The Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association’s (AWNA’s) 2020 Better Newspaper Competition awards were presented virtually on May 28, 2021, and Ponoka News and the Bashaw Star were both recognized with several awards.
The general excellence awards are based on two complete issues of the papers from 2020. They are judged independently and scored on a number of criteria.
The awards of excellence then recognize submissions in the writing, advertising and photography categories.
Ponoka News is pleased to announce they placed third in Best Editorial Page, third in Best Front Page, and third Overall in their circulation category in the General Excellence Awards.
Ponoka News also received a first place award for the Best Habitat Conservation Story for Emily Jaycox’s story, “CPAWS says de-listing Alberta Parks creates risk for coal mining,” as well as a first place award for Creative Use of Colour in Advertising for an ad created by Jessica Crandall.
The Bashaw Star, which Ponoka News publishes, received third place for Best Editorial Page in its circulation category.
We are pleased for our other Black Press papers the Pipestone Flyer and the Stettler Independent that also won awards.
Ponoka News and the Bashaw Star congratulate all the winners and all community newspapers working diligently to serve their communities during this difficult time.