Bay State Parent Wins 8 Awards!

Bay State Parent magazine won 8 awards from the New England Press Association at its banquet on Saturday night. The magazine also was one of three finalists for the George A. Speers Newspaper of the Year award in the monthly circulation category, but lost to Vermont Woman magazine. The magazine earned 4 first place, 3 second place, and 1 third place awards.

*Photographer Steven King won first place for personality photo. His was the only award given in the monthly category. Submitted was the cover photograph of the 4th Annual Adoption Guide (2006). The judges wrote: "Striking image that is beautifully lit. The softness of the light helps convey the gentleness of the girl, while her face and eyes captivate the viewer. Her hands feel active and this brings life to the image. Really a lovely photograph."
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* Freelance writer Kate M. Jackson's human interest feature on 9/11 widows (Sept 2006 issue) earned first place for best feature story for a month publication. The judges wrote: Jackson does an excellent job of balancing narrative voice, vivid details and harvest themes to tell this story about personal loss and healing for these widows of Sept. 11. She successfully leads into the story by revisiting how their lives abruptly changes on Sept. 11, and captures the strength of these women through their daily routines as mothers.
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* The magazine also earned second place in that category for freelance writer Lynn Jolicoeur's feature on a camp for children who are HIV-positive, founded by the founder of Jordan's Furniture and his wife (April 2007 issue). The judges wrote: "The writer's magic shows in the way she uses Ivy's compelling story of abandonment to lead to a story about a fun, safe camp that embraces HIV-positive kids. Also, adding some of the thank-you letters from campers helped illustrate and give voice to the personal bond the kids have with this camp and the people who founded it."
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* The magazine's special report on sex offenders and online predators (October 2006 issue)earned a second place award for general news story for a monthly publication. Awarded were Sarah MacDonald, Marguerite Paolino and Susan Scully Petroni. Read the special report at: http://www.baystateparent.com/news/2006/1001/Articles/
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In the advertising category, Bay State Parent magazine won 4 awards.
*The magazine earned first place for a black & white local ad, designed by graphic designer Stephanie Renaud, for a charitable organization (http://www.coachgift.org/. The judges wrote: "This ad does a terrific job of conveying why a gift should be made to the charity it is advertising. Effective headline, minimal copy, great photo. Any parent with a child in sports will be drawn to this ad."
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* The magazine also took second place in the local ad black & white category with a house ad for the magazine's spring furniture & home decor guide. The judges wrote: "Good call to action for thsi ad for thepublication's special section. Clean copy, concise, useful information and an attention-grabbing photo that matches the headline perfectly. The ad was designed by creative director Paula Monette Ethier with copy by editor Susan Scully Petroni.
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* In the best local color ad category, Bay State Parent won first and third place. The first place ad was a help wanted ad for advertising representatives for our growing magazine. Designed by Paula Monette Ethier, the judges wrote: "Very clean reproduction and quality of color. Great benefit headline. Feature visual upper left and leading as it should be. Good use of color. Interesting and a pleasing ad."
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**Bay State Parent's sister publication The Landmark, won 5 NEPA awards. Both publications are part of the Holden Landmark Corp. Editorial cartoonist Don Landgren Jr. swept the weekly 2 newspaper category with first, second, & third place awards. Editor Jim Keough won a first place award for feature writing and a third place award for humor columnist in the weekly circulation division.
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This year's NEPA Contest featured more than 6,000 entries submitted by daily, weekly, and monthly publications published between July 2006 and July 2007. The entries were judged by the American Press Insitute.
The New England Press Association has more than 525 member newspapers with a total circulation of 5.9 million and 9.8 million readers in the six-state region. The annual convention in Boston draws more than 1,000 newspaper professionals.