We don’t like to brag – as a general rule – but we’re so proud right now we just have to share. Metro Parent won ten awards – including first place in the top editorial category, Overall Writing! – in Parenting Publications of America (PPA) 2010 Editorial and Design Excellence Competition. In addition to the Gold for Overall Writing, we garnered Silver awards in Overall Reporting and in Ancillary Overall Writing for our supplemental issue Your Baby & You, and four of our wonderful writers (Teresa Carson, Anne Laufe, Emily Puro and Marie Sherlock) earned individual awards – two Golds, two Silvers and three Bronzes.
PPA is a national trade association of regional parenting publications with over 120 member publications across the country. Each year, PPA’s Editorial and Design Awards Competition recognizes excellence in journalism by publishers, editors, writers and designers at member publications. The 2010 awards were announced on March 6.
“We’re really overwhelmed by the sheer number of awards we earned this year,” said our publisher, Marty Griffy. “The Gold award for Overall Writing is particularly exciting as it’s the top editorial category and indicates the depth and quality of the magazine. … Throughout the year, our readers give us positive feedback about the magazine – and those are the opinions that really matter, of course, but these awards from the experts are pretty darned cool!”
Most of all, we want to express our extreme gratitude and respect for our amazing writers. They’re all parents living in the Portland metro area, juggling work and family just like our readers, and they’re all exceptional journalists who get to the heart of each story to deliver clear, concise articles that entertain, inform and assist our readers on their parenting journeys.
Here’s a list of the awards we took home this year, along with the judges comments:
GOLD AWARDS:
Overall Writing (THE TOP EDITORIAL AWARD): Marie Sherlock, editor
Judges comments: Lots of humanity, lots of personality, lots of description distinguish this writing. When the subject turns serious, as in a well-reported piece on paid family leave, clarity is the prime virtue. Matching tone to content is a key to success.
Interview: “Juggling Fatherhood: Rhys Thomas Talks About His Balancing Act” – Marie Sherlock, writer and editor (Read this article online.)
Judges comments: Seldom does a Q&A format engage the reader like this piece of work. Juggler and comedian Rhys Thomas is a unique personality, and this interview keeps several balls in the air to help his character shine through.
Photo Cut-Lines (Captions): Marie Sherlock, writer/editor
Judges comments: Every photo has a cutline, and the cutline clearly identifies what is happening in the photo without repeating obvious information as well as links the photo to the content of the page. Of course, they are grammatically correct, but they are also written in a way that “sells” the story to the reader.
SILVER AWARDS
Overall Reporting
Judges comments: This publication’s departments have flair, especially “Going Places with Ramona,” and reporting is thorough, timely and authoritative. When Metro Parent “goes deep” on a subject, the result is satisfying and useful.
Ancillary Overall Writing: Your Baby and You, 2009-10, Anne Laufe, Eneida Nemecek; Sarah Pagliasotti; Kendra Jacobson, writers; Marie Sherlock, editor (Read this issue online.)
Judges comments: This publication provided useful information to parents, but it also touched on provocative subjects. The stories were well sourced and the writing was good. The resource list at the end of the publication was excellent.
General Feature Writing: “The Great Vaccination Debate” – Anne Laufe, writer; Marie Sherlock, editor (Read this article online.)
Judges comments: This very thoroughly reported story looks as the issue of vaccinations, assessing the many sides, advantages and disadvantages. The writer handles the complex topic well and presents some history on the debate as well as contemporary opinions by parents, physicians and those who practice naturopathic medicine. The writer doesn’t force any one angle to the story but lets it unfold to the readers.
Ancillary Feature Writing: “Closing the Math-Science Gender Gap” – Anne Laufe, writer; Marie Sherlock, editor (Read this article online.)
Judges comments: Taking on a subject as controversial as the “math-science gender gap,” particularly when girls tend to be viewed as the students who are deficient, means that a reporter better have her facts straight. The depth of reporting and the willingness to challenge stereotypes kept this article fair and informative.
BRONZE AWARDS
News Feature: “Giving Parents a Break” – Teresa Carson, writer; Marie Sherlock, editor
Judges comments: This is one of those political pieces that does a service to the community by informing parents—and voters—about pending legislation that could have a significant impact. In a well-researched, and carefully reported feature, this author uses an accessible well-developed narrative to explain efforts underway to adopt a paid family leave law in Oregon.
Service Feature: “Education Matters!” – Emily Puro, writer; Marie Sherlock, editor
Judges comments: A comprehensive and in-depth look at how parents can help their children learn to — and maybe even like to — read. Loaded with tips and information for every stage of a child’s life.
Ancillary Feature Writing: “Online Learning: Do Virtual Schools Offer a Real Education?” – Emily Puro, writer; Marie Sherlock, editor (Read this article online.)
Judges comments: As traditional notions of education transform under the effects of the electronic age, questions about online learning and how children respond to it make for interesting reading. In a fact-filled and in-depth look at digital schooling, the author offers unique insights into this modern phenomenon.
March 10th, 2010 | Category: Metro Parent
