Standard journalists recognized at Ontario Newspaper Awards
The impact of COVID-19 on the Niagara community and a video of the pigeon horntail evolutionary adaptation earned three St. Catharines Standard journalists provincial recognition.
Reporters Karena Walter and Grant LaFleche and freelance columnist Brad Demers were named finalists at the 2021 Ontario Newspaper Awards.
Praised for helping readers understand the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on their lives, Walter and LaFleche were named runners-up in the COVID-19 writing category.
“Grant and Karena’s standing as finalists in the COVID-19 category is an indication of the excellence of the coverage our entire news team has provided during the pandemic,” said editor-inchief Angus Scott.
“Karena has always been an anchor on the staff of The Standard and the Niagara Dailies and we’re fortunate to have her. And with Grant moving on to the Hamilton Spectator, this seems a fitting way to end his 24-year career in Niagara, another of many accolades.”
Praising Walter and LaFleche’s work, judges said they “wove together many stories of the COVID-19 experience into one narrative, offering insights into how lives were affected and disrupted.
“Filled with evocative details and emotion, the three-part series is effectively executed.”
Top honour in COVID-19 writing went to Jeff Outhit, with the Waterloo Region Record, on his analysis of how social inequities fed the COVID-19 crisis. Joanna Frketich, Maria Iqbal and Steve Buist with the Hamilton Spectator were also named as runners-up.
In a statement, Walter and LaFleche said it was very important for them both, in the middle of a massive historical event, to “tell the story of our community on a personal level as it grappled with COVID-19.”
“The pandemic has been an event of great upheaval and we’re so grateful to the Niagara residents who shared their stories with us, even when those stories were difficult to tell.”
Demers was recognized as runner-up in the video production category for his video of the pigeon horntail process (alongside his Niagara Nature column).
Scott called the nomination for Demers “gratifying,” adding, “Brad’s work on the column has been outstanding this past year and he deserves the recognition.”
Judges said Demers’ capturing of the pigeon horntail process in “such exquisite detail was a delight to watch, providing a window into something unusual for the audience.”
The winner in video production was Mike Hensen, with the London Free Press.
Demers said it is an honour to be named a runner-up.
“I hope readers have enjoyed learning about the beautiful and weird creatures we have in our region, and I look forward to continuing sharing the exploration of Niagara’s natural world.”
Each year, the Ontario Newspaper Awards honours the best journalism produced by writers, photographers, videographers and editors at all newspapers in Ontario, outside Toronto.