Heralds earn top honors in state press contest

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The Herald Community Newspapers came up big in the New York Press Association’s 2019 Better Newspaper Contest, earning 18 awards, including five first-place honors, and placing fourth among newspaper groups in the state. 

Some 173 daily and weekly newspapers submitted a total of 2,198 entries in the annual competition, the results of which were announced via webcast on the NYPA website last Thursday and Friday. 

The Heralds’ sister publication in the Bronx, The Riverdale Press, earned seven accolades in the contest, bringing the total for Richner Communications Inc. publications to 25.

“I’m thrilled with our showing in this year’s competition,” Heralds Publisher Stuart Richner said. “The depth of our team shows in the breath of awards we came away with. These honors, judged by out-of-state journalists, demonstrate the talent and dedication of our team.

“Each week,” Richner continued, “our editors, reporters, photographers, layout artists, advertising account representatives, press operators and drivers put their hearts and souls into Herald Newspapers. Special thanks to Copy Editor Jim Harmon, the unsung hero of our Editorial Department.”

“I’m so proud to be a part of this team,” said Rhonda Glickman, the Heralds’ vice president of advertising sales. “Congratulations to all.”

Here’s a rundown of the accolades:

First Place honors

Heralds’ Photo Editor Christina Daly was named the 2019 NYPA Photographer of the Year. Daly submitted a portfolio of 10 news and feature photos.

Judges wrote, “Fireworks, sports, fun and emotion. This portfolio has a little bit of everything, and each image tells a story. Great angles. Very strong entry.

The Heralds’ seven-part series “The Racism Around Us” earned first place for Best News or Feature Series and second place for In-Depth Reporting.

Scott Brinton, the Heralds’ executive editor, was the series editor and a writer for it. Other writers included Jeff Bessen, Briana Bonfiglio, Timothy Denton, Andrew Garcia, Nakeem Grant, Melissa Koenig, Nadya Nataly, Robert Traverso and Darwin Yanes. Daly created the graphics and maps for the series.

Judges wrote, “Comprehensive and complete coverage of an issue — structural racism — which remains embedded within the American experience. This newspaper’s devotion to this story … represents a great service to readers.”

The Freeport Herald-Leader, Long Beach Herald and Oceanside-Island Park Herald were honored with a first-place award for Spot News Coverage for their in-depth reporting of the horrific murder of Oceanside High School student Khaseen Morris, 16, at an Oceanside strip mall last September.

The writers covering the story were Bonfiglio, Daly, Nataly, Anthony Rifilato and Yanes. Daly was also the primary photographer. 

Brinton wrote the editorial that accompanied the stories and edited the video that appeared with the online version of the initial story, and he and Mike Smollins were editors for what became a series of stories on the murder. 

Judges wrote, “Congratulations to a dedicated team that insisted on journalism more impactful than video clips and sensational headlines ripe for social media and judgmental commentary. Diligent, uncompromising, steady and focused, the newspaper produced quality journalism.”

The Merrick Herald Life was awarded first place for Coverage of Education. The paper submitted five stories on a variety of Board of Education and classroom news.

Writers included Garcia, Erik Hawkins and Alyssa Seidman.

Judges wrote, “Great storytelling … [Coverage] connects with readers on an emotional level … Great presentation and education of readers to understand the topic[s].”

The Herald Community Newspapers were honored with a first place for Special Section/Niche Publication on Newsprint for their section on Nassau County’s best attorneys, which accompanied an awards and networking event attended by hundreds. The event organizers included Amy Amato and Courtney Meyers. The section editor was Karen Bloom, and the designer was Jeff Negrin.

Judges wrote, “Very well done, thorough, consistently classy page design. Great presentation from a business that does not get a lot of play.”

Second Place honors

The Heralds sports editor, Tony Bellissimo, earned second place for Sports Writer of the Year for his portfolio of five stories covering events ranging from the Belmont Stakes to local high school sports.

Judges wrote, “Tight writing, vivid detail and great range distinguish this entry from the rest. Very nice job.”

Bonfiglio, reporter for the Oceanside-Island Park and Rockville Centre Heralds, received second place for Rookie Reporter of the Year for a five-story portfolio that examined subjects from teen mental health to the retirement of a local rabbi.

Judges wrote, “An impressive and versatile portfolio, from very tough subject matter — sexual abuse in the Catholic Church — to personality profiles to event coverage. What shines through in every story is Bonfiglio’s attention to the telling detail, quotes that move the story forward and thoughtful narrative.”

Rifilato earned second place for Community Leadership for his series of 20 stories that examined the City of Long Beach’s multi-million-dollar payout scandal.  

Brinton wrote the final editorial accompanying the stories, and occasionally contributed reporting and writing to the series and edited it.

Judges wrote, “Damn good reporting! Excellent coverage of government spending, complete with strong editorial support. Clearly the newspaper took a leadership position here.” 

Smollins, senior editor of the Lynbrook-East Rockaway and Oceanside Heralds, received second place for Headline Writing. Judges wrote, “Catchy and accurate headlines sampled across categories. Some obvious thought went into making the puns work.”

Third Place awards

Ronny Reyes, who is now the editor of the Freeport Herald Leader, received third place for In-depth Reporting for his work while he was the assistant editor of the Franklin Square-Elmont Herald last year.

Also contributing to the long-term series of stories was Peter Belfiore, editor of the Valley Stream and Franklin Square-Elmont Heralds.

Judges wrote, “Journalism that makes a difference: The comprehensive coverage of speeding cars on Dutch Broadway [in Elmont] and the ensuing community outrage provided a needed spotlight — and catalyst — for positive change.”

Laura Lane, senior editor of the Heralds’ North Shore editions of the Herald, was awarded third place for News Story for her news-feature on Timothy DeMeo, a first responder to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, who suffers from serious 9/11 health-related issues.

Judges wrote, “Well written and emotionally compelling, this story lays out an obvious miscalculation by the state on [a person] who deserves compensation for responding to the World Trade Center.”

Brinton earned third place for Column Writing for three columns on a range of subjects. Judges wrote, “This is a writer who takes his journalism personally, relating to his subjects, telling their stories passionately and gratefully. His storytelling is compassionate and introspective — his columns are a good read.”

Brian Ballweg received third place for Sports Feature Photo for a shot of the Rockville Centre girls’ volleyball team celebrating after a championship victory. Judges wrote, “Great expressions. Great color and sharpness.”

Honorable Mention

Best Front Page, Valley Stream Herald — Nicole Alcindor, Judy Ammerman, Belfiore, Koenig and Yolanda Rios.

Spot News Photo, Valley Stream Herald — Susan Grieco

Best Small Space Ad, Long Beach Herald — Mona Waitzman

Best Small Space Ad, Lynbrook-East Rockaway Herald — Gabrielle Sobell