The Day wins recognition in Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists contest

Tim Cotter, The Day, New London, Conn.
·2 min read

May 29—The Day was recognized for its editorials and perspective page in the annual Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists contest.

Competing in the largest circulation category, The Day swept the editorial writing category. Editorial Page Editor Paul Choiniere was first with "Don't be a jerk" and third with "COVID toll in nursing homes a scandal." Lisa McGinley was second with "The fight to restore an insulting nickname." The Day's Sunday perspective page, edited by Choiniere and designed by Scott Ritter, placed first in non-page one layout.

In total, The Day won 21 awards, which were announced this past week.

The Day's coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic also was recognized.

Dana Jensen placed first in COVID photo, and "We went out to dinner and here's what we discovered," reported by Karen Florin, Taylor Hartz, Kristina Dorsey, Julia Bergman, Ann Baldelli and Tim Cotter, was first in the Leisure category. "Confronting the coronavirus" was second in COVID series; "Alzheimer's choir goes virtual," a video by Peter Huoppi and Hartz was second; and John Ruddy's page one, "One small step for Connecticut," placed third.

Sean D. Elliot received a first-place award for a sports photo and was third in news photo. Sarah Gordon was second in news photo.

The newsroom staff was recognized for two reporting series: "Police accountability," second; and "2020 Bright Lights," third.

Erica Moser placed second in local reporting with "Facebook community forums become controversial" and third in leisure writing with "Taste of Summer in Dead of Winter."

Rick Koster took a second-place award in arts & entertainment writing for "Recent experiences have inspired North Stonington artist Alfredo Carlson in new ways," and Kristina Dorsey was third with "Up through the atmosphere: Stonington High School Drama sends students flying in 'Mary Poppins.'"

"The Storyline" podcast, with Carlos Virgen, Koster and Sten Spinella, placed third in audio storytelling. Ruddy was third in feature story with "Rumrunners and bootleggers."

Vickie Fulkerson was second in sports feature with "Where are they now? Montville girls' cross country put together a long run of dominance." Joe Turco placed second in headline writing.