By HEATHER WRIGHT and KIT SLACK
We broke our records for community journalism awards in the 2024 National Newspaper Association (NNA) Better Newspaper Contest, where Streetcar Suburbs Publishing won 14 awards.
First and second place awards
Credit: Rick Borchelt
Our columnist Rick Borchelt won first place for Best Environmental Story (daily and nondaily, circ. 6,000 and more) with “The spa in the spathe.” The judge commented, “Very interesting story on a plant lesser known than some of its cousins. Found ourselves continuing to want to read more.”
Editors won three second-place awards — for Best Serious Column (daily and nondaily, circ. 6,000 to 11,999) with “Prioritize teachers, not technology, for improved education outcomes“; Best Breaking News Story (nondaily, circ. 6,000 to 11,999) with “Cargo train derailment causes road closure, environmental concerns“; and Best Agricultural Story (daily and nondaily, circ. 6,000 and more) with “Grazing goals tackle invasive plant species.”
We’re (almost) the best
The Hyattsville Life & Times placed third for both Best Local News Coverage, competing with daily and nondaily newspapers with circulations of 6,000 or more, and for General Excellence, competing against nondaily newspapers with circulations between 6,000 and 9,999. The judge commented, “It is the whole package, from news writing to page layout and use of photos and graphics … with a good variety of news and features.”
Juliette Fradin placed third for Best Feature Photo (nondaily, circ. 6,000 to 14,999) for her ice cream truck vendor photo that graced the May 2023 print edition. “Perfect photo of everyday happening, expertly done. Great job!” the judge noted. And Chris McManes placed third for Best Sports Story (nondaily, 6,000 to 9,999) for “DeMatha runner wins WCAC cross country championship.”
Page designer Ashley Perks won third place for Best Front Page Design (nondaily, circ. 6,000 to 9,999) for July 2023 College Park Here & Now front page.
And let’s not forget to mention. . .
Perks also won honorable mention in the same category for the cover of the September 2023 edition of the Hyattsville Life & Times, featuring the work of Hyattsville Middle alumna and mural artist MISS CHELOVE.
Heather Marléne Zadig’s article “Clear backpacks, metal detectors come to PGCPS: Do they work?“ received an honorable mention for Best Education/Literacy Story (nondaily, circ. 6,000 and more). As did Jessica Arends’ column “The game of bridge connects neighbors in Mount Rainier“ for Best Non-profile Feature Story (nondaily, circ. 6,000-9,999).
In the same circulation category, Braden Hamelin’s story “History touches down“, about teen glider pilot Caleb Smith, got an honorable mention for Best Profile Feature Story.
And finally, former editor Sophie Gorman Oriani, with her article “Major fossil discovery at Dinosaur Park“, won an honorable mention for The Laurel Independent in the category of stories Preserving Local History.
This year’s winners will be recognized during the NNA’s 138th Convention and Trade Show on Sept. 27 in Omaha, Neb.
