Prevailer earn awards at contest

Opinion pieces, news writing and special section were among the categories the Hill City Prevailer News was honored for at the most recent gathering of the South Dakota NewsMedia Association (SDNA).

The Hill City Prevailer News received six awards all told last Friday, April 26, as part of the Better News Media contest, one event at the 141st annual SDNA convention. The Prevailer was entered in the category for all weekly newspapers with a circulation under 1,300.

Among the first place awards was Down Country Roads Magazine, the bi-monthly magazine the staff of both the Custer County Chronicle and Hill City Prevailer work to produce together. The magazine is composed by former Chronicle graphic artist Deb McLain, who now lives in Sheridan, Wyo., and puts the magazine together remotely.

“Excellent layout and design. Great ads, photography and editorial content throughout,” the judges said. “This is a very good publication. Nice job!”

The entries for the 2023 SDNA Better News Media Contest were judged by members of the Wyoming Press Association.

Esther Noe picked up a first-place award in the best spot news story category for her story on a car crashing into the Restmore Inn.

“Great writing and detailed description of the crash that brings the reader right into building,” the judge wrote. “Great quotes that also give the reader a feel for what happened as well as the personality of those involved. Nice job.”

Noe also received a second place award for her “Mountain Reflections” column in the best local column category.

“What a great set of columns to connect with your community,” the judge wrote.

Leslie Silverman also placed in this category, placing third for her “Random Musings” set of columns. 

Between the Prevailer and sister paper Custer County Chronicle, Southern Hills Publishing took home four of a possible six awards for local column writing in weekly newspapers.

The Prevailer also received a third place in the best special section - issue category for its annual Progress Edition.

“Lots of great information about your community featured in this special section. You can tell the staff worked very hard on this piece,” the judge wrote. Design could have been cleaned up in some areas, but overall a great entry!”

Finally, the Prevailer received a third place award among all weeklys for best publication website for myblackhillscountry.com.

“Clean, organized. I like how you incorporated the advertising without it impacting the editorial,” the judge wrote. “I like the boxes with lists on the right of other stories.”

A complete list of contest results is available at sdna.com.