The Golden Transcript won 10 awards in the annual Colorado Press Association Better Newspaper contest Feb. 26 at the Sheraton West Hotel in Denver.
The Transcript was awarded first place for Best Classified Section put together by Classified and Legals Advertising Manager Audrey Brooks and Classified Sales Consultant Tina Meltzer.
“I love that the promotional ads are all positive feedback from customers. Having one universal, colored background for the guide really lets the ads stand out,” the contest judge said.
Publisher Scott Perriman won second place in Best Editorial Writing for three editorials: “An open letter,” a letter to President Obama concerning business challenges; “Let’s target real reform,” urging the state to stop watching Washington and implement reform; and “To the Top” a commentary on failing to secure Race to the Top education funds. Judge called the pieces are “hard-hitting but respectful.”
Staff writer Sara Crocker won second place in the Best Series category for a series on senior issues titled “Aging Well Series.” Judge said the series covered a lot of ground “hitting on a pressing local issue and dividing it into readable, understandable segments showing what was going well and what was still needed.”
The Transcript won second place for Advertising Special Section for the Golden Guide magazine, a 52-page color magazine highlighting Golden events, activities, services and amenities, with graphic designers Lisa Allison, Erin Franks and Cinnamon Lowe. Judge said there were “Very nice photos that make me want to visit your area. Great ads that capture the feel of that business. Easy to read map of downtown. Lots of good info about events happening.”
Design/production manager Lowe also won second place in the Use of Color in an Ad category for a Jus Cookins’ peach cobbler ad. Judge said, “I like the way the “peach cobbler” heading is done. And the peach looks good enough to eat.”
Sports reporter Brian Miller won third place in Best Sports Story for a story about martial arts specialist Chris Camozzi appearing on “The Ultimate Fighter.” Judge said, “A good narrative of a tough guy’s rise in the world of mixed martial arts.”
Staff writer Laura Hathaway won third place in Best Education Story for piece about the mentoring program at Connections Learning Center. Judges said, “Story flows seamlessly—a clear description of the program’s purpose through teachers’ and students’ own words.”
Photographer Justin Sagarsee won third place in sports photography for a photo of Golden High junior Taylor McGregor after burying a header in a soccer game against Pueblo South. Judge said. “Photographer was in the right position to capture the pivotal moment of this match.”
Staffers Lisa Allison and Erin Franks won third place in the Best Advertising Campaign category for a promotion of the great8newspapers website. Judge said, “Close tie between second and third. Like the small teaser ad and leading reader to future ads.”
In the category of Best Advertising Layout and Design, the staff won third place. Judge said, “Nice size paper, ads are layed out around the edge to create a nice feel when reading the content. Small ads easy to find. Love the “Best of Jeffco” part—nice way to get competitors to advertise too.”
27 total awards, website wins
Mile High Newspapers, which includes the Arvada Press, Lakewood Sentinel and Wheat Ridge Transcript won 27 awards in total.
The company placed in the website divisions for its recently reworked great8newspapers site, which combined Mile High newspapers with partner MetroNorth newspapers and set up an online subscription model. The great8newspapers site won third place in design and community categories.
The Arvada Press won first place in the Best Series category for a project titled “Help Wanted” that appeared in all four newspapers. The series explored unemployment from a number of angles featuring photographer Justin Sagarsee and staff writers Megan Quinn, Meredith Knight, Ryan Parker and Jeff Francis. Judge said, “Relevant, thorough reporting. Well organized. Excellent images.”