The Catholic Courier and El Mensajero Católico recently received a total of 13 awards from the Catholic Press Association for work published during 2010.
The CPA, which represents more than 600 Catholic publications in the United States and Canada, presented the awards June 24 during its annual convention in Pittsburgh.
The Courier won the following awards:
Best Stand-Alone (Web) Site: The Courier's website, www.catholiccourier.com, won first place.
“This site is enormously comprehensive, featuring everything from an up-to-date online calendar to extensive archives," the judges wrote. "It achieves this feat without sacrificing ease of navigation or a clean, pleasing interface. This site sets a high bar not just for Catholic media but for all media.”
Individual Excellence, Photographer/Artist: Photo Editor Mike Crupi won second place for a portfolio of his work.
“These photos are so effective because they are able to capture and freeze very intense emotions," the judges wrote. "We move from devout prayer to excitement to sadness. When you see the picture you want to immediately read the story.”
Best Investigative News Writing: Staff Writer Amy Kotlarz won third place for her October 2010 story, “Cord-blood donor is limited in choice,” about what happened to money earmarked to create an umbilical-cord blood bank in Syracuse.
“Story showed good accountability and enterprise,” the judges wrote.
Best Portrait: Crupi won third place for his August 2010 portrait of Tony Liccione, a Knight of Columbus and sports promoter who was working to resurrect Rochester's Hicock Belt.
“Layering of the old boxer’s image with Tony connects him to his quest," the judges wrote. "Nice lighting and expression on his face. A simple, yet balanced image.”
Best Online Multimedia Presentation of Visuals: Crupi took home a third-place award for his July 19, 2010, audio slideshow, “Immersion teaches valuable lessons,” about Rochester teens taking part in a weeklong Flower City Habitat for Humanity immersion experience.
“Impressive use of photography, multiple interviews and ambient sound to demonstrate the impact of student Habitat for Humanity service," the judges wrote.
