SAN DIEGO — The Southern Cross was among the winners in the San Diego Press Club’s 52nd annual “Excellence in Journalism” Awards, taking home three first-place awards and 12 awards overall.
More than 500 awards in 130 categories and 10 divisions were presented Oct. 28 at the Encore Event Center in Kearny Mesa. Entries from The Southern Cross competed in three divisions — Non-Daily Newspapers, Photography, and Website.
Photographer David Maung swept the “Photography – Still: Feature – Serious Subject” category, taking first and second place for photos taken at the diocese’s Indigenous People Mass and third place for a photo of the Eritrean Catholic community celebrating Christmas.
Of Maung’s first-place entry, the contest judges said, “I can see the swinging motion and hear the service.”
Other awards won by “The Southern Cross” included:
— First Place, Photography — Still: Feature – Light Subject, for a candid photo of Cardinal Robert W. McElroy with Bishops Felipe Pulido and Michael Pham before Mass, taken by Andy Hayt
— First Place, Photography — Still: News, for a photo from a prayer vigil for undocumented immigrants in downtown San Diego, taken by Charlie Neuman
— Second Place, Feature Layout Design, for “You Are Not Alone,” coverage of an interfaith prayer service for immigrants, by Editor Aida Bustos and Graphic Designer Shelly Pinomaki
— Second Place, Website: Overall Use of Design, for the Catholic Diocese of San Diego’s website
— Third Place, Feature — Light Subject, for “Parishioners Dancing to Better Health,” written by Aida Bustos
— Third Place, Photography — Still: News, for a photo of Bishop Andrew Cozzens leading Eucharistic adoration at the National Eucharistic Congress, by Leonardo Enrique Fonseca
— Third Place, General News, for “Pope Leo Is ‘One of Us’” by Assistant Editor Denis Grasska
— Honorable Mention, Feature — Light subject, “‘Young Saint’ Inspires Home for Catholic Youth” by Denis Grasska
— Honorable Mention, Profile, for “‘Deacon Bob’ Made History 50 Years Ago” by Denis Grasska
