Loyola University New Orleans students took home numerous honors at the 51st annual Press Club of New Orleans awards competition on July 18.

Ramon Antonio Vargas was nominated for articles he wrote in 2008 for Loyola’s student newspaper, The Maroon, and for The Times-Picayune. Vargas, who graduated summa cum laude from the School of Mass Communication in May, was awarded a first-place award for best column for “Rack ‘em, pack ‘em,” in The Maroon, and first-place for best sports feature for “A fighting chance,” published in The Times-Picayune. He also won two second-place awards and an honorable mention.

The awards, hosted by CNN anchorwoman Kyra Phillips, recognize excellence in journalism, public relations and marketing in New Orleans. Media professionals from press clubs across the United States judged the entries selected for awards.

Other student staffers of The Maroon who were honored with second- and third-place awards and honorable mentions include Jessica Williams, Tom Macom, Rachel Strassel and Andrea Castillo.

Loyola sophomore Kevin Zansler, photo editor for The Maroon, was one of three journalism students at area colleges chosen in a competitive application process to receive a Press Club scholarship. The scholarship committee said they were impressed with Zansler’s dedication to the craft and his work ethic.