MI wins state-wide awards

| June 25, 2010 4:13 PM

The Mineral Independent was awarded for their journalistic excellence, bringing home a slew of first place awards this past weekend at the annual Montana Newspaper Association's Better Newspaper Contest in Bozeman.

The event judged the writing, layout and photography of newspapers in Montana and the Mineral Independent received five first place awards.

Nick Ianniello received first place in Best Outdoor Activity Photo for his image of Rick Chaflin pushing his tricycle through a mud puddle during the tricycle races in Superior last year. Andrew Waite won first place in Best Feature Photo, which was of Samantha Piippo receiving the nasal spray vaccine for the H1N1 flu.

Waite also took home three first in different writing categories. In Best Personality Feature Waite won for his story, The Logging Way of Life, which profiled Peter Vigue, a logger in the area.

In Best Outdoors Reporting, Waite took first place for his article, Disabled Get Chance to Fish the Clark Fork. In the article, Waite talked about how through a program 20 people living with disabilities were able to take some time and enjoy a day fishing on the Clark Fork, something they regularly don't get the chance to do.

Finally Waite brought home a first place finish in Best Sports Features Story for his article on James Wemple, a graduate of Alberton, who was on his way to the University of Montana in Missoula on a track scholarship. Waite talked about Wemple's success on and off the track and the challenges he faced.

In other awards, Summer Crosby placed second in Best Heath, Fitness and Science Reporting. Matt Unrau received a second for Best Agriculture Reporting. Waite received second for Best Educational Reporting and Best Sports Event Coverage. Ianniello grabbed a second in Best Spot News Photo as well.

The paper also received a second place mention for Best Outdoors Section or Page.