Taylor Buley, Editor-in-Chief Emma Johnson, Assistant Editor Crystal Apilado, cartoonist Daniel Williams and former reporter Matthew Keys were named as award recipients on Saturday evening. “I am proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish as a relatively new team in a short amount of time,” Johnson said in a statement. “We made a commitment to deliver informative and engaging content in print and online, and we will continue to do so.” In addition to the seven awards, the Express was honored as a finalist in the categories of coverage of local government and homepage layout and design. Apilado, who also serves as the newspaper’s community engagement editor and education reporter, said the awards showed Winters wasn’t too small to be recognized for the big efforts of its residents and businesses. “Growing up in a small town, you sometimes get the impression that you won’t get to do big things,” Apilado said. “This recognition is proof that not only can Winters students make a big impact, but a Winters business can make big ripples past its city limits.” Out of more than 3,100 entries received from newspapers throughout the state for this year’s awards ceremony, the Express was honored in the following categories:
- General Excellence: 1st Place for www.wintersexpress.com
- Columns: 1st Place for Humor isn’t an excuse for hate & We’re not witches, we’re just angry
- Editorial Cartoon: 1st Place for Fire evacuation
- Breaking News: 2nd Place for 2018 Election Results page
- Investigative Reporting: 3rd Place for The murky future of Valley Clean Energy
- Feature Story: 3rd Place for There’s (almost) a new sheriff in town
- Home Page Layout & Design: 3rd Place for The Winters Express
- Enterprise News Story or Series: Finalist for The mystery of Edith Irene Wolfskill
- Coverage of Local Government: Finalist for 2018 Express Voter’s Guide
