Recognized for excellence in ‘Photography & Design’
Each spring the Colorado Press Association (CPA) and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) recognize newspapers, editors and journalists for their hard work and dedication over the previous year’s news cycle. While the pandemic upended most newsrooms, papers shifted the focus to bring coronavirus coverage to our communities in the year 2020, notable journalism emerged out of it all — for many the news cycle became more paramount than ever before. Social media channels brought grass roots coverage to communities, while in depth reporting in Colorado touched on everything from mental health to wolf reintroduction — while staying on top of coronavirus news and information.
The Southern Ute Drum earned a total of 12 media awards combined from the SPJ and CPA media competitions. Additionally, the Colorado Press Association contest judges recognized the Southern Ute Drum for overall “Excellence in Photography & Design” for our printed newspaper. The Southern Ute Drum won six awards in the 2020 Colorado Better News Media Contest — competing in a Class 5 circulation category against other newspapers throughout Colorado.
The Southern Ute Drum’s Composition Technician/Designer Robert L. Ortiz earned First Place for Best News or Feature Photograph for “Saluting our Veterans.” Southern Ute Drum Admin Assistant and Public Relations Coordinator, Trennie Collins won Second Place in Best News or Feature Photograph for “Walking for those who can’t.” Collins also earned a First Place win for Best Health Feature Story for her article, “Easing mental health in the face of COVID-19” and Second Place for Place Best Health Feature Story, “Mental Health: Giacci helps us heal from our past.”
Southern Ute Drum Editor and Media Manager, Jeremy Wade Shockley took home a First Place win for Best Photo Essay — “Bear Dance: Honoring the bear, upholding tradition.” Southern Ute Drum Reporter/Photographer McKayla Lee earned Second Place for Best Photo Essay — “Students stay Close Up in D.C.”
The Society of Professional Journalists also awarded the Drum with six awards for our 2020 coverage in the annual Top of the Rockies newspaper competition, competing against regional newspapers across the West.
Ortiz won Third Place in Feature Page Design for “The Southern Ute Drum Presents: 2019 Year in Review.” Lee garnered Third Place in Sports Photography/Videography for “Cross-court action.” Collins took Second Place in Sports Photography/Videography for “Rockin’ the courts.”
Shockley brought home a total of three awards for his 2020 news coverage; earning Second Place in AG and Environment: News for an article titled: “Wolf reintroduction reaches state ballot,” Second Place in Pandemic Photography/Videography for “Tribe rolls out mass testing events in response to coronavirus” and Third Place in Spot News Photography for — “The ‘Chief’ draws controversy.”
The Southern Ute Drum is honored to receive these honors on behalf of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and the tribal community whose lives and events we cover.