Criterion staff receives honors for excellence in journalism
Assistant editor John Shaughnessy of The Criterion received a first-place award from the Catholic Media Association of the United States and Canada for his story on then-19-year-old Anton Bezborodov, a foreign exchange student from Ukraine, and his desperate yearning to return to Indianapolis to the home of Beth and Thomas Wright, the family who had adopted him as one of their own. The award was presented in the “Best Reporting on Social Justice Issues—Solidarity” category.
Criterion staff report
Staff members of The Criterion were recently honored for excellence in journalism by three organizations.
The recognition included awards from the Catholic Media Association of the United States and Canada (CMA), the Woman’s Press Club of Indiana (WPCI) and the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW).
WPCI and NFPW awards
The recognition for work completed during the 2022 calendar year started in April when staff writer Natalie Hoefer was honored by WPCI. She garnered five awards:
—First place: Special articles, Religion—“More than 1,000 Zomi Catholics gather in Indy for National Eucharistic Congress”;
—First place: Special articles, Obituary—“William Bruns leaves a legacy of service to the archdiocese”;
—First place: Profile, more than 750 words—“Ryves director offered youths 40 years of ‘support, positive memories’ and love”;
—Second place: Column—“Mass Excursions: St. Boniface boasts outreach, historic church and hospitality’;
—Third place: Photographer-Writer—“March for Life and rally draw nearly 1,000 hopeful for the end of Roe v. Wade.”
All three of her WPCI first-place entries advanced to the national NFPW competition.
In the NFPW competition, Hoefer’s honors included:
—Second place: Special articles, Obituary—“William Bruns leaves a legacy of service to the archdiocese”;
—Honorable Mention: Special articles, Religion—“More than 1,000 Zomi Catholics gather in Indy for National Eucharistic Congress.”
CMA awards
The staff received more recognition on June 9 during the awards program, held in Baltimore, of the Catholic Media Association of the United States and Canada.
Assistant editor John Shaughnessy was awarded first place in the “Best Reporting on Social Justice Issues—Solidarity,” for his article, “Faith, a couple’s love and extended family help guide a Ukrainian to his true home.” The story focused on then-19-year-old Anton Bezborodov, a foreign exchange student from Ukraine, and his desperate yearning to return to Indianapolis to the home of Beth and Thomas Wright, the family who had adopted him as one of their own.
“[A] compelling story,” judges wrote. “Written in a way that keeps the suspense so that the reader continues to the end to see how the story turns out.”
Shaughnessy also received first place recognition for “Best Reporting on a Special-Age Group—Young adults ages 18-40” category for his series, “Finding a Home, Living the Faith.”
The stories included: “Acts of kindness lead young couple to love and a mission to bring college students to God”; “Young firefighter’s trust in God continues to be inflamed, even in life-threatening moments”; and “Young woman finds a friendship with God on her journey to her dream.”
“Well-written and thought provoking, these stories explore the need and value of discovering not only ourselves and our relationship to others, but our relationship to Jesus,” judges wrote. “So, we read of a couple, now with two children, who met in college and developed not only their personal relationship but also made sure their relationship with God became stronger. And we are also introduced to a firefighter who reaches for his rosary as he battles a threatening Idaho forest fire and later proclaims that his relationship with God is very strong. And of a young girl who had enough faith to leave her familiar Mexico to finish high school in the States. Inspiring without being too preachy.”
Reporter Sean Gallagher earned a first-place award in the “Best Reporting on Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious Life or Diaconate—Series.” The articles included: “Seminarians’ wood-chopping work …”; “Personal trials prepare Deacon Michael Clawson …”; Challenges in diaconate formation …”; “Missionaries of Charity in Indianapolis …”; and “Hardships and blessings of Burmese seminarians …”
“ ‘Wood-chopping’ gives good view of how [future] priests can better immerse themselves in the lives of their parishioners,” judges noted. “Clawson [profile] is a great look at a compelling story leading a man into the priesthood.”
Editor Mike Krokos won a second-place award in the “Best Reporting on a Special-Age Group—Senior Citizens.”
“From Nigeria to Bloomington, sharing the joy of Jesus drives Dominican priest’s mission” offered a profile on Dominican Father Justus Pokrzewinski, who ministered in Nigeria for several decades and now ministers to college students at St. Paul Catholic Center on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington.
“Floating in a canoe along the Niger River, Dominican Father Justus Pokrzewinski knew he was heading into a vast mission, but he was moving toward a lifetime of service that included 57 years in Africa,” judges wrote, “and continues today as a 90-year-old priest in residence who [celebrates] Mass and hears confessions and, oh, yes, also ministers to college students. It is all part of one whole—sharing the joy of Jesus. An inspirational, readable story sprinkled with quotes and great pictures.”
Krokos also received a second-place honor in the “Best Editorial on a National or International Issue—Weekly Newspaper” for “Praying for peace and the conversion of hardened hearts,” which reflected on Russia’s unjust invasion of Ukraine and the lives lost as a result of the war.
“A great topic in the news and guidance on how to approach it from a Catholic perspective,” judges wrote. “Excellent prose. The conclusion presents a clear action that is achievable by any reader. And it is a good reminder of what the reader’s response should be to similar situations past and present. Nice work!”
Gallagher received third place recognition in the “Best Photograph—Holy Days/Liturgical Seasons” category for his photo,” Honoring St. Lucy,” which was taken on her feast day during a Dec. 13, 2022, Mass celebrated at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Indianapolis.
“It’s a nice photo that draws in the reader to wonder what is going in,” judges wrote. “So, while the photo doesn’t necessarily tell a story on its own, it nevertheless compels the viewer to want to know more. Plus, it is a nice composition with the lighting and shading. Nice work!”
Shaughnessy earned a third-place honor in the “Best Feature Writing—Weekly Newspaper” category for his story, “To honor their son’s life, parents strive to change the world, one person at a time.” The article focused on Steve and Cheryl Shockley and how the parents dealt with their son Jack’s tragic murder and the scholarship fund they created in his memory.
“Well-written, heartfelt [story],” judges noted. “[It] keeps readers entranced from beginning to end.”
Online editor and graphic designer Brandon A. Evans was recognized with an honorable mention award in the “Best Regular Column—Spiritual Life” for his column, “Sight Unseen,” an occasional column that explores God and the world.
Krokos also earned an honorable mention honor in the “Best Editorial on a National or International Issue—Weekly newspaper” for his editorial, “More unspeakable tragedies and our response as people of faith.” The editorial focused on the mass shootings at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and a grocery store shooting in Buffalo, N.Y., and how faith must play a role in how tragedies such as these are addressed.
On June 8, the CMA presented its 2023 Cardinal John P. Foley Award to Katie Rutter, a video producer, editor, writer, videographer and journalist now based in Minnesota. Rutter, who most recently was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bloomington, did freelance work for The Criterion. She also is co-founder and producer of Hundredfold Video (formerly Thing in a Pot Productions) and specializes in Catholic/Christian media.
The Foley Award recognizes demonstrated excellence and innovation in Catholic storytelling in the preceding year, with work presented on various media platforms, including—but not limited to—video, podcasts, photo spreads, blogs or a multimedia melding of platforms.
In recognizing The Criterion staff for its dedication in serving the people of central and southern Indiana, Archbishop Charles C. Thompson said the newspaper serves as his primary tool of evangelization.
“The awards received by the staff this past year,” Archbishop Thompson noted, “are a testament to our efforts to bring the Good News of the Risen Christ to the people of central and southern Indiana.” †
