Criterion staff honored for excellence in journalism
Assistant editor John Shaughnessy’s story about Jenna Knapp’s mission work in Uganda won first place in the Society for the Propagation of the Faith’s “Interview with Missionaries” category. Knapp is a graduate of Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis. The Criterion recently won a total of six awards from the Catholic Press Association and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
Criterion staff report
Staff members of The Criterion were recently honored for excellence in journalism by two organizations.
The recognition included awards from the Catholic Press Association and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
Assistant editor John Shaughnessy was recognized as a 2009 Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Award winner for outstanding world mission coverage. He won first place in the Society for the Propagation of the Faith’s “Interviews with Missionaries” category for a feature about Indianapolis resident Jenna Knapp.
The story, “A celebration of life: Turning 21, college student discovers herself and her place in the world,” focused on the then-University of Notre Dame student’s mission work in Uganda.
The awards are named for the late Archbishop O’Meara, who served as the national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith from 1966 to 1979 then was Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein’s predecessor as shepherd of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis from 1979 to 1992. The society is responsible for informing Catholics about the Church’s worldwide mission and advising them of ways they can participate in that mission.
This is the fourth consecutive year that a staff member has been recognized for reporting on mission work, noted Criterion editor Mike Krokos.
“With the history of the awards and their connection to Archbishop O’Meara, we were very happy to once again be recognized by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith,” he said.
The CPA awards that staff members won for material published in 2009 include:
• First place—Best Newspaper Web Site Within a Diocesan or Archdiocesan Web Site, Brandon Evans, Web master, www.archindy.org/criterion.
“The Web site has a lot of information on the main page, but is laid out well and easily navigable,” judges wrote. “The layout is interesting and the graphics are minimal and not distracting. … Great Web site.”
• Second place—Best News Writing, local or regional event, assistant editor John Shaughnessy, for “A Question of Life and Death: Catholics confront death penalty issues as another death-row execution nears.”
“A compelling and well-done package of stories showing how death penalty cases have had a profound impact on the lives of three Indiana Catholics,” judges wrote.
• Second place—Best Personality Profile, assistant editor John Shaughnessy, for “Faith, Football and a Fatherly Instinct: Father John Hollowell knows joy and passion as a priest, teacher and coach.”
“… The author is able to show that [Father John Hollowell] reaches his pupils on many different levels, and makes a huge difference in their lives and they are a huge part of his life. Well written,” judges wrote.
• Second place, Best Sports Journalism, Sports Feature or Column, assistant editor John Shaughnessy, for “Part of the Team: Teenager’s approach to life creates magical bond connecting his family, friends and teammates.”
“Effective extended lead that keeps the readers’ attention,” judges wrote. “The story shares the emotion without being emotional. Nice ending.”
• Third place, Best Reporting on Young Adults, intern Kamilla Benko, for “College Catholics: Students living Catholic faith on campus.”
“Fun package! This provides a great, easy-to-read overview of Catholic students adjusting to life on campus,” judges wrote. “The layout was visually appealing as well.”
Greg Otolski, Criterion associate publisher, said the award recognition was well deserved.
“It’s always affirming when our staff is honored for their excellence in journalism and dedication to the evangelizing mission of the Church,” Otolski said. †
