Criterion staff honored for excellence in journalism
The Criterion’s coverage of the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis last November won first place in best reporting on special age group, teenagers, in the Catholic Press Association’s (CPA) 2011 awards competition. Click for a larger version.
Criterion staff report
Staff members of The Criterion were recently honored for excellence in journalism by three organizations.
The recognition included awards from the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada, the Knights of Columbus and the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
Staff writer Sean Gallagher, senior reporter Mary Ann Garber and assistant editor John Shaughnessy each won individual awards from the CPA, and the staff was honored for its coverage of the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis last November, and for its special issue in February of 2011 focusing on the appointment of Bishop Christopher J. Coyne as the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’ new auxiliary bishop.
The CPA awards that staff members won include:
• First place—Best Personality Profile by Mary Ann Garber.
Published in the July 8, 2011, issue of The Criterion, the story titled “ ‘Lost Boy of Sudan’ recounts harrowing story of survival” shared the life challenges of human rights activist John Dau.
“This article is an excellent testimony to the power human beings have to overcome immense hardship and do good,” judges wrote. “Without being too preachy or even using God as an explanation, the writer shares the story of a man who found strength to fight for those left behind.”
• First place—Best Sports Photo by Sean Gallagher.
Published in the July 1, 2011, issue, the photo accompanied the story “In our hearts: A friend’s death leads softball team on an emotional journey to championship.” The story recounted how the Roncalli High School softball team came together to win the state title while dealing with the death of teammate Katie Lynch.
Of the winning photo, judges wrote, “Great anticipation to capture the faces and emotions of so many players.”
• First place—Best Reporting on Special Age Group, teenagers, for the staff’s coverage of the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis last November.
The “ ‘Called to Glory’: Youths at NCYC honor Christ with electronic holy shout-out’ ” package, published in the Nov. 25, 2011, issue, featured in-depth staff coverage of the three-day gathering of 23,000 young people.
“ ‘Called to Glory’ shows and tells the excitement of faith,” judges wrote. “The ‘holy shout-out’ was hopefully as much fun to read as it was to attend.
“Bishop [Christopher J.] Coyne called the attendees to pull out their cell phones. Great photos paint an exciting event captured extremely well. It even included teens and the sacrament of reconciliation.”
• Second place—Best Special Supplement on an Ordinary’s Transition, for the Feb. 25, 2011, pull-out section focusing on new Bishop Christopher J. Coyne.
“A close second [to the first-place winner],” judges wrote. “Strong, unified presentation, thorough reporting [and] clear writing.”
• Second place—Best Feature Writing by John Shaughnessy.
Published in the June 3, 2011, issue, “ ‘They love you unconditionally’: It’s a dog’s world through pet ministry program at St. Vincent Hospital” shared the unique story of how special dogs bring joy and comfort to hospital patients.
“A cute story about the comfort and healing pets can provide at an area hospital. Well written,” judges wrote.
Shaughnessy also received a first-place award from the Knights of Columbus in their annual Father Michael J. McGivney awards competition, which honors stories that highlight unique volunteer efforts.
Published in the Dec. 2, 2011, issue, “Making wishes comes true: Teenager’s foundation helps children battle life-threatening illnesses,” featured teenager Liz Niemiec and the Little Wish Foundation, an organization she started that makes small wishes come true for children stricken with cancer.
Shaughnessy was also recognized as a 2011 Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara journalism award winner for outstanding world mission news coverage.
He won honorable mention in the Society for the Propagation of the Faith’s “interview with missionaries” category for his story “A touch of compassion: Family influences help to shape student’s life-defining moment during mission trip to Africa.”
The story, published in the Feb. 4, 2011, issue, featured a profile of Claire Schaffner, a graduate of Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis and the Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Ind. The piece appeared as part of The Criterion’s ongoing “Stewards Abroad” mission outreach.
The awards are named for the late Archbishop O’Meara, who served as the national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith from 1966 to 1979 and was Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein’s predecessor as shepherd of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis from 1979 to 1992.
The society is responsible for informing Catholics about the Church’s worldwide mission and advising them of ways they can participate in that mission.
This is the sixth consecutive year that a staff member has been recognized for their reporting on mission work, noted Criterion editor Mike Krokos.
“With the history of the awards and their connection to Archbishop O’Meara, we were thrilled to again be recognized by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith,” Krokos said.
Greg Otolski, Criterion associate publisher, said the awards recognition for the staff is well deserved.
“Our team is very committed to the newspaper’s evangelizing mission, and it is always affirming when we get recognition for our dedication and hard work,” Otolski said. †
