Last week, we had a chance to celebrate – virtually of course – the achievements of the past year in community news media.
The B.C. & Yukon Community News Media Association handed out its 2021 Ma Murray awards. The awards, went to community journalists, photographers, editors, and sales teams in the province with 132 awards presented in 44 categories.
The Optimist was nominated for three awards (general excellence, newspaper promotion and investigative journalism). We picked up silver for investigative journalism for a story I wrote last March on a severe case of school bullying – a story that I’m most proud of and consider to be some of my best work in the 25-plus years I have been working in this industry.
We picked up a bronze losing out to our sister publications Coast Reporter and Pique News Magazine in Whistler for general excellence and in newspaper promotion for the two-week section of names we ran on our front page last year thanking the community for their generosity and support as our business was challenged due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we also picked up a bronze.
These awards were won due to the hard work of the exceptional team we have here at the Optimist, but our loyal readers, advertisers and supporters in this community also share in our success. We would not have a community newspaper every Thursday in print and every day on the web without you.
As I sat back and watched the awards program, in awe of the work of so many of my colleagues, my mind reflected back on this community. I thought of the trust that so many have in us to tell stories – stories that matter – stories that challenge – stories that celebrate – stories that inform.
This past year, has challenged us in so many ways, both personally and professionally. To be recognized for our work is both rewarding and humbling.
