The awards recognize excellence in a variety of categories spanning editorial content as well as advertising. CI took home one-third of all awards submitted by publications in Texas.
There were 1,433 entries in the Better Newspaper Editorial Contest and 221 entries in the Better Newspaper Advertising Contest for a total of 1,654 entries. A total of 475 awards were won by 117 member newspapers in 33 states.
California had the most combined wins with 56, followed by Wyoming with 48 and Texas and Iowa tying at 47.
Judging was performed primarily by active community newspaper editors and publishers as well as retired university journalism professors and retired or former newspaper professionals.
CI’s 22 publications submitted awards as stand-alone publications and competed against one another in categories including education, literacy and investigative storytelling.
For the first time, CI submitted nominations for video journalism excellence and was awarded first place, second place and honorable mention. It was also the first time CI was recognized for its use of social media in reporting.
In all, Community Impact received three first place awards, six second place awards, four third place awards and three honorable mention accolades.
10 editorial awards include:
Community Impact Newspaper—Cy-Fair edition; Shawn Arrajj
First place, best health story: Health care providers address physician shortage
Community Impact Newspaper—Georgetown edition; Randy Robinson
First place, video journalism: Pilot’s Choice Aviation
Community Impact Newspaper—Cy-Fair edition; Danica Smithwick
Second place, best business story: Oil decline leads to business startups
Community Impact Newspaper—Spring/Klein edition; Vanessa Holt
Second place, best education/literacy story: Graduates seek lower postsecondary tuition costs
Community Impact Newspaper—Sugar Land/Missouri City edition; Amelia Brust
Second place, best investigative or in-depth story: Annexation plans progress for Greatwood, New Territory
Community Impact Newspaper—Georgetown edition; Randy Robinson
Second place, video journalism: See inside the new Sheraton Georgetown Texas Hotel & Conference Center
Community Impact Newspaper—Frisco edition; Lindsey Juarez and Nicole Luna
Second place, social media journalism
Community Impact Newspaper—San Marcos/Buda/Kyle edition; Brett Thorne
Third place, best environmental story: San Marcos moves forward with Cape’s Dam removal
Community Impact Newspaper—Lake Travis/Westlake edition; Lake Travis/Westlake edition staff
Third place, social media journalism
Community Impact Newspaper—Conroe/Montgomery edition; Randy Robinson
Honorable mention, video journalism: Bel Ray Action Sports Park
Six design awards for Best Use of Ad Color include:
Community Impact Newspaper—Central Austin edition; Cierra Aiken
First place: Peak Performers
Community Impact Newspaper—The Woodlands edition; Alexandra Corradini
Second place: Keller Williams – The Kink Team
Community Impact Newspaper—Cy-Fair edition; Sadie Long
Third place: Snapper Jack’s
Community Impact Newspaper—Frisco edition; Stephanie Torres
Third place: Frisco Auto Tint
Community Impact Newspaper—Cedar Park/Leander edition; Cathy Chedrawi
Honorable mention: Peonies and Lace Weddings
Community Impact Newspaper—Spring/Klein edition; Evelia Gramajo
Honorable mention: Captain Aaron Seafood
Established in 1885, the National Newspaper Association is the voice of America’s community newspapers and is the one of the largest newspaper associations in the country.
Since its first year competing in 2007, CI has received 122 awards from NNA in the Better Newspaper Editorial Contest and the Better Newspaper Advertising Contest.
