Sun journalists earn press association honors

MANCHESTER — Daily Sun journalists were recognized for excellence at the New Hampshire Press Association’s annual awards ceremony at Saint Anselm College in Manchester on June 12. 

The awards, recognizing work done by journalists across the state in 2024, saw Laconia reporters and editors take home two individual awards. Two members of staff also received recognition for their work with the Granite State News Collaborative on a youth election guide published ahead of the November General Election.

Reporter and photographer Daniel Sarch took third place in environmental reporting in Class 1 for a story titled “Citizen scientists critical in monitoring water quality,” which explored volunteer efforts of the Upper Merrimack Watershed Association in assisting state agencies to monitor water quality. 

Community editor Michael Shine took second place in a combined category for graphics, cartoons and illustrations for a visual he created titled “Housing Sisyphus,” accompanying a story highlighting the City of Laconia’s efforts to tackle the mammoth challenge presented by a housing shortage there. The illustration depicts a man pushing a large boulder over increasingly-large housing developments, referencing the ancient Greek story of Sisyphus, symbolizing an endless cycle of effort.

The Granite State News Collaborative, of which The Sun is a member, produced a series of stories, a social media campaign and other products for the “Know Your Vote Youth Voter Guide,” which was created in the run-up to the November General Election. The guide received two top finishes in Class 2 of the award contest: second place for best use of social media, and third place for political reporting. Shine and reporter Gabriel Perry contributed to the project, which sought to answer questions pertinent to younger voters and to better inform communities regarding the issues and policies at play in the election. 

The Laconia Daily Sun competes in Class 1, made up of larger news organization. Class 2 represents smaller news outlets.

Concord Monitor reporter Sruthi Gopalakrishnan received the honor of Journalist of the Year in the state of New Hampshire. 

Two New Hampshire journalists received lifetime achievement honors: Michael Cousineau of the New Hampshire Union Leader in Manchester, and Ray Duckler of the Concord Monitor. 

The Concord Monitor’s Geoff Forester won photographer of the year, with judges touting his “exceptional showing of skills in feature, news, sports,” and a nod to a photo made by Forester which depicts lightning. 

Jeremy Margolis of the Concord Monitor and Claire Sullivan of New Hampshire Bulletin were honored as the state’s "Rookies of the Year.”