Messenger staff members earn statewide recognition

Posted: Thursday, July 31, 2008 10:14 pm

In the words of famed poet Walt Whitman, “If you done it, it ain’t bragging.” Or, if you prefer a quote from legendary St. Louis Cardinals’ pitcher Dizzy Dean, “It ain’t bragging if you done it.” Apart from the poor use of English, their point is clear. In the case of The Messenger, this is our yearly chance to brag to our readers about our staff members’ accomplishments. “Competing in three statewide contests, our news and sports staffs brought home 20 awards in writing and photography,” said Messenger Editor David Critchlow Jr. “And we think that is something to brag about.” He said the goal of the staff is to put out the best newspaper possible by bringing the most thorough and highest quality news coverage in the area. “I think that these awards are indicative of that commitment from our entire staff,” he said. Messenger entries were judged in contests sponsored by the Tennessee Press Association, Tennessee Associated Press Managing Editors and the Ten-nessee Sports Writers Associa-tion (see related story). “We didn’t just have success against newspapers our size, we also fared very well against some newspapers more than twice our size,” Critchlow said. “And that shows the quality of people we have covering Obion County and the surrounding area. “We’re proud of them and I think everyone in our readership area should be proud as well.” In the Tennessee Press Association’s 2008 newspaper contests, which was co-sponsored by the University of Tennessee, awards were given in five categories based on average weekly circulation, including small and large daily and non-daily papers. The Nebraska Press Association judged a total of 1,394 contest entries from 77 association papers. Winners from The Messenger included: • David Fuzzell, first place, Best Sports Photo; second place, Best Feature Photo. • Glenda Caudle, fourth place, Best Personal Column, “Anchoring Dreams.” • Chris Menees, fourth place, Best Personal Humor Column, “Slumber party.” In the Tennessee Associated Press Managing Editors contest, which was judged by Minnesota judges, more than 500 entries were considered. Messenger staffers garnered nine awards, including: • Mike Hutchens, first place, Sports-Outdoors Reporting category, “It’s Official.” • David Fuzzell, first place, Sports Photography; second place, Feature Photography. • Chris Menees, second place, Spot News Photography; second place, Photojournalism; second place, Individual Achievement/Body of Work in Photography; third place, Spot News Photography. • Donna Ryder, third place, Photojournalism; third place, Individual Achievement/Body of Work in Photography. Published in The Messenger 7.31.08