AIM Media Texas received several awards during this year’s Texas Association of Managing Editors convention this weekend, including second place for newsroom of the year.
“We’re thrilled to have secured several coveted awards and thank the judges and TME for their work highlighting all journalists. This can often feel like a thankless profession, so anytime our work is recognized it means something to us,” said Michael Rodriguez, deputy editor for The Monitor, The Brownsville Herald and Valley Morning Star.
“I also hope the people of the Rio Grande Valley see this as an opportunity for them to rejoice as well, because this is recognition for work that’s dedicated to informing, educating and empowering all our communities.”
The Monitor took second place for Newsroom of the Year, while various reporters, editors and photojournalists received awards for their respective categories.
Former Brownsville Herald Editor Ryan Henry and The Monitor’s Digital Content Manager Emily D’Gyves took first place in Online Package of the Year for their collaborative efforts on Melissa Lucio securing a stay of execution just two days before she was scheduled to be put to death.
D’Gyves also took second place, behind former Monitor investigative reporter Valerie Gonzalez, under the infographics category. Gonzalez’s voter turnout interactive graphics for the story she wrote titled “Calculated move: Texas Republicans drew District 15 to fit their needs” received first place.
“This set of graphics were informative, simple in what they were trying to get across and a perfect compliment to the stories,” the judge’s comment for Gonzalez’s placement stated. “The interactivity added to the ease of use and information and didn’t feel like it was added on just because interactivity is ‘cool.’ Nicely done!”
Behind Gonzalez was D’Gyves’ “Biden and the Border Wall” interactive timeline for Monitor Metro Editor Mark Reagan’s story titled “CBP proposal would nearly wall off entire Rio Grande Valley”. The timeline, which focused on the Biden administration’s representations regarding border wall construction, received second place.
Gonzalez also took third place for Star Reporter of the Year for working tirelessly all year working sources, visiting Reynosa and Matamoros, talking to local officials and nonprofits to be on top of what would happen with the Trump-era pandemic policy known as Title 42 and what major impacts it would have within our community.
Brownsville Herald Opinion Editor Carlos Rodriguez took first place and received The Green Award for Star Opinion Writer of the Year for his editorials on issues that included immigration and border issues, the Valley’s infrastructure needs and how misinformation affects residents’ daily lives.
“In an era of hyper-political, division, and miss information, the responsibility of analyzing complex issues, for the public has never been greater,” the judge’s comment for Rodriguez’s placement stated. “The Brownsville Herald responded with a series of editorials that deconstructed our most pressing issues with thoughtful, well-written, and well-researched pieces that peeled back the layers of complexity on a broad range of issues.
“The Herald’s editorials were written simply and elegantly. In the sometimes bewildering chaos that is a hallmark of our Times, the Herald provided its readers with clearheaded, explanatory and opinion journalism that served its Rio Grande Valley readership extraordinarily well.”
Additionally, Rodriguez also took third place for Editorial Writing for his editorials.
Lastly, photojournalists from The Monitor and the Brownsville Herald also received awards.
Monitor photojournalist Joel Martinez took first place for Photojournalism for his photography of the overcrowding problem at the Hidalgo County jail. The photos were for a three–part series written by Reagan.
“The photography for the paper’s crowded jail series is very good. Going into a jail is tough and to be given, what we assumed, is tight restrictions on how to photograph,” the judge’s comment for Martinez’s placement stated. “The photographer nailed it.”
In the same category, Brownsville Herald photojournalist Denise Cathey received an honorable mention for the photo galleries “‘White gold’: Growers carry on Valley’s sugar tradition”, “Brownsville dancers work to blaze trail to national contest in Utah” and “2022 Los Fresnos Rodeo”
Cathey also took second place for Feature Photography for her photography of the 2022 Los Fresnos Rodeo, Harlingen CISD’s “The Nutcracker” rehearsal, the 6th Annual Texas Best Conjunto showdown and tissue donation.
Monitor photojournalist Delcia Lopez followed behind, taking third place for her photography covering the Texas Citrus Fiesta’s 90th anniversary, El Grito Barber Derby and the McAllen Performing Arts Center’s “The Nutcracker” performance.
“Much is evolving in our industry, but our commitment to covering the Valley remains unmoved thanks to the efforts of AIM Media Texas and our publisher, Stephan Wingert, investing in local journalism,” Rodriguez said.
To see the full list of winners, visit http://www.txapme.com/
