ATLANTA — The annual Catholic Media Association awards competition recognized the Catholic Herald, with the diocesan Office of Communications also repeatedly honored, across a broad range of categories at the Catholic Media Conference June 21.
The Catholic Herald received 25 awards, including strong showings in photography and video production; background reporting; graphic design and advertising layouts. As the diocesan news website and biweekly newspaper, the Herald prints 26 issues a year and publishes Catholic local, national and Vatican news daily online and through its social media channels and free weekly e-newsletter each Thursday.
“The Catholic Herald staff is grateful for the support of Bishop (Michael F.) Burbidge, the board of directors, parishes, advertisers and individual subscribers, which makes our work possible,” said Kevin Schweers, executive editor. “It is a blessing to publish stories and images that invite people to grow deeper in the Catholic faith. The team is honored to have its work recognized against such strong competition.”
The Herald nearly swept its class in the field of analysis/background news writing. Staff Writer Anna Harvey won first place for “Navigating gender dysphoria,” while Schweers received second place for an artificial intelligence backgrounder “Man and machine” and Managing Editor Ann Augherton nabbed an honorable mention for “The Catholic obligation to vote.” Augherton also won awards for best headline writing (“Reaping the Fruit(cakes) of Labor”) and excellence in news layout.
A feature on Washington Nationals’ pitcher Trevor Williams living out the Catholic faith received second place for both sports journalism (Zoey Maraist, staff writer) and use of video in social media (Maraist and Ana Lucia Batista, digital and social media specialist), as well as third place in the best video competition (Hannah Camerota and Kerry Nevins, diocesan multimedia producers). Maraist was also cited for best coverage of pro-life issues (second place, “God and somebody next to you”) and photography, winning first place in the Catholic education category (“Linton Hall School: Small performers, big patriotism”).
Other video and photography standouts include “Work, prayer, and fruitcake: Meet Virginia’s Trappist monks” (Camerota, first place, best video on religious life), and coverage of the diocesan pilgrimage (first place, best photo story, Nevins and colleagues Mary Brodeur and Pedro Lopez); Holy Week (Joe Cashwell, Camerota, Harvey and Maraist); and Palm Sunday (Pia Hovenga, design and production specialist).
For best use of graphics, Hovenga also won first place (“Average weekend Mass attendance”) and an honorable mention (“Pope Francis’ pontificate timeline”). David Garcia, graphic designer, won several honors, including first, second and third place for most effective use of small space for advertising.
The diocesan Office of Communications was recognized a number of times for its work, particularly video production. Camerota, Nevins and their colleagues won five awards, including honorable mentions for video and social media work featuring clergy, and the department won first place for diocesan video fundraising appeal, benefiting the Catholic Communications Campaign.
2024 Catholic Media Association awards
Catholic Herald awards
Best Single Ad Originating with the Publication — Online Ad
Second Place, Terra Sancta, David Garcia
Best Single Ad Originating with the Publication — Online Ad
Third Place, Embers Theatre Company, David Garcia
Best Single Ad Originating with the Publication — Online Ad
First Place, Institute of Catholic Culture, David Garcia
Best Ad Campaign Originating with the Publication for Advertiser
Second Place, Diocese of Arlington Jubilee Events, Pia Hovenga and David Garcia
Most Effective Use of Small Space
First place, St. Ann Post-it, David Garcia
Second Place, Kilmarnock Inn, David Garcia
Third Place, Revelations Counseling & Consulting, David Garcia
Best Special Supplement or Special Issue with Advertising Emphasis
Third Place, Catholic Schools Week, ACH Advertising Staff
Best Use of Graphics — Best Chart or Information Graphic
First Place, “2022 Average Weekend Mass Attendance,” Pia Hovenga
Honorable Mention, “Pope Francis’ Pontificate Timeline,” Pia Hovenga
Best Layout of Article or Column — Diocesan
Honorable Mention, “10 years with Pope Francis; Bringing the Gospel to the World,” Ann M. Augherton and Pia Hovenga
Best Coverage — Pro-life Issues
Second Place, “God and Somebody Next to You,” Zoey Maraist
Best Headline
Third Place, “Reaping the Fruit(cakes) of Labor,” Ann M. Augherton
Best Analysis/Background/Round-Up News Writing — The Gerard E. Sherry Award — Non-Weekly
First Place, “Navigating Gender Dysphoria,” Anna Harvey
Second Place, “Man and Machine,” Kevin Schweers
Honorable Mention, “The Catholic Obligation to Vote,” Ann M. Augherton
Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues — Solidarity
Second Place, “Annulment Explained,” Meghan Bartlett
Best Sports Journalism — Sports News
Second Place, “Nats Pitcher’s Big League Faith,” Zoey Maraist
Best Multiple Picture Package — News
Third Place, “Holy Week,” Joe Cashwell, Hannah Camerota, Anna Harvey and Zoey Maraist
Best Multiple Picture Package — News
Honorable Mention, “Palm Sunday,” Pia Hovenga
Best Photograph — Catholic Education
First Place, “Linton Hall School: Small Performers, Big Patriotism,” Zoey Maraist
Best Photo Story — News
First Place, “Diocesan Pilgrimage,” Mary Brodeur, Pedro Lopez and Kerry Nevins
Best Video — Feature, Diocesan and National News Organizations
Third Place, “Faith on the Field: Meet Trevor Williams,” Hannah Camerota and Kerry Nevins
Best Video — Religious Life, Diocesan and National News Organizations
First Place Work, “Prayer, and Fruitcake: Meet Virginia’s Trappist Monks,” Hannah Camerota
Best Use of Video on Social Media — News Organization
Second Place, “Nats Pitcher Trevor Williams Has Big League Faith,” Ana Lucia Batista, Hannah Camerota and Kerry Nevins
Arlington Diocese Awards
Best Diocesan Video Fundraising Appeal — Produced by Communications Dept. Staff
First Place, Catholic Communications Campaign, Arlington Communications Department
Best Video — The Clergy, Diocesan and National News Organizations
Honorable Mention, “Meet the 2023 Ordinandi Class,” Kerry Nevins, Hannah Camerota, Marvin Molina, Mary Brodeur and Pedro Lopez
Best Use of Video on Social Media — The Clergy, Diocesan and National News Organizations
Honorable Mention, “POV: You Answer the Call,” Hannah Camerota, Kerry Nevins, and Mary Brodeur
Best Use of Video on Social Media — The Clergy, Diocesan and National News Organizations
Honorable Mention, “On Prayer with Fr. Luke,” Hannah Camerota, Kerry Nevins, Mary Brodeur, and Anne Norris
Best Use of Video on Social Media — Ongoing Series, Diocesan and National News Organizations
Honorable Mention, “Searching for More,” Kerry Nevins, Hannah Camerota, and Mary Brodeur
This story has been updated.
