise in OC
Best Public Affairs Story — Honorable Mention: Hosam Elattar & Angelina Hicks
“Car Wrecks, Flooding and a Possible Sewage Leak: Life in a Westminster Mobile Home Park"
Scholarship recipient (2023): Orange County Press Club
I was one of four Orange County students selected by the OC Press Club to receive a scholarship to help fund my education.
Scott Marshutz Award for Excellence in Journalism (2023): Chapman University
I was chosen as the top graduating senior in the journalism department at Chapman University to receive this award.
Academic Excellence within the Honors Program (2023): Chapman University
I was recognized as a standout student in Chapman's interdisciplinary honors program for graduating with a 3.8 GPA
Mark of Excellence Awards (2023): Society of Professional Journalists
I received two awards from SPJ and The Panther received two other awards under my leadership as editor-in-chief:
Winner: Angelina Hicks — Breaking News Reporting
"Residents decry placing another sexually violent predator in Borrego Springs"
Finalist: Angelina Hicks — General News Reporting
"Grand Jury: OC Residents Lose Millions Each Year in Unclaimed Recycling Funds"
Winner: The Panther — Best All-Around Newspaper
Finalist: The Panther — Best Independent Online Student Publication
School of Communication Honors (2023): Chapman University
I graduated from the School of Communication with honors for having a 3.8 cumulative GPA
Best Health/Wellness Story (2022): The OC Press Club
I was awarded with a second-place honor in the Best Health/Wellness category in the 2022 Orange County Press Club awards for my story about climate change in OC. The OC Press Club holds an annual award ceremony to commemorate professional and quality Orange County journalism.
Campus Leadership Award, Outstanding Junior Student (2022): Chapman University
I was one of 10 juniors at Chapman University awarded an Outstanding Junior Student award at the 2022 Campus Leadership Award ceremony. I was nominated by my peers and selected by a group of Chapman faculty and staff to recognize my role as a leader on campus.
Inaugural Tracy A. Wood Fellow (2022): Voice of OC
After more than a year of reporting for Voice of OC as a student news intern, I was chosen as the inaugural recipient of the Tracy Wood fellowship. Wood was an investigative reporter and civic editor who made a name for herself as war correspondent and founding member of Voice of OC. The fellowship will last a year, when I will continue to report municipal coverage as part of the news team at Voice of OC.
Media Fellows Scholarship (2021): Washington Media Scholars Foundation
I was chosen to receive this scholarship from WMSF to help fund my college tuition and future career endeavors. This scholarship is meant to support students whose academic interests are at the intersection of advertising and public policy. This award is extremely competitive and meant to aid the next generation of professionals in the media.
Carl Greenberg Memorial Scholarship (2021): Society of Professional Journalists, Los Angeles Chapter
I was chosen to receive this scholarship from SPJLA for my investigative and political reporting endeavors. The award is extremely competitive and meant to assist my pursuit of a journalism career.
Scott Marshutz Endowed Journalism Award Recipient (2021): Chapman University in collaboration with Voice of OC
I was chosen to receive this award from Chapman University, through which I was able to participate in an internship covering local Orange County government action for Voice of OC.
Scholarship recipient (2020): LEAGUE Foundation
The LEAGUE Foundation provides financial resources for America's LGBTQ youth to attend institutions of higher learning. Since its inception in 1996, the LEAGUE Foundation has awarded 182 college scholarships. It's the nation’s oldest LGBTQ scholarship program has given scholarships to students attending different US institutions nationwide.
Talent in Journalism Scholarship (2020): Chapman University
I was one of two incoming freshmen to receive the Talent in Journalism Scholarship for the 2020-2021 academic year. This scholarship recognizes incoming students with promising talent in journalism.
Outstanding COVID-19 Coverage Recognition (2020): National Scholastic Press Association
Best of SNO (Student Newspapers Online) Winners (2018-2020)
COVID-19 affects college admissions
With most college decision deadlines less than a month away, many high school seniors struggle with deciding to attend a college or university they have never visited.
When Cathedral Catholic High School student Emily Hood ‘20 decided to spend her next four years more than 2,000 miles away at a university that she’s never visited, she understood the risk.
“The three top schools I narrowed down to I had never visited before,” Hood said. “It was both exciting and stressful. After gathering infor
When Cathedral Catholic High School student Emily Hood ‘20 decided to spend her next four years more than 2,000 miles away at a university that she’s never visited, she understood the risk.
