The Catholic Standard newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington earned eight top awards presented at the 2015 Catholic Media Conference in Buffalo, New York, on June 26. The Catholic Standard won national recognition for its columns, its special sections, news reporting, cover design and photography. El Pregonero, the Spanish language community newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington, won 10 top awards in the competition’s Spanish language division, for general excellence, editorials, columns, news and feature stories, front page design and for its website.

The 2015 Catholic Press Awards from the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada were announced at the closing dinner of the Catholic Media Conference.

The Catholic Standard’s 2015 Catholic Press Awards in the newspaper division included:

•  Second place, Best Regular Column, Spiritual Life: “5 Things” columns by Father William Byrne. The columns entered were “5 things I learned from my dog,” “5 tips for Son bathing,” and “5 ways to put the thanks back in Thanksgiving.” Judges commented, “These were well written columns with an unconventional approach that didn’t get too cute or breezy.” Father Byrne, who becomes the pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Potomac, Maryland, on July 1, served in recent years as the Archdiocese of Washington’s Secretary for Pastoral Ministry and Social Concerns and as pastor of St. Peter Parish on Capitol Hill in Washington.

•  Third place, Best Regular Column by a Bishop or Archbishop: “The Teaching of Christ” columns by Cardinal Donald Wuerl. The columns entered were “Our Holy Week Journey,” “Raising our Awareness and our Voices,” and “The Passionate Love of Pope Paul VI for Christ and his Church.” Judges noted, “Well-done, two-page summary of Holy Week, with full-color photos and the cardinal’s explanatory text on the focus of each day’s liturgy… Other columns address our silence in the face of human atrocities worldwide, with an attention-grabbing photo, and reflections on Pope Paul VI. The use of the first person ‘we’ in the columns is indicative of the cardinal’s pastoral approach.”

•  First place, Best Regular Special Supplement: “Catholic Schools Week” by Catholic Standard staff. Judges commented, “Great package! It truly brings its people to life – the teachers, students, laity and religious. Had a nice vocations message. Would make readers feel great about our schools. This was by far the best supplement on this topic and the best overall as well.”

•  Second place, Best Special Supplement or Special Issue with Advertising Emphasis: “Graduation section” by Catholic Standard staff. Judges noted, “A wealth of content about the Class of 2014 that is supported with elegant and appealing design.”

•  Honorable mention, Best News Writing Originating with the Paper on International Event: “Maryland parish recalls doctor who died of Ebola as hero, man of faith,” by Richard Szczepanowski, Catholic Standard reporter. Szczepanowski reported on the death of Dr. Martin Salia, a Maryland Catholic doctor who died after contracting the Ebola virus while treating patients in his native Sierra Leone. Dr. Salia’s Funeral Mass was held at St. Mary Church in Landover Hills, Maryland. Judges commented, “In simplicity, the author covers the death of an Ebola victim and doctor who sacrificed his life in saving others. The story is moving and along with solid information on the situation, the author weaves in the biography and spiritual legacy of this unspoken hero (and his impact) on his family, coworkers and those he risked his life to heal.”

•  Second place, Best Front Page, Tabloid: Catholic Standard covers, designed by Javier Diaz, production assistant for the Catholic Standard, with photos by Jaclyn Lippelmann, the Catholic Standard’s staff photographer. Judges noted, “Great photo selection and good typography as well… Very clean design.” 

•  Third place, Best Photograph: Best Sports Photo: “Brotherhood at center ice: Gonzaga hockey players square off to honor fallen teammate,” by Jaclyn Lippelmann, the Catholic Standard’s staff photographer. Lippelmann photographed a game that hockey players from Gonzaga College High School in Washington held to honor their fallen teammate, Dominik Pettey, who had been killed in a traffic accident. Judges noted that Lippelmann’s photos showed “the team support following the death of a teammate. Visually the sign behind the two players (reading, ‘One Team, One Family’) helps tell the story.”

•  Honorable mention, Best Multiple Picture Package Originating with a Newspaper, Feature Package: “Summer fun and faith in action at Camp Good Counsel” by Jaclyn Lippelmann, staff photographer for the Catholic Standard. Judges commented, “Great cover photo and candid shots of the counselors and kids. Well done.”

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The 2015 Catholic Press Awards received by El Pregonero, the Archdiocese of Washington’s Spanish language newspaper, included:

•  Third Place, General Excellence, Spanish Language Publication: El Pregonero.

•  First place, Best Front Page, Tabloid: El Pregonero cover designs by Javier Diaz, production assistant for El Pregonero. Judges noted, “Very nicely done. Visually exciting. Typographically excellent.”

•  First place, Best News Writing, Local/Regional Event (Spanish Award): Story by Miguel Vivanco, assistant editor for El Pregonero. Judges commented, “A great example of how a ‘hard news’ story can also become inspiring, engaging and deeply religious.”

•  Second place, Best News Writing on a National or International Event (Spanish Award): Story by Andrea Acosta, reporter for El Pregonero.

•  First place, Best Editorial Page (Spanish Award): El Pregonero.

•  Third place, Best In-Depth Analysis (Spanish Award): Story by Andrea Acosta, reporter for El Pregonero.

•  Third place, Best Website (Spanish Award): El Pregonero staff. Judges commented, “The content is well-organized and placed. The look and feel of the website is attractive.”

•  Second place, Best Coverage of Cultural Heritage (Spanish Award): Story by Rafael Roncal. Judges noted, “A well-crafted look at the history of the publication, and the challenges for the future. Informative and inspiring.” 

•  Third place, Best Regular Column by a Bishop or Archbishop (Spanish Award): Columns by Washington Auxiliary Bishop Francisco González, who is now retired.

•  First place, Best Editorial: Editorial by Rafael Roncal. Judges praised the editorial, saying it was “well written and offering a bridge between current events and faith.”