Rhode Island Catholic, El Catolico win 15 national awards from Catholic Press Association

GREENBAY, Wis. — Rhode Island Catholic and its Spanish language version, El Católico, were honored last night, June 15, with a combined 15 awards by the Catholic Press Association of the U.S. and Canada during the organization’s annual Catholic Media Convention and Awards Banquet in Green Bay, Wisconsin.The newspapers won a variety of awards for writing, design, as well as advertising. 

RHODE ISLAND CATHOLIC

GENERAL EXCELLENCE AWARD: NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
Honorable Mention
Rhode Island Catholic, by Rick Snizek, Laura Kilgus, Lauren Clem, Richard Lafond, Sue Richard and Marie Zagorsky

BEST NEWS WRITING ON A LOCAL OR REGIONAL EVENT
Second Place
Rhode Island Catholic, "Pastoral Planning Providing Guidance as Parishes Chart Future in Uncertain Times" by Rick Snizek

This was a thorough report on the difficult decisions that are considered and made about parish futures. Story pulled no punches and was well reported.

BEST FEATURE WRITING
First Place
Rhode Island Catholic, "Regalia Changes Lead to Many Restless Knights" by By Daniel J. Holmes

A well-detailed review of the history coupled with multiple perspectives to give the reader the knowledge and context of how to understand the changes in the Knights really made this article stand out.

BEST SPORTS JOURNALISM
Honorable Mention
Rhode Island Catholic, "Happy Trails: With the Moguls in Her Life Behind Her, Special Olympics Skier Draws Inspiration From Family, Strong Catholic Faith" by Rick Snizek

BEST COVERAGE OF LOCAL POLITICS
Second Place
Rhode Island Catholic, "Pro-abortion legislation could bring radical change to R.I. abortion laws; 2018 budget to restore bus passes for elderly, disabled RIPTA riders; Senate passes bill to end ‘death-in-prison’ sentences for convicted youth" by Lauren Clem & Rick Snizek

Consistently impressive reporting and writing on a wide-range, and often complex, local political issues, from pro-abortion legislation, to bus passes for the elderly and a proposal to end death-in-prison sentences for convicted youth. Strongly descriptive and informative reporting.

BEST REPORTiNG ON VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD, RELIGIOUS LIFE OR DIACONATE
Honorable Mention
Celebrating a “Golden Summer” at Camp Dorothy by Daniel J. Holmes

BEST REPORTING ON A SPECIAL AGE GROUP
Honorable Mention
For Rhode Island ‘Dreamers,’ DACA Decisión Means Uncertainty, Fear by Lauren Clem

BEST LAYOUT OF ARTICLE OR COLUMN
First Place
Rhode Island Catholic, "Bishop Tobin’s Deep Roots Were Forged in the Steel City" by Laura Kilgus

Excellent layout with nice use of text, photographs, fonts and color.

BEST EXAMPLE OF EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING PROMOTION ORIGINATING WITH THE PUBLICATION

First Place
Rhode Island Catholic, "Bishop Tobin Ad Promotion," by Richard Lafond

MOST EFFECTIVE USE OF SMALL SPACE
Second Place
Rhode Island Catholic, "Pilgrimage to Ireland," by Laura Kilgus

EL CATOLICO

GENERAL EXCELLENCE AWARD: SPANISH EDITOR OF THE YEAR
Third Place

Silvio A. Cuellar, El Catolico de Rhode Island

BEST EDITORIAL PAGE
Third Place
El Católico de Rhode Island, “El Nuevo Año, un tiempo para honrar a la Madre de la Iglesia” by Silvio A. Cuéllar, Rick Snizek, Laura Kilgus, Ana María Delgado, Lauren Clem, Sarah Azade Perin-Monterroso

BEST REGULAR COLUMN: Family Life
First Place
El Católico de Rhode Island, “Consejos para limitar el uso de la tecnología en el hogar y fomentar la comunicación y vida familiar, El Amor es una Decisión más que un Sentimiento, El desafío más grande del V Encuentro, llegar a nuestros jóvenes” by Silvio A. Cuéllar

BEST REPORTING OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Second Place
El Católico de Rhode Island, “Cena Navideña para indigentes y familias de bajos recursos” by Ana María Delgado

Beautiful story, brought together with a quote from His Holiness. This article was strong because it wove social justice work into the Christmas season and presented an example of how individuals and families can make a positive difference in their communities around the holidays. It is nice to learn about these community events and how people use their faith and times of celebration to help others.

BEST REPORTING ON THE V ENCUENTRO
First Place
El Católico de Rhode Island, “Líderes nacionales y regionales se reúnen para planear V Encuentro Nacional, Sábado 28 de Octubre Misa Hispana cerrará el Encuentro Diocesano en la Catedral, Jóvenes Católicos hablan desde el Corazón en Evento Diocesano del V Encuentro, Fotos.” by Silvio A. Cuéllar, Rick Snizek, Ana María Delgado

Thoroughly researched coverage that incorporates news and opinion. I like that these articles provide information on both the local and national level regarding V Encuentro. Additionally, I really enjoyed reading about the Youth participants speaking from the heart. These entries gave a clear picture of the work that goes into planning the national event as well as the spiritual and emotional benefits of the program itself for its participants.