Editor's Desk: Staff Honors

By Michael F. Flach
Herald Editor
(From the issue of 6/2/05)

The Arlington Catholic HERALD received six awards at the annual Catholic Press Association convention held last week on Orlando. This follows the paper’s successful achievements in 2004 when it received 10 awards.

Staff writer Alfonso Aguilar’s "La Primera Publicacion" was a first place winner in the Spanish language category "best writing on a local/regional event." The judges said his story was "excellent, fluid and effective in bringing out a forgotten chapter" of Hispanic journalistic history.

Aguilar also received four awards in 2004 and 2003. His other three Spanish language awards this year were: third place for best feature story "Parroquias vs. Pandillas"; third place for best lead article "La mujer hispana mas vieja del pais cumple 112 anos"; and honorable mention for best personality profile "Delia Chamorro."

The judges said Aguilar’s three-part series on Hispanic gangs in Northern Virginia was an "excellent presentation, bringing together broad and extensive information on gangs. It was a good use of space and a good decision to break the topic into three articles."

Production coordinator Michelle Hoopes won third place for best single ad (black and white) for her Project Rachel ad. Graphic artists Rhochelle Munsayac and Susan Scanlon received honorable mention for best local retail campaign for their Custom Carpet ads.

The judges said Hoopes’ ad "seems to jump right out at you. The cracks on the woman’s face made you want to know what the ad was about and compelled you to read it. The fonts used were good and clear. A simple ad, but, yet, very overwhelming."

Congratulations to the four award winners and the rest of the staff for their diligent efforts in producing a high-quality newspaper on a weekly basis. — M.F.F.

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