“The three top schools I narrowed down to I had never visited before,” Hood said. “It was both exciting and stressful. After gathering infor
Siblings sew masks to protect healthcare workers
Makenna and Carson Doan created Mighty Masks, an effort dedicated to creating homemade masks to protect local healthcare workers and medical professionals, and they have created more than 250 masks in the past month with help from a group of local volunteers to provide funds and resources.
When local San Diego high school students Makenna Doan ’21 and Carson Doan ’23 heard about the lack of surgical masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their minds immediately went to their father.
“Our dad is a
When local San Diego high school students Makenna Doan ’21 and Carson Doan ’23 heard about the lack of surgical masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their minds immediately went to their father.
“Our dad is a
Religious divisions
A diverse counsel of the United Methodist Church recently proposed a split due to conflicts regarding LGBT believers and gay clergy members.
When First United Methodist Church of San Diego lead pastor Rev. Trudy Robinson thinks about Christianity and the LGBT community, she welcomes all people.
“[FUMC] will remain a place where all are welcomed as beloved children of God, and our pastors will continue to focus on the discipleship of the congregation,” Rev. Robinson said.
However, a diverse co
When First United Methodist Church of San Diego lead pastor Rev. Trudy Robinson thinks about Christianity and the LGBT community, she welcomes all people.
“[FUMC] will remain a place where all are welcomed as beloved children of God, and our pastors will continue to focus on the discipleship of the congregation,” Rev. Robinson said.
However, a diverse co
How to: bullet journal
A bullet journal is a personalized planner created from a blank notebook used to maintain daily organization and keep track of daily, weekly, and monthly tasks and notices.
The modern pupil has more than his or her fair share of keeping track of tasks and events, and in the digital age, most students resort to online calendars, reminder apps, and the traditional method of memory to keep organized. With the new school year beginning, many high schools students struggle to keep their busy lives m
The modern pupil has more than his or her fair share of keeping track of tasks and events, and in the digital age, most students resort to online calendars, reminder apps, and the traditional method of memory to keep organized. With the new school year beginning, many high schools students struggle to keep their busy lives m
CCHS skirt ban sparks student protest
More than 50 Cathedral Catholic High School students and parents, carrying signs in protest of the skirt ban for the 2019-20 school year, gathered on the sidewalk in front of CCHS this morning to dissent against the new dress code guidelines for girls.
“I’m here because I think that this [dress code change] is unfair and extreme,” Clare Hannon ‘20 said. “I think there are other solutions, and if administration had tried to work with students and parents, we could have come to a different soluti
“I’m here because I think that this [dress code change] is unfair and extreme,” Clare Hannon ‘20 said. “I think there are other solutions, and if administration had tried to work with students and parents, we could have come to a different soluti
Losing a legend
Dr. Richard Kelly passed away at his home in La Jolla on Feb. 4 after a fight with cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
When University of San Diego High School/Cathedral Catholic High School social science teacher Mr. Don DeAngelo began his USDHS career 23 years ago, he never expected to befriend a hardworking, charismatic principal like Dr. Richard Kelly.
“He was just an incredibly supportive employer,” Mr. DeAngelo said. “I’ve been working since I was 16, and he was by far the best manager I’ve
When University of San Diego High School/Cathedral Catholic High School social science teacher Mr. Don DeAngelo began his USDHS career 23 years ago, he never expected to befriend a hardworking, charismatic principal like Dr. Richard Kelly.
“He was just an incredibly supportive employer,” Mr. DeAngelo said. “I’ve been working since I was 16, and he was by far the best manager I’ve
An accepting community
Morgan Yacullo ‘20 (left) signs up for Best Buddies during lunch at a booth run by president Holden Brosnan ‘20 (middle) and events coordinator Alicia Morales ‘19 (right).
When Mrs. Adriana Pehl served as an elementary school student-teacher a few months before graduating college, she discovered her passion of working with disabled youth and changed her college focus from elementary school education to special education, adding an extra year onto her schooling.
“I ended up working at a couple
When Mrs. Adriana Pehl served as an elementary school student-teacher a few months before graduating college, she discovered her passion of working with disabled youth and changed her college focus from elementary school education to special education, adding an extra year onto her schooling.
“I ended up working at a couple
First taste of CCHS
Incoming freshman to Cathedral Catholic High School experience the same tedious task every year of taking the High School Placement Test. Although some students may find the exam stressful and a defining moment for their high school lives, this sentiment is not the case. The HSPT provides information regarding students’ academic levels in order to place them in appropriate classes, not to sort out who is and who is not suitable to attend CCHS. The eighth-graders arrived Saturday at 7:00 a.m. to
Outstanding Achievement in Journalism Award (2019): Cathedral Catholic High School
