The News earns 20 awards at state contest

ALBUQUERQUE — The Eastern New Mexico News won 20 awards at the 110th annual New Mexico Press Association convention over the weekend.

The News collected 10 first-place awards and 10 second-place honors in the Daily Class II division as part of the contest.

The contest is divided in four categories: Daily Class I — 11,000 and above circulation, Daily Class II — 10,999 and below circulation, Weekly Class I — 5,000 and above circulation and Weekly Class II — 4,999 and below circulation.

Statewide, 30 newspapers competed. Entries had to be published from July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018. The contest judges were from the Maryland, Delaware and D.C. Press Association.

The staff of The News, led by Editor David Stevens and Managing Editor Kevin Wilson, captured first-place awards for Best Series or Continuing Coverage and Sports Coverage as well as second-place finishes for Design/Typography and News Coverage. Complete sections of the paper were judged on overall depth of local news and sports coverage in the community, style, layout and readability.

“The lead story in this series is simply the most compelling read of everything I’ve read in this category,” wrote one of the judges of The News’ coverage related to the Clovis library shooting. “The accompanying photo, the terse and well-written story brings home a tragedy in a unique and extremely touching way. The rest of the stories in this continuing coverage are equally compelling.”

Wilson and Stevens each collected two individual awards on the night as well, while former staff photographer Tony Bullocks and ex-advertising designer Ethan Lewis took home three apiece.

“It’s such a great feeling to see all of the hard work and efforts by your staff be recognized on a statewide platform,” said Publisher Rob Langrell. “Capturing 20 awards in a contest such as this is truly phenomenal. It’s great to be surrounded every day by such a hardworking group of people who pour their hearts and souls into making The News a great community newspaper.”

Following is the full list of awards for the Eastern New Mexico News:

• Series or Continuing Coverage: Editor David Stevens and staff, first place

• Sports Coverage: Managing Editor Kevin Wilson and staff, first place

• Design/Typography: Jenna Zamie and staff, second place

• News Coverage: Editor David Stevens and staff, second place

• Editorial Writing: David Stevens and Rob Langrell, first place

• News Column Writing: David Stevens, first place

• News Column Writing: Kevin Wilson, second place

• Sports Column Writing: Kevin Wilson, first place

• Sports Column Writing: Rob Langrell, second place

• Sports Writing: Peter Stein, second place

• Feature Writing: David Grieder, first place

• General News Photography: Tony Bullocks, first place

• General News Photography: Jamie Cushman, second place

• Feature Photography: Tony Bullocks, first place

• Photo Series: Tony Bullocks, first place

• Real Estate Advertisement: Marty Williamson, first place

• Automobile Advertisement: Ethan Lewis, second place

• Retail Advertisement: Ethan Lewis, second place

• Web Advertisement: Ethan Lewis, second place

• Shared/Signature Advertising Page: Franki Baca and staff, second place