El Mensajero Católico recently earned 10 awards from the Catholic Press Association for work published during 2013.
The Catholic Press Association, which represents Catholic publications in the United States and Canada, presented the awards June 20 during its annual convention in Charlotte, N.C.
El Mensajero received the following awards:
* Best Lead Article: Staff Writer Annette Jiménez won first place for August 2013 articles about literacy efforts in Rochester and the Brockport Migrant Education Program.
"A practically perfect lead article. Good quotes, extensive background research and a feel-good angle, despite all of the problems faced by the children," the judges remarked.
* Best Coverage of Immigration: Jiménez earned first place for her coverage of local immigration issues.
"Comprehensive, aggressive, sensitive coverage of national politics and policy, dubious local enforcement practices, services provided by the diocese and other agencies, immigrants living and serving, and volunteers supporting immigrants and reform. Tremendous," the judges wrote.
* Individual Excellence: Jiménez won first place for a body of work from 2013.
"From Annette Jiménez, we learn so much not only about the church but about Rochester, about poverty, about how we can help one another," the judges said.
* Best Photograph — Best Feature Photo: Former Staff Photographer Tamara Tirado won first place for "Misa para la sanacion" ("Mass for healing"), which depicted Father Bob Werth anointing a child during a bilingual healing Mass.
"What a wonderful image. The look in the child’s eyes (and) the connection to the priest. The photographer captured the decisive moment of an emotional event," the judges remarked.
* General Excellence — Publication: El Mensajero earned second place in this category.
"Many of the articles have useful information for readers. It remains a newspaper that would interest me even if I were not Catholic because of the community news. Coverage for the immigration issue was well planned," the judges wrote.
* Best News Writing Originating With the Publication — Local/Regional Event: Jiménez won second place for her March 2013 article, "Se enfocan en cuidado de ninos" ("Focus on child care"), about the need for child-care subsidies for low-income families.
"Great example of a story that can grow immensely through the use of poignant quotes," the judges wrote.
* Best In-Depth Analysis: Jiménez earned second place for her April 2013 article, "Programa ayuda a estudiantes sin casas" ("Program helps homeless students"), about the Rochester City School District’s program for homeless students.
"Informative and certainly useful for readers," the judges said.
* Best Online/Multi-Media Presentation of Visuals: Photo Editor Mike Crupi earned second place for "La liga hispana empieza la temporada de beisbol" ("Hispanic baseball league kicks off season"). This package about the Rochester Hispanic Youth Baseball League combined audio, video and still photos.
"Great editing job, taking full advantage of all tools," the judges said.
* Best Newspaper Website: The staff earned third place for the paper’s bilingual website, es.elmensajerorochester.com.
"Good movement and use of video make this an appealing web presence," the judges remarked.
* Best Multiple Picture Package Originating With the Newspaper — Feature: Crupi received an honorable mention for "Misa honra a Nuestra Senora de la Providencia" (Mass honors Our Lady of Providencia"), which documented a Mass celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Providencia, the patroness of Puerto Rico.
"Main photo was very nice," the judges said.
