The News collects top prize at PPA awards

CHILDRESS, Texas — The Eastern New Mexico News was awarded the top newspaper prize in its division at the 108th Annual Panhandle Press Association awards over the weekend.

It was the third consecutive year The News took the honor.

The News collected the General Excellence award, which honors one publication in each class based on its writing, photography, layout, advertising and special sections. The News competes in Division 2, a category that includes members that are daily or semi-weekly newspapers. In Division 1 (weeklies), the Clarendon (Texas) Enterprise won the top honor.

Overall, The News collected 12 first-place plaques, two seconds and two thirds. The contest was for entries published in 2017, and most of the entries consisted of three stories, photos or pages to be judged.

“We simply had an amazing showing this year,” said Publisher Rob Langrell. “It’s a testament to the great staff we have on board. We truly dominated our division from writing to photography to layout, and more.

“We strive for quality journalism every day,” Langrell said. “We try to set the bar high. Clearly the judges liked the newspaper we produce and what we’re doing for the local communities. I’m so proud to be part of a great team of journalists.”

The News won awards in the following categories:

• First place, Front Page Layout: Jenna Zamie

• First place, Society/Lifestyle section: Malinda Montgomery

• First place, Special Section: Staff for its tornado anniversary publication

• First place, Headline Writing: Jenna Zamie and Peter Stein

• First place, Editorial Writing: David Stevens

• First place, Humorous Column: Kevin Wilson

• First place, Serious Column: David Stevens

• First place, News Writing: David Stevens

• First place, Sports Writing: Kevin Wilson, Eric Murray and Peter Stein

• First place, News Photography: Tony Bullocks

• First place, Sports Photography: Tony Bullocks and Kevin Wilson

• First place, Human Interest Photography: Tony Bullocks

• Second place, Serious Column: Kevin Wilson

• Second place, Humorous Column: Rob Langrell

• Third place, Advertising Design: Ethan Lewis

• Third place, Best Website/Online newspaper: Shawn Luscombe and staff

Additionally, the Quay County Sun — the weekly paper based in Tucumcari that is also owned by Clovis Media — picked up six awards. They were:

• First place, News Writing: Thomas Garcia

• First place, Front Page Layout: Malinda Montgomery

• Second place, Sports Writing: Thomas Garcia

• Second place, News Photography: Thomas Garcia

• Second place, Best Website/Online newspaper: Shawn Luscombe and staff

• Third place, Feature Writing: Thomas Garcia