The streak of the Best Overall College Newspaper in New York may not have been snapped. Maybe the best way to put it is that it has been splintered.

The Impact tied The Ithican at the 2023 New York Press Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest for Best Overall Publication, the first time in 20 years the Ithican was not the sole winner. It was also the first time in the history of the NYPA there was a tie for the top spot.

Advisor Michael Perrota, Chair of the Department of the Communication and Arts Department and Media Studies professor said he was shocked when he received the phone call.

“Disbelief. Stunned disbelief,” Perrota recalled when hearing the news. “The Ithican has been the standard that we have been chasing for a long time. It is an honor to share the award with them.”

To earn the top honors, each publication must accumulate awards in various categories. The Impact and the Ithican tied at 65 points each. All entries from 2022 are eligible. The Impact won four writing awards and a second-place award for its website, TheImpactnews.com

“We had such a great staff last year. This is really a testament to all who put in the hard work

Senior Maleek Munroe earned first-place honors in the News Reporting category for his story about how a Mercy College graduate and former soccer player rushed into a burning apartment to save a child.

“It’s not every day you get to report on a true-life hero,” said Perrota. “Maleek did an outstanding job of telling an exciting story while being accurate and not sensational.”

The NYPA judges commented, “The writer did a great job of putting humans into a fire story. Well done.”

James Tiedemann won first-place honors for Column Writing, notably for a piece about a World War veteran, Gunther Tiedemann.

NYPA judges said, “Interesting, well-written look back at a World War II veteran with the same family name – some research, perspective and emotion weaves a fun read.”

“Maybe no one researched articles for The Impact like James did during his career,” said Perrota. “It was so fitting that this column earned him the award.”

It was Tiedemann’s second NYPA award, as he won first place last year for Editorial Writing.

Nicole Alarcon won her second NYPA award as well with a second-place finish for Column Writing.

Her notable columns focused on her nearly drowning in the ocean and growing apart from one of her best friends.

“Nicole is one of the most vibrant storytellers we’ve ever had in The Impact,” said Perrota. “Her columns are always an adventure.”

Stephanie Lankhorst won third-place honors for Column Writing with stories about Americans and their lack of traveling and their lack of grammar skills.

“Steph gives the European perspective for college students,” said Perrota. “Her humor is very unique.”

The NYPA is an annual contest that judges categories in which every college in the state of New York is eligible. The contest is judged on a calendar year, and every submission must be published by Dec. 31. Size of the college, staff or budgets are not taken into consideration during the awards process. Just the top collegiate work, regardless of the school.

The Impact had won four awards from 2007 to 2014, but ballooned that total to 43 in the last eight years.

“To win the Most Outstanding Publication award is beyond gratifying,” said Perrota, who has been the advisor since the Fall of 2004. “This is an achievement for every staff I’ve ever had that helped build the publication we have today.”