Pathfinder recognized in 2019 Better Newspaper Association contest

BIG SKY, MONT. – The Seeley Swan Pathfinder won 10 awards in the 2019 Better Newspaper Awards Division at the 134th Annual Convention of the Montana Newspaper Association, June 8. Seven of the awards including articles, photography and advertising were first place finishers.

The Pathfinder's first place awards included:

Best Continuing News Coverage: The continuous coverage of Addy 'Boo' and the Trevino family's fight with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) by Andi Bourne spanned from July 2017 through January 2019. The judges commented that the stories of Addy's illness and the communities support of the Trevino family were sad and heartwarming but it was the inclusion of the information about DIPG and the research that made the coverage stand out.

Best Sports Feature Story: The story about local boxer Michael Whitman entitled "Fighting for Respect" by Andi Bourne. The judges appreciated the in-depth look at what drove Whitman in the ring.

Best Column Writing: Cowgirl Ramblings "Strong enough to bend" by Heather Richards. The judges said, "The author takes us on a heartbreaking ride through the devastation left behind after a fire. Descriptive and moving, this is one of the best pieces I read in the contest. Best of luck to you, and happy trails!"

Best Feature Photo: Nathan Bourne's photo of Seeley Lake Fire Department Intern Fire Chief Michael Greer kicking off the Seeley Lake Chamber Chill Plunge into Seeley Lake in February 2018. Volunteers Kody Kelley and Kyle Zumwalt cheered him on. The judges said, "This picture is worth a thousand words."

Best Portrait Photo: Andi Bourne captured the exchange between M&M the donkey, his handler Susie Gehring of Lincoln and a visitor at Ovando's Old West Christmas Fest last November. The judges said, "What a wonderful, engaging moment in time captured so well. It tells a story on its own and is sure to draw a lot of eyes and smiles."

Best use of local photography in an ad: "Fun in the Sun" thank you ad for supporting the Trevino family created by Andi Bourne

Best website: seeleylake.com maintained by Andi and Nathan Bourne

The Pathfinder's second place awards included:

Best Sports Feature Story: Andi and Nathan Bourne wrote about Rob Henrekin's love of soaring over the area he calls home in his powered parachute. The judges appreciated that "Flight by the seat of his pants" was packed with details.

Best Editorial: Pathfinder editors Nathan and Andi Bourne wrote a piece for Sunshine Week headlined "1,000 people in our seat." The judges said the editorial did a very good job of showing the importance of having newspaper reporting being at public meetings for the benefit of the public, and explained, in simple terms, the nuts and bolts of what a reporter does.

The Pathfinder's third place award:

Best Sports and Outdoors Column Writing: Columnist Dale Terrillion was recognized for his story about "The elusive Bigfoot." The judges said, "If originality and imagination are part of the category definition, then this fun column could not be left out."

Volunteers with the Michigan Press Association judged this year's contest. There were 2,627 entries across five divisions and 36 categories. Division 1, circulation of 1,250 or less that the Pathfinder entered, included 569 entries. The full presentation of all the awards can be found online at https://awards.mtnewspapers.com/awards2019/presentation.php

The mission of the Montana Newspaper Association is to advance and sustain the news publishing industry in Montana. The association has 84 professional member newspapers and was established in 1885.