True Dakotan won seven awards, including five for first place, in the South Dakota NewsMedia Association’s annual Better NewsMedia Contest.
The association consists of more than 100 members, including newspapers and digital news outlets. Awards for work published in 2024 were announced Friday during the association’s 142nd annual convention in Aberdeen.
True Dakotan competes in Division 1, for media outlets in cities with a population less than 3,000. Members of the Louisiana Press Association judged the contest entries.
True Dakotan Awards
• 1st place, Best Spot News Photo: Ribfest Rocks Despite Roasting Temps. Judges comments: “The series encapsulated the festive atmosphere of the Ribfest and the reader’s eye is immediately drawn to the young girl biting into a rib. The photographer captured her delight as she experienced the taste.”
• 1st place, Best Two-Column Ad: Sons of American Legion Poker Run
• 1st place, Best Local Government Story: Proposed School Calendar Prompts Comments During BOE Meeting Public Forum. Judges comments: “Story’s focus on residents and their concerns, including good quotes from many of them, made this No. 1. An important story for many in the community.”
• 1st place, Best Use of Local Photography: Kyle Evans Western Heritage Center Second Call for Branding
• 1st place, Best Use of Social Media: True Dakotan Facebook and Instagram pages.
Judges comments: “Frequent posts are engaging and have strong interactions from followers - both FB and IG. Very few posts, if any, have no engagement. Your followers clearly appreciate your commitment to keep them informed!”
• 2nd place, Best Portrait Photo: Alicia Roesler, Teacher of the Year. Judges Comments: “Good, clean photo. I like the placement of the subject in the left bottom corner - making the scene behind her tell part of the story.”
• 3rd place, Best Special Publication: Jerauld County Outdoors. Judges comments: “Very attractive design. Nice ratio of content to advertising.”
“The SDNA Better NewsMedia Contest serves as the industry standard when it comes to recognizing top-notch journalism, photography, design and advertising in the state,” said True Dakotan Editor/Publisher Kristi Hine. “Our commitment to providing True Dakotan readers and advertisers with a high-quality, community print and e-edition every week remains unwavering. We are honored to bring these awards back to Jerauld County.”