Vanguard among big winners at newspaper awards convention

The Atlantic Community Newspapers Association (ACNA) presented awards to the region's best weekly newspapers during the association's annual convention in Halifax on Saturday night and the Vanguard received four first place awards and two third place showings.

The Vanguard's news staff received the 1st place award for best feature series for our After the Crash series. The series also won a national award from the Canadian Community Newspapers Association and was a finalist in the Canadian Association of Journalists investigative journalism competition.

This is what the ACNA judges said:

"First place was awarded to "After the Crash," a five-part feature series produced by the Yarmouth Vanguard. A real how-to guide on how to produce a compelling series. Well researched, well laid out, strong photos and graphics. Congratulations on such a strong team effort by the staff."

Associate editor Tina Comeau received the top prize for best news story

These are the judges remarks about her story:

"This is a classic example of enterprise journalism. Many reporters would have just reported the school bus accident. Instead Tina Comeau focused on the story, and the follow-up stories , on the ..... actions of the school board. She turned a traffic accident into public service journalism of the very best kind. She made smart decisions, then backed those up with crystal-clear prose. Vanguard readers are lucky to have her working in their community."

Pat Dempsey of the newspaper's advertising department placed first in the best ad promotion category. (The judges did not supply comments for this category).

The newspaper received the first place award for best special section, which detailed Dwight d'Eon's showing in the Canadian Idol contest.

Judges comments:

"Opportunity like this special on Dwight d'Eon has to be timely and this special section chronicled the success of this local Yarmouth County resident during his CTV Canadian Idol run. Good layout, photos well cropped and good cutlines. Excellent centre spread. Advertising blocks were standard easy to read, set up on pages clean. A good souvenir edition. Extra distribution nice touch."

The Vanguard, with 65 points, placed 3rd in the general excellence category. The Northern Pen from Newfoundland Labrador was first (80 points) and the Bridgewater Bulletin second with 69 points.

Here are the judges remarks about the Vanguard entry:

"Top marks were given to this paper for its features. It was evident they were planned out in advance and carefully laid out with plenty of breathing (white) space. Here too the news was newsy with Yarmouth and area readers being told what had happened in the immediate area the previous week. It was good to see one of the two editorials was a comment on a front page story."

The newspaper's editorial department received the 3rd place award for best in-house promotion (Bridgewater came first.)

Judges remarks:

"Their series of eyecatching ads promoting their reporters were very clever with both words and the photos used. A great way to not only introduce the reporting staff to the community, but also to let the community know that they are important as well. A quality promotion with impact."

Vanguard reporter Carla Allen, who does double duty with our sister publication the Shelburne Coast Guard, received a third place award in the best news story category. This is what the judges said:

“Rescues at sea are a staple of Atlantic Canadian journalism. Carla Allen wins third place for the quality of her writing. Her attention to detail, active verbs and careful quotes put the reader on the pitching deck as friends of drowning Josh Malone struggle to save him. This piece from the Shelburne County Coast Guard should be used as a primer for anyone studying how to write gripping rescue tales.”