Daily Times wins News Organization of the Year from MDDC, staffers also win big
The Daily Times and Delmarvanow staff were big winners as the yearly Maryland, Delaware, DC Press Association awards were announced to recognize the best work of the region's journalists.
In addition, the Daily Times won the title of News Organization of the Year in Division C, for print newspapers with a circulation of 20,000 and under.
The awards were announced over multiple days via video by MDDC Executive Director Rebecca Snyder, and then the winners were honored in person at MDDC's annual awards banquet on Friday.
Best of Show winners
En route to our big win as News Organization of the Year, staffers brought home multiple Best in Show, first place and second place awards. Here are our Best in Show winners.
Photographer and videographer Lauren Roberts was a four-time winner in the Best in Show awards, three times as a solo winner and for one group project.
Roberts' solo Best in Show winners were “Salisbury makes video to cheer on Jay Copeland on ‘American Idol’” in Spot News Video, “Slam dunks to 3 pointers: Governors Challenge players show off mad skills” in Sports Video and “What’s it like? Tour Diakonia Food Pantry” in Editorial / Blog Video.
Olivia Minzola, Cole Johnson and Roberts also won a Best in Show for “‘The greatest adventure’: On watch with lifeguards in Ocean City” in Features-driven Multimedia Storytelling.
Alec Branch won a Best in Show award for his article “Field 7 1/2 and Little League Challenger” in the category of Sports Feature Story.
Kristian Jaime was a Best in Show winner for “‘It's going to be tough’: Area fishermen sound off on whale conservation speed limits” in Public Notice Reporting.
First place winners
Roberts, along with her excellent showing in Best of Show, also brought home six first place awards, for “Wrestling Stephen Decatur vs. Parkside” in Sports Photo (Sports Action), “A look at the Bioenergy DevCo facility in Seaford” in General News Video, “Salisbury makes video to cheer on Jay Copeland on ‘American Idol’” in Spot News Video, “Slam dunks to 3 pointers: Governors Challenge players show off mad skills” in Sports video, “What’s it like? Tour Diakonia Food Pantry” in Editorial / Blog Video and “Wife and daughter of Sheriff’s Deputy Glenn Hilliard speak at vigil” in Special Event Video.
Branch took home two first place awards, for “Somerset High basketball alumni savor long overdue recognition” in Sports Story and “Field 7 1/2 and Little League Challenger” in Sports Feature Story.
Jaime won four first place awards, for “New executive. New direction? How County Executive-elect Giordano plans to work for change” in Local Government, “What will turbine rigs do to marine animals? Study will examine the effects of wind farm off coast of OC” in Environmental Reporting, "Pittsville residents turn to each other in grief” in Religion Reporting and “‘It's going to be tough’: Area fishermen sound off on whale conservation speed limits” in Public Notice Reporting.
Minzola won four first place awards, for “‘Everybody loves everybody in here’: Step inside Ocean City’s oldest bar, Harbor Inn” in Business Reporting; with Johnson and Roberts for “‘The greatest adventure’: On watch with lifeguards in Ocean City” in Features-driven Multimedia Storytelling; with Roberts for “‘Your city loves you, Jay’: Huge crowd turns out for ‘American Idol’ star’s homecoming” in Arts/Entertainment Reporting; and with Roberts for “Buffalo soldier’s family land in Wicomico being rediscovered, reimagined into trail” in Growth & Land Use Reporting.
Dwight Weingarten won for “Maryland students’ test scores drop. Can schools climb back to success?” in Education Reporting.
Page designer Jesse Kryscio won for “Dueling stars share top honor” in Sports Page Design.
Kelly Powers won for “Free Black people built an Eastern Shore village. Why descendants want you to know it’s here” in Public Service.
Matthew Korfhage won for “Born during slavery, spicy stuffed ham now graces every Southern Maryland table” in Feature Story: Non-Profile.
Page designer Stephanie Lindholm won for “‘Bright Light in This World” in Page 1 Design.
Second place winners
Jaime won three second place awards, for “Most items in recycle bins end up in landfills, straining the system” in General News Story, “Ocean City seeks to set lighting standards to help save nesting sea turtles” in Public Service and “A battle on bio energy” in Growth & Land Use Reporting
Roberts won three second place awards, for “Delmarva woodworker survives brain trauma, crafting a new path” in Features-driven Multimedia Storytelling, for “Seafood and politics on the menu at Crisfield’s big Crab & Clam Bake: PHOTOS” in Best Photo Gallery and “‘We couldn’t go anywhere’: La Verne Eagleson on living in segregation and more” in Features Video.
Minzola and Roberts combined to win a second place award for “‘Broken and put back together’: Three people share journey from homeless to self-reliance” in Feature Story: Profile.
Page designer Kryscio won for “Made you look” in Sports Page Design.
"To be a bit sappy about it, I really couldn't be more proud of the accomplishments of our staff members at this year's MDDC awards," said planning editor Keith Demko. "And the honor is even great when it comes from your peers in the industry."
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Daily Times wins News Organization of Year from MDDC, staff wins big
