A 2026 RRC Polytech Creative Communications (CreComm) graduate is the most recent recipient of the J-Schools Canada Student Journalist of the Year award.
Toni De Guzman was honoured for her work in television, radio and print with two notable pieces that address bail literacy and Canada's aging water bombers.
"It means a lot to be recognized for the work I love doing and have been striving for since I was young. It's also a reflection of the instructors and editors who shaped and believed in me," says De Guzman.
The J-Schools Canada Student Journalism Award honourees represent the best journalism produced by students nationwide and reflects the breadth and diversity of Canadian journalism education.
De Guzman credits the CreComm journalism specialization with not only preparing her to be a journalist but also finding employment.
"I chose CreComm at RRC Polytech because I knew there were work placements and I would have the opportunity to leave a lasting impression and make meaningful connections in the industry. It was so valuable I got to learn from instructors who worked in journalism," says De Guzman.
During her time in the program De Guzman worked on stories for the Winnipeg Free Press, The Globe and Mail and CBC. Her instructors saw her potential from the start.
"Toni's desire to be a journalist was evident from our first journalism class together in 2025," says James Turner, a Journalism Instructor for CreComm at RRC Polytech. "If you recommended she go and talk to people she didn't know to get story ideas and new connections, she immediately went and did it and found value from it."
CreComm provides each student with the fundamentals in writing, critical thinking and digital media design and introductions to journalism, public relations, advertising and marketing, and media production. Students choose which specialization to follow in their second year of studies. To have a student receive the Student Journalist of the Year award from J-Schools Canada is deeply meaningful to the faculty as a whole and affirms how the program teaches journalism.
"The RRC Polytech Creative Communications program helps students learn how to dig deep for the story through sound research and legwork," says Turner. "We offer guidance, support and feedback all along the way."
Currently working as a Digital Broadcast Journalist for Global News Winnipeg, De Guzman is the second consecutive RRC Polytech student to win the Student Journalist of the Year award. Matthew Frank (CreComm 2025) received the honour last year.
The J-Schools Canada Student Journalism Awards recognize excellence, innovation and leadership among emerging journalist across Canada. Seasoned media professionals and teachers from across the country serve as volunteer judges and evaluate the submissions for their originality, impact, technical execution, and contribution to public understanding.
Awardees come from across Canada and represent the best journalism produced by students nationwide.
