Putnam wins awards from Georgia Press Association
By RAINER ARNOLD Union Sentinel Publisher

Savannah - The Union Sentinel received recognition for outstanding achievement in the journalism profession from the Georgia Press Association (GPA), the oldest and largest newspaper association in the state.

In his first year as Editor of the Union Sentinel, Jared Putnam received two awards for excellence in photojournalism. Putnam received one award for best Sports Photo [action shot] and another for best Sports Feature Photo [displaying an emotion or reaction.] Both pictures received 2nd place in their respective category and division.

The honors were awarded in the GPA's top editorial competition, the 2007 Better Newspaper Contest. This annual statewide competition recognizes the premiere work published across Georgia during the previous calendar year. The awards were presented at the 121st Georgia Press Association Annual Convention held in Savannah.

The Union Sentinel was the only publication in Union County to win awards from the Georgia Press Association this year. More than 100 newspapers [31 dailies, 74 weeklies, and 2 associates] competed in the 2007 Better Newspaper Contest, submitting a total of 3,291 entries in the various categories.

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam 2nd place: best Sports Feature Photo. Lady Panthers April Harper, Lauren Dyer, and Kaley Sullivan show their excitement after securing a trip to the State Finals.

"I'm definitely proud of these recognitions," Putnam said.

"To have some of my work judged as being among the best in the state in only my first year doing this is great. I owe a lot of thanks to the Lady Panthers softball team for having such a terrific season and providing those special photo opportunities. I should also say congratulations to Gordon Raulerson of the Blackshear Times, who won 1st place."

Putnam's winning submission for best Sports Photo featured a key Lady Panthers softball game in which Lauren Dyer tagged out a Dawson County runner, preventing a run from scoring. The judge's comments stated, "Great timing- stopped action at very moment. Technically good."

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam 2nd place: best Sports Photo. Lady Panthers Catcher Lauren Dyer tags out a Dawson County baserunner attempting to score.

The winning submission for best Sports Feature Photo showed yet another memorable moment from the Lady Panthers softball season, as April Harper, Lauren Dyer, and Kaley Sullivan walked off the field following the final game of State Sectionals, in which they earned a trip to the State Finals.

The judge commented, "This was definitely a keepsake for those three girls, or just anyone who remembers the excitement of being young and in high school. Wonderful photo of emotion."

The GPA, in order to assure fairness in judging, always allows veteran newspaper personnel from other states to judge the work of Georgia newspapers. This year the honors were selected selected by a group of veteran newspaper journalists from South Carolina.

The Union Sentinel joined the GPA last November. Among the reasons for the move, first and foremost was professionalism.

It has long been a standard for any professional group or business to join the largest and most respected professional organization in its respective field.

The organization offers a membership package that gives newspapers all across Georgia access to the vast resources of the organization, including a variety of seminars that can assist with the latest trends and technologies available.

The GPA honors deserving members for outstanding achievement in journalism through such competitions as the aforementioned Better Newspaper Contest.