Pioneer receives 26 awards at Minnesota Newspaper Association convention

Feb. 6—BROOKLYN PARK — The Bemidji Pioneer won a record 26 awards during the Minnesota Newspaper Association's 157th annual convention held Thursday, Feb. 1, in Brooklyn Park.

Judges in the MNA's Better Newspaper Contest chose the Pioneer as the first-place winner in general excellence, sports reporting, advertising excellence and typography and design among multi-day papers up to 5,000 circulation.

The Pioneer also won second place for use of photography as a whole, along with third-place finishes in the editorial page and classified advertising categories.

The 2023 annual report

"If These Walls Could Talk"

also snagged a third-place special section win with the judge commenting, "Great photos and research that captures the area and its history. I was intrigued by the title, even more so when I saw how the theme was used. Kudos."

The Pioneer's inBemidji Magazine also received positive feedback on its

Spring 2023 issue,

which placed first in best magazine design.

Several Pioneer reporters walked away in the top spots for their reporting and photography work as well.

Editor and photographer Annalise Braught won first place for her feature photo of two girls participating in a potato dance during

the 18th Annual Niimi'idiwin in Bemidji.

"Amazing! This photo brings so much joy. It is so many things. This photographer took a really great situation and made it even better, enabling the viewer to feel like they are part of the moment," the judge commented. "With the close proximity to the kids and getting down on their level, the viewer is able to really experience their body language and facial expressions. Easy choice for first place."

She also snagged a first-place win in the portrait and personality category for another photo from the powwow with the judges commenting, "Stunning colors in this photo make it a winner. The expression on the child's face is somber and leaves the reader curious."

Braught also received third place in the feature photo category for a photo of a student participating in

Northern Elementary's annual Northern Ninja Run.

"This is an awesome energy-filled photo from a school activity," the judge said. "The photographer almost feels close enough that there could easily be a collision with the kid, which makes the already great peak action even more powerful."

Multimedia editor Madelyn Haasken came in first for her news photo from the

seventh annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women's walk

with the judge commenting, "Powerful framing. Excellent eye. Great job all around."

She also placed second in the portrait and personality category for her photo of a young

coloring contest winner spending a day at the Bemidji Fire Department.

"You can never go wrong with a photo of a happy kid, and this one is fantastic!" the judge said. "The sharp focus on the girl's face brings her to the front while the lineup of kids in the back watch and wait for their turns."

Haasken also got second place for her sports photo of

forward Eric Martin during a Bemidji State men's hockey game,

with the judge commenting "The flying ice crystals with low depth of field elevates this entry to second."

Multimedia reporter Maggi Fellerman came in second in the feature photo category for her photo of

Leech Lake Tribal College students gathering wild rice.

"This is a really lovely image. It's an example of a quiet moment that speaks volumes in the way it was documented," the judges said. "The layers of stems in the foreground create depth and add more interest. It is a clean frame and gets straight to the point. Both subjects have calm, pleasant expressions and the image gives off an overall peaceful feeling."

Former Pioneer publisher now reporter Dennis Doeden brought home three awards for his writing work. His story on

teachers-turned-edutainers Mike and Maggie

came in first in the arts and entertainment category.

He also came in second for his business story on an

ambitious entrepreneur's latest venture into starting a mushroom farm,

and second place on his human interest story about Bemidji's

Peter Nordquist reflecting on his journey helping Ukrainians

in need of limbs.

"A touching and impactful article that brings the war in Ukraine 'home' by sharing the experiences of a young victim and the humanitarian looking to help those in need," the judge said. "The photos and narrative help show how one person can make a difference."

Reporter Nicole Ronchetti came in first for her local breaking news story on how residents in Bemidji's

Red Pine apartments were left reeling

after receiving a six-day notice to vacate.

"Even though the sources are understandably anonymous, there is a good use of quotes throughout this story, showing the anxiety of uprooted apartment residents," the judge commented. "An overall good job."

She also came in second for her hard news coverage of the

precarious conditions at the Ridgeway Court apartments in Bemidji,

and her human interest profile on

longtime pastor Bob Kelly retiring from Peoples Church

after decades of service.

"This is a heartwarming story on a pastor who has made a huge impact on his community," the judge added. "That impact will be missed."

In the sports feature category, reporter Christian Babcock placed first for his story about

Bemidji State goalies expressing their creativity and heritage

through helmet design, with the judges commenting, "A fresh feature on a cool topic. Concise, catchy lede, good use of transitions and excellent use of quotes to move the story."

He also snagged second place for his story about

Bryce Duffy returning to the sidelines as a BSU coach

after a long rehab journey.

Former Pioneer sports editor Micah Friez came in first for his sports story on

Cass Lake's Taryn Frazer being named Pioneer Sportsperson of the Year.

"Everyone loves a good underdog story and stories of people overcoming adversity, and this story had that," the judge said. "I enjoy the writer's style and was interested from beginning to end. Weaving her basketball progress and triumphs together with her personal triumphs made for a great read. Well done."

He also came in second for his story on

Bemidji's 1920 football team,

the first undisputed state champ in Minnesota history. "This is not your run-of-the-mill sports story. It was a great idea for a story, and imagine it took quite a bit of research," the judge added. "This story shows you need only good writing and a compelling subject to have a good story. Not a single quote from a human to be found. Fun read."

Northern Lakes Regional publisher Pete Mohs applauded the Pioneer for all the hard work everyone put in this past year that led to the staff bringing home a record number of awards.

"Congratulations to the Pioneer team for earning 26 awards, including winning the coveted general excellence recognition," Mohs added. "The Pioneer staff earned first place in a variety of categories, including sweeping all three awards in feature photo. This shows the quality of work being done every day to produce admirable print and digital products that our readers can appreciate and enjoy."