HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) – The Holland Sentinel earned several Division I journalism awards from the annual Michigan Associated Press contest.
Sports Editor Dan d’Addona won first and third place for best sports column and second for best feature.
“He wins everything — it’s getting a little old, Dan!,” joked editor Sarah Leach. Turning serious, she said the award she is most proud of is an explanatory story produced by reporters Sydney Smith, Audra Gamble and Erin Dietzer, on Title IX and how it applies to schools, sexual assault reports and investigations — and how plans by new U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos could change rules set forth by the Obama and earlier administrations.
“Sometimes we feel like we’re reporting into a void and we’re not really sure if it was worth all the effort and work – did it really even matter?” Leach said. “So when you get recognized by people you respect … that really means something to us.”
Leach and Brian Vernellis placed first for digital presence.
