The Monitor took home several awards at this year’s Texas Association of Managing Editors convention this weekend, highlighted by a second place award for photojournalism.
Monitor photographer Delcia Lopez took second place in photojournalism for her entries which included photos shot for a story written by staff writer Valerie Gonzalez, who also won an award, with the title “Desperate times.” The photos show the influx of undocumented children crossing into the United States.
“Excellent compassionate reporting, great use of light and tight editing,” the judge’s comments section read.
Gonzalez took home third place for Star Reporter of the Year for her work covering immigration in the Rio Grande Valley which requires a deep understanding of complex government policies, law enforcement practices and much more.
In addition, The Monitor took home third place for Star Investigative Report of the Year for “Broken borders,” a series of investigative work done by Gonzalez where she chronicled federal officials’ attempts to manage the influx of border crossings.
“As migrants surged across the U.S.-Mexico border in early 2021, reporter Valerie Gonzales doggedly showed readers how border agents and federal agencies dealt – or did not deal – with the chaos,” Retired investigations editor Sonny Albarado wrote. “Gonzales’ use of sources, documents, and even drone footage, provided ample evidence that the government’s response to immigration remains in flux and often hapless.”
Other award winners included:
>> Third place in news photography – Delcia Lopez for her work on McAllen’s 9/11 remembrance ceremony;
>> Honorable mention for Community Service, “Dark valley” – a body of work done by various Monitor staff members covering the aftermath of 2021’s Texas freeze;
>> Honorable mention for sports photography for “Perfect pioneer” – Lopez’s work in shooting the SHarland volleyball tournament;
>> Honorable Mention for photojournalism for “Path to America” – Lopez’s photo gallery titled “Patrolling the path to America” which depicts the struggles of migrants attempting to find a new life in the United States.
>> Honorable mention for designer of the year, P.J. Hernandez, for his “top-notch” work in designing the front pages of The Monitor paper.
The Brownsville Herald took home second place in deadline writing for a story titled, “‘We’re Lucky’: SUV rips into Toddle Inn during breakfast” by Ryan Henry and Laura Martinez.
“Very complete story with plenty of sources. Love seeing a complete list of diners’ names included. Quality kicker at the end,” the judges comments section read.
Brownsville Herald also took two honorable mentions for photojournalism for photos taken by Denise Cathey on Dia de los Muertos and Star Opinion Writer of the year which went to Carlos Rodriguez.
Harlingen’s Valley Morning Star took home second place for Deadline Writing for staff writer Fernando Del Valle’s work on his story titled “A Sense of Relief,” covering Harlingen residents receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
El Nuevo Heraldo took home six awards, one being Honorable Mention for Designer of the Year, Zulema Phillips, for front page designs of El Nuevo Heraldo.
A third place, Zulema Phillips, and Honorable Mention, Aurora Orozco for News, and the other three for Headline Writing, taking first, second and third place, written by Zulema Phillips in the Spanish language category.
For a full list of the winners and their entries, visit tapmecontest.org/winners/.
