The Surrey-North Delta leader has been recognized for journalistic excellence at both the B.C. and Yukon Community Newspapers Association (BCYCNA) Ma Murray Community Newspaper awards and the Local Media Association awards (formerly the Suburban Newspapers of America).
In the Local Media Association's awards competition, the results of which were announced Monday, The Leader won six awards:
• Paula Carlson was named Editor of the Year for 2014.
• Sheila Reynolds won first place in the Best Continuing Coverage category for her ongoing stories on the Surrey Six mass murder trial.
• Reynolds also won third place in the Feature category for a profile of Eileen Mohan, mother of one of the Surrey Six victims.
• Best News Photo, honourable mention, went to Boaz Joseph.
• Joseph also won an honourable mention for Best Feature Photo.
• The Leader won second place for Best Front Page.
At the Ma Murray awards held Saturday night at the River Rock casino in Richmond, reporter Kevin Diakiw was awarded top prize in the Feature Article category for his powerful piece titled Fenced In, the story of domestic abuse survivor Robin Brown.
“This extraordinary tale of abuse reads like a movie script," judges said. "Terrific pacing creates real momentum in the story. Although this is an ongoing societal problem recent news headlines make this piece even more compelling today."
Photojournalist Boaz Joseph won first place in the Spot News category with a dramatic photograph of a blood-soaked murder suspect being arrested by police.
“An undeniable choice for first place,” said the judges.
In the Ad Design category, Ann Robinson and Shelley Foster won third place.
The BCYCNA (BC and Yukon community newspaper association) is a non-profit membership organization representing 126 community newspapers throughout B.C. and the Yukon.
The LMA represents more than 2,600 newspapers across North America.