These Two Student Publications Are Organizational Pinnacle Finalists
Miami Dade College student publications AXIS and Miambiance are finalists for the College Media Association’s Pinnacle Award in the Two-Year Literary Magazine of the Year category.
The honor acknowledges exceptional content, art, writing, editing and design. Finalists were picked from student work created during the 2024-2025 academic year.
Winners will be announced on Oct. 17 during MediaFest25, the Fall National College Media Convention, held in Washington, D.C.
Miambiance, Kendall Campus’ literary and arts magazine, which was founded in 1989, is also a Pinnacle finalist in four individual categories for Volume 35: Literary Magazine Cover, Literary Magazine Spread, Portrait for Shut Up by Dione Henriquez and Podcast for Miambiance with Megan Carrion, an interview with former Editor-In-Chief Megan Carrion.
Winners for individual categories will be announced on Oct. 16.
“It feels great to be part of this ensemble of students and contribute something meaningful to the community,” said Salma Gonzalez, head designer for Volumes 34 and 35.
AXIS, the creative arts magazine at North Campus, which was founded in 2003, is a Pinnacle finalist in two individual categories: Literary Magazine Cover and Literary Magazine Spread.
Volume 22 dives into themes of community and connection in a fragmented world through personal storytelling.
“We are very proud to be nominated among so many excellent creative arts magazines across the country,” said Carmen Bucher, faculty co-adviser of AXIS.
In other MDC publication news, Urbana, Eduardo J. Padrón Campus’ creative arts magazine, which was launched in 2007, was named a finalist in two categories for Volume 18: Literary Magazine Cover and in the Creative Film category for Edward Colmenares’ short film AN IDEA.
“The cover captures the essence of Miami, a place where people can explore the version of themselves they aspire to be, while embracing their culture,” said Maday Celedon, layout director of Volume 18. “We chose to create hand-painted-style illustrations using bold, tropical colors to honor the city’s festive spirit.”
Metromorphosis, the creative arts magazine at Wolfson Campus, which launched more than 30 years ago, was tabbed as a finalist in the Magazine Cover category for Volume 37.
The magazine showcases student memoirs that delve into human struggles—including one artist’s experience with being HIV positive—accompanied by evocative art pieces about social conflicts and resilience.
“Chaos was the scene for [Volume] 37… we were living through a very chaotic moment in our country, and the students decided to let people know what was happening,” said Yousi Mazpule, adviser to Metromorphosis.
StoryBytes, a student-led digital platform at Kendall Campus that features podcasting, film and animation and was launched in 2024, earned four individual nominations.
The Vault Episodes, a podcast series produced by Isabel Paz offering student insights on transfer resources, was tabbed a finalist in the Best Series category.
When Faced with the Barrel of a Gun by Paz is a finalist in the Best Podcast category, Cat Crimes by Ainhoa Osorio Torres, Angelo Fernandez and Paz is a finalist in the Creative Audio Performance category and You’re My American Dream, an animated production reflecting on Victoria Cuellar’s immigrant experience, is a finalist in Creative Film.
“StoryBytes was a metamorphosis for me, a place where students can uncover their potential by exploring diverse artistic mediums,” said Cuellar, who is the podcast’s current president. “Receiving this recognition was staggering…I was overcome with humility.”
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