COURIER RECOGNIZED IN SDNA NEWSMEDIA CONTEST
Courier recognized at
2023 SDNA convention
Weekly wins a dozen awards for writing, photography, design
The Courier won first place among all weeklies across the state in the category of Best Publication Website — freemansd.com — in the South Dakota NewsMedia Association’s (SDNA) 2023 SDNA Better NewsMedia Contest. The results of the contest were announced at the association’s 141st annual convention held in Huron Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27.
In their comments, judges from the Wyoming Press Association noted the use of white space and photography set freemansd.com apart from other websites entered into the competition.
Best Publication Website was one of 12 awards won by The Courier in SDNA’s most recent contest.
Others included:
- First place for Best Typography & Design. The judges wrote: This is, hands-down, the best looking paper of the bunch. There’s a terrific large photo on the front to draw you in. The kickers at the top of the pages really stand out and balance the pages, and there’s great consistency in layout, fonts, and spacing throughout. Photos are big and bold, and this paper, overall, is neat and clean in design, leading, and headlines, making it easy to read and to navigate. This is a great-looking paper! Nice job!
- First place for Best Feature Story (Non-Profile) that went inside the pancake and sausage feed hosted by the church in Olivet. The judges wrote: “Why do we gather in groups? This piece explores that crucial question in a small, religious place that is dedicated to tradition but not immune from change. Quotations, concrete details and use of images capture the culture.”
- First place for Best Feature Series, a two-part look at Kent Wintersteen, his battle with cancer and the legacy he has built in the Olivet and Menno communities — and beyond. The judges wrote: “This is how a series is done – I’m sure people rushed in for the second part. Great writing and organizing made this piece stand head and shoulders above the competition. Kudos!”
- First place for Best Photo Series for Jeremy Waltner and Tim Waltner, who together captured the 2023 Schmeckfest musical, “State Fair.”
- Second place for Best Headline Writing
- Second place for Best Sports Column based on three submissions by Publisher Jeremy Waltner
- Second place for Best Sports Series, a look back at the history of Valley View Golf Course. The judges wrote: “Excellent coverage of what is clearly a ‘community hallmark.’ Very detailed, good research and use of history. Original idea, too. Paper examines this community amenity’s past, present and future.”
- Second place for Best Use of Local Photography in an ad — an image of girls eating ice cream for Berrybrook Dairy Nook. The judges wrote: “This ad, even though in black and white, has a fun and inviting photo of the girls eating the product … plus a nice, clean image of the product itself. Nice job!”
- Third place for Best Photo Series for Jeremy Waltner’s look at Menno Band Day.
- Third place for Best Sports Photo for Jeremy Waltner’s shot of Rylee Peters and Ashton Massey running the hurdles side by side at last year’s State Track Meet. The judges wrote: “This was among the better action images of all the entries. The image could have been improved by cropping tighter on the runners.”
- Third place for Best Portrait Photo for Jeremy Waltner’s image of Kaelie Derby as the antagonist in the Menno one-act play, “Dark Road.”
General excellence
The following publications won for general excellence:
Weeklies Under 1,300
1st place: Hamlin County Republican
2nd place: Vermillion Plain Talk
3rd place: Tea Weekly
Weeklies Over 1,301
1st place: Fall River County Herald Star
2nd place: Webster Reporter and Farmer
3rd place: Mobridge Tribune
All Multi-Day Publications
1st place: Rapid City Journal
2nd place: Yankton Press & Dakotan
3rd place: Mitchell Republic
