The Catholic Standard newspaper and website of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington received nine awards in the 2022 Catholic Press Awards announced July 7 at the Catholic Media Association’s annual conference held in Portland, Oregon this year.
Here are the 2022 Catholic Press Awards received by the Catholic Standard:
A first place award for Best Website – Newspaper, Catholic Standard, Mark Zimmermann, editor. Managing editor Richard Szczepanowski updates the site throughout each week. In addition to news and features, the site includes the Black Catholic Voices multimedia series and other special series, a Junior Saints children’s section, photo galleries and commentary. Judges commended the site, saying, “This entry stands out for its strong design, which favors cleanness and readability by giving ample space to each news entry, emphasizing images over copy. The site deftly places ads inconspicuously, a feature which marred other entries. In mobile views, well-placed bottom buttons and a simple, uncluttered menu make navigation straightforward.”
A second place award for Best Sports Journalism – Sports News, for “Olympic swimming champion Katie Ledecky comes home to Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart,” Catholic Standard, story by Maureen Boyle photos by Andrew Biraj. Judges commented, “Excellent. Solid work!”
A second place award for Best Photo Story – News, for “Walk with Mary,” Catholic Standard, photos by Mihoko Owada. Judges noted, “The package offers nicely composed photos that clearly highlight different points in the celebration.”
A third place award for Best Multimedia Package Series, for “Black Catholic Voices” series on Catholic Standard website, interviews by Mark Zimmermann, photos by Andrew Biraj, videos by Geoffrey Ros and Ron Bethke. Judges commented that the series contained “important and interesting interviews.”
A third place award for Best Photograph – Sacramental, for “Youth with disability receives Communion at White Mass,” Catholic Standard, photo by Andrew Biraj. Judges praised the photo, saying, “The photographer captures just the right moment to portray the joy of this event. The photographer wisely focuses closely on the main subject’s face to make him the focal point and give significance to the event.”
- An honorable mention award for Best Reporting on Children and Teens, “Junior Saints: Learning and keeping the faith during the pandemic,” Catholic Standard newspaper and website, writings and artwork by students in Catholic schools in The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.
A student prays during a May 3, 2021 Mass marking the 60th anniversary of St. Philip the Apostle Catholic School in Camp Springs, Maryland. This photo was part of a series of photos that earned an honorable mention award in the Best Photo Gallery or Slide Show category in the 2022 Catholic Press Awards. (CS photo/Andrew Biraj)
- An honorable mention award for Best Photo Gallery or Slide Show, for “Cardinal Gregory celebrates 60th anniversary of St. Philip the Apostle Catholic School,” photos by Andrew (Biraj) Rozario on the Catholic Standard website.
- An honorable mention award for Best Reporting on the Celebration of a Sacrament, for “In two different cities, mother and daughter share a journey of faith to become Catholic,” Catholic Standard, story by Mark Zimmermann, photos by Andrew Biraj and Jaclyn Lippelmann.
- An honorable mention award for Best Multiple Picture Package – News, for “Blue Mass honors those who ‘stand in harm’s way as a witness to hope,’” Catholic Standard, Photos by Andrew Biraj.
El Pregonero, the Spanish-language newspaper and website of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, received 23 Catholic Press Awards in the 2022 competition, including a third place award for Spanish publication of the year and a second place award for best website for a Spanish publication.
