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Daily American Republic receives honors
The Daily American Republic was recognized with four awards Saturday at the annual Missouri Press Association convention.
Assistant Editor Samantha Tucker was presented with the 2023 William E. James Outstanding Young Journalist Award.
In the Better Newspaper Contest, Editor Donna Farley received first place in Best Page Design and third place for Best Health Story. DAR staff also received a third-place honor for Best News of Feature Special Section.
The awards were presented at the association’s annual convention in St. Louis.
The Outstanding Young Journalist Award recognizes reporters who have demonstrated excellence in the field of journalism and maintained the quality, ethics and standards of The Journalist’s Creed, written by Walter Williams, founding dean of the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
Tucker was one of four recognized with this award, which started 15 years ago.
“As we see a fundamental shift in how our profession operates, Missouri Press believes it is critical to recognize and celebrate young talent at every opportunity,’ Beth Durreman of MPA, said earlier this year in announcing those to be recognized.
Believing in the mission of community journalism to inform and support a newspaper’s readership, Tucker has proven time and again through her coverage that local reporting makes a difference in people’s lives. Her dedication to entertain and educate readers has taken her from paginator and reporter at her hometown newspaper to assistant editor of the Daily American Republic in Poplar Bluff.
Tucker joined the five-day-a-week DAR in September 2021 as a reporter, a stark contrast to the weekly Paris Prairie Press in eastern Illinois.
“She has taken on every task with both enthusiasm and skill,” wrote Farley in Tucker’s nomination letter.“Samantha brings the same level of dedication to every story, whether it’s trial coverage of a former county coroner accused of business fraud or a photojournalism assignment to cover an upcoming community play.”
Tucker took on newsroom leadership duties in 2022, working to help the newspaper develop new strategies for engaging the community and helping co-workers learn new tasks.
Farley won first place in Best Page Design for Butler County Remembers, a three-page special layout in the April 30, 2022, edition recognizing the 1927 tornado ahead of the dedication of a memorial in Downtown Poplar Bluff.
“I like what you did with this visually,” the judges commented. “Your photos are great; I love that you merged the historical photos with the new. Layout is appealing. Great visual interest.”
The News Tribune captured both second and third places in this category.
Farley’s “You are not alone,” piece took third place in Best Health Story, with the Missouri Independent claiming both first and second places in this category.
The DAR article on Mental Health Awareness Month was part of a series of free-access stories run by the publication in May 2022.
Farley’s article included information from providers regarding help in the area for those struggling with mental wellness, as well as information for friends and family on how to discuss the issue and resources. It also discussed the need to remove the stigma surrounding conversations about mental wellness.
“Great use of your platform for the good of your community,” judges wrote about the entry. “I’m sure lives were saved. Amazing work.”
The 2022 Difference Makers edition was recognized with a third-place win in Best News or Feature Special Section, with the Southeast Missourian securing first place in this category and the Joplin Globe second place.
This project included articles from Barbara Ann Horton, Tucker, Misty DeJournett, Farley, Mike Buhler and Debra Tune.
The Difference Makers project has previously placed in this category.
It annually recognizes volunteers who have been nominated by the area community for the good works they do in this region.
