Three Times Record News staffers received awards at the 2018 Texas APME conference in Corpus Christi last weekend.
In a year dominated by state coverage of Hurricane Harvey and the tragic mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, the Times Record News earned high marks in other areas, such as a college community grief-stricken by the death of a football player but full of spirit and resolve.
Midwestern State University – and Wichita Falls – mourned the loss of cornerback Robert Grays, who died in September from injuries sustained during a game against Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Grays' jersey number, 24, remained a constant sighting on campus throughout the season.
A photo gallery of the MSU Texas homecoming bonfire earned photo journalist Lauren Roberts a second place award in Division 3A.
The judges' comments for Roberts' work: "Great use of lighting in what could be a tough shooting situation. Nice work with unique angles."
Division 3A includes such newspapers as: The El Paso Times, The Waco Tribune-Herald, The Beaumont Enterprise, Abilene Reporter-News, McAllen Monitor, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Tyler Morning Telegraph and Longview News-Journal.
Editor Deanna Watson earned a third-place award in General Column Writing, namely for commentaries about the #Metoo movement, the shooting of Rep. Steve Scalise and a middle school teacher who became a refuge for hungry and frightened students.
The judges' comments for Watson's work: "The column about your experience as a young girl is especially personal and powerful, in part because it's the first time you have ever shared the story – with anyone. That creates a real sense of palpable intimacy with the reader. The column also performs a public service by demonstrating that #metoo incidents may not always be immediately reported, but are no less credible."
Sports writer Jonathan Hull earned honorable mention in Sports Features, for his story on Rider High School football player Colton Ward, whose amputation did not keep him from joining his teammates on the sidelines or, thrillingly, on the field.
No judges' comments were given in this category.