Cabrillo College is thrilled to announce that its student-run literary magazine, Xinachtli Journal—also known as Journal X—has been awarded the prestigious ‘Superior’ rank in the 2024 National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM) program. This recognition places Journal X among the best in the nation, celebrating the creative work of students from 46 states and five countries.
In the highly competitive 2024 contest, 422 student magazines were nominated from middle schools, high schools, and higher education institutions. Journal X, a dynamic social justice literary arts magazine founded in 2021, aims to amplify voices addressing pressing social justice issues. Curated by English 1B students at Cabrillo College’s Watsonville Center, Journal X features poetry, stories, essays, photography, and artwork from both emerging and established artists throughout Santa Cruz County and beyond.
Each year, the team hosts a celebration in May at the Watsonville Center to honor the talented writers and artists featured in the magazine, with the release of the new issue in the summer.
“We are so honored to receive this award,” said Dr. Victoria Bañales, the editorial director of Journal X and Cabrillo College English instructor. “I’m constantly amazed by the dedication of our student-run Editorial Board and by the creative energy of our contributors. Their talent truly shines through every page.”
In addition to this recognition, Dr. Bañales has been named the 2025-27 Watsonville Poet Laureate by the Watsonville Public Library. As poet laureate, she will engage the community through public readings and continue to advance the literary arts in Watsonville.
Journal X Editorial Board member Luis Blas, a Cabrillo student, shared his excitement: “Being part of the editorial team was an enriching experience. Collaborating with my peers to highlight our community’s voices was incredibly gratifying. Winning this award is a testament to our hard work and passion.”
Another Editorial Board member, Marisa Rameño-Amezcua, expressed her pride: “I’m still amazed that enrolling in English 1B led to my involvement with Journal X alongside Dr. Bañales. The moment you hold the magazine, you’re transported into a world of stories, cultures, and perspectives. It’s been such a rewarding experience.”
Lorena Lia Mansilla, the magazine’s graphic designer, added: “As the graphic designer, I was honored to visually contribute to Journal X. It was a joy to blend text, illustrations, and photos in a way that honored our people’s stories while complementing the powerful content. I’m so proud to be part of this project and celebrate our ‘Superior’ distinction.”
The REALM program honors excellence in student-produced literary magazines, recognizing the importance of fostering creativity and the art of writing. Schools from across the U.S. and around the world are encouraged to develop literary magazines that celebrate the voices and stories of their students.
Get your copy of Journal X today!
Support the creative voices of Cabrillo College students and immerse yourself in thought-provoking social justice stories. Journal X is more than just a magazine; it’s a platform for voices that need to be heard. Pick up your copy and join the conversation today!
For more information about the REALM Program, please visit: https://ncte.org/awards/program-to-recognize-in-student-literary-magazines/.
About the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is devoted to improving the teaching and learning of English and the language arts at all levels of education. As the nation’s oldest organization of pre-K through graduate school literacy educators, NCTE has a rich history of deriving expertise and advocacy from its members’ professional research, practice, and knowledge. NCTE is the home of the Intellectual Freedom Center, the National Day on Writing®, ReadWriteThink.org, the Build Your Stack® initiative, and NCTE Verse. NCTE supports nearly 20,000 teachers across the preK–college spectrum, with a mailing list of over 500,000, more than 100,000 followers on Facebook and Twitter, and regularly sees more than 100,000 visitors in web traffic monthly. For more information, please visit www.ncte.org.
About Cabrillo College
Cabrillo College is a leading California community college serving Santa Cruz County with locations in Aptos and Watsonville. It is ranked #1 in transfers to UC Santa Cruz. Founded in 1959, the college offers over 100 academic and career technical education programs that serve multiple educational goals such as A.A. and A.S. degrees, certificates of achievement, skills certificates, transfer to 4-year institutions or for lifelong learning and personal enrichment. With a commitment to quality and equity, Cabrillo connects all learners to pathways that propel them from where they are to where they aspire to be, including: academic, personal, and career growth.
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