Splash honored for community service From Staff Reports
The Liberty Lake Splash was recognized for its efforts toward community outreach at the annual Better Newspaper Contest of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Friday in Yakima.
In an open contest among all of WNPA's 130 member newspapers, The Splash received both first and third place in the category of "community service" during a special luncheon presentation. The awards honored The Splash's "12 Dollars of Christmas" drive for Blessings Under the Bridge last December and its 2011 support and fundraising for the community's inaugural Relay for Life, respectively.
In presenting the honors, WNPA Executive Director Bill Will said he couldn't remember a time when one newspaper had received two of the three places given in the annual community service contest.
"These were incredibly special honors as I know how much they reflect the heart of our team," Splash Publisher Josh Johnson said. "I always hoped that one day we could place in this category because it so exemplifies what a community newspaper should be about."
The honors were among nine total awards The Splash received at the association's 125th annual convention.
Kelly Moore, a former reporter for The Splash, received four awards, including first place for best sports feature on a Pop Warner football team. She also received two second place awards (best business story and personality profile) and one third place (best general feature story).
Graphics Editor Sarah Burk received three awards: first place for the best use of clip art in an ad and two third place honors (best single ad promoting sale or event and most original idea).
Also during the convention, Johnson was voted to a full term as a member of the WNPA Board of Trustees. He was originally appointed to the position in May by WNPA Board President Jana Stoner, publisher of the Northern Kittitas County Tribune in Cle Elum.
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