Start of something good

Once a year, newspaper types dress up nice, gather in a hotel ballroom somewhere across the state and applaud our collective effort.

On Saturday, the Louisiana Press Association handed out Newspaper of the Year honors in eight categories at the 128th annual LPA Convention in Lafayette. By now, you’ve deduced the Tri-Parish Times is quite tickled to have been named the state’s top weekly in our division.

In all, 84 newspapers, publications and college/university student newspapers submitted 4,481 entries – stories, page designs, photos and graphics – for consideration.

Our paper was awarded our division’s sweepstakes award – the big enchilada for newshounds keeping score at home.

It’s a tremendous honor and a reminder that our craft does require a multitude of skill to do well.

It also requires a number of people.

Major kudos are extended to our news team – Mike Brossette, Sophia Ruffin, Keyon Jeff, Brad Thibodaux and contributors Howard Castay Jr., Doug Cheramie, Cade Voisin and John Price. Congratulations are also due to our layout team: Amber Chaisson and Liz Daigle.

And while it’s generally the reporters and top brass who, for better or worse, get the most attention, we’d be amiss if we didn’t include the rest of the Tri-Parish Times team in the celebration.

There are folks many readers will likely never meet in person, but who help keep this train running on time. This includes Brenda Kurtz and Jennie Childs in the office and, our sales team on the street, Ingrid Chaisson, Harold Cancienne, Debbie Hansen and Thibodaux.

Forgive us this week if we seem a bit big headed, but we promise you all we do is with you, our readers, in mind. We’re looking forward to continuing to improve our product, hone our news skills and to deliver you an informative, reliable newspaper. After all, this is just the beginning of something good.