SAN DIEGO — The Southern Cross won two first-place awards and other honors at the San Diego Press Club’s 50th annual Excellence in Journalism Awards.
Assistant