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05/22/2015 12:00 AMShore Publishing writers and photographers have once again been recognized for excellence at the annual Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists awards ceremony held May 21.
This year, Shore Publishing (which preceived 14 awards—seven firsts, eight seconds, and one third—in categories ranging from general reporting, columns, sports reporting, and photo.
“To receiving recognition like this from Connecticut SPJ is such an honor to our team,” said Publisher Robyn Collins. “These writers, editors, and photographers take such pride in what they do, and to win these awards validates their hard work. I am proud to work among such talented individuals who simultaneously show their professionalism while showcasing the incredible towns we live in.”
“Even though we’re in one of the few media categories that’s actually growing statewide, our writers and photographers’ everyday excellence is keeping us at the top of an increasingly competitive pack,” said Editor Brian Boyd. “Our focus has always been hyper-local and our main interest remains the feedback we get from the communities we serve, but it’s definitely nice to get such strong recognition on a wider scale.”
Winners included former reporters Marianne Sullivan and Jack Kramer sharing a first place award in the General Reporting category for their coverage of the Madison food truck saga in The Source.
Sports Editor Chris Piccirillo won first place for his sports news coverage of Valley Regional High School’s first-ever football championship in the piece “Unstoppable, Unbelievable, Undefeated!” published in the Valley Courier. He also won a second place award for his sports feature “Leader of the Pack: Spring Brawl Provides a Ray of Sunshine for Anthony Longley,” which was published in the North Haven Courier. Sports reporter PJ Foti also won a first place award for his sports feature “Weiss Completes 26.2-Mile Goal with Daughter, Despite Illness” in the Valley Courier. Sports reporter John Lecardo earned a second place award for his sports news story “Bracket Busters! Underdog Hand Edges Amity for Division II Crown” published in The Source.
Pam Johnson added to her collection of journalism prizes with two winning entries: a second place for General Reporting Series, “What’s the Story with...?” published in The Sound and a second place honor for General Reporting “Almost Here: Medical Marijuana in Branford” that was also published in The Sound.
Former chief of multimedia and photography Andrew Sullivan earned a second place award for in the Sports Photo category for his photo “Making the Cut.” Photographer Kelley Fryer scored two first place awards as well as a second place in the categories Feature Photo (“It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane...”), Sports Photo (“Safe!”), and News Photo (“Farewell, Coach”).
Shore’s Deputy Editor Meredith Crawford was recognized with a first place award in the Business Reporting category for her piece “Inside Killingworth’s Lavendar Pond Farm.” Crawford also earned a third-place award in the Arts and Entertainment Reporting category for her piece “Here’s Henry Winkler.” Rita Christopher won second place in the Arts and Entertainment Reporting category for “Joseph comes to Ivoryton.” Living section columnists took first and second place awards in the General Column category. Juliana Gribbins earned first place for her general column “Summer Lovin’.” Amy J. Barry’s column “My Generation” won a second-place award in the general column category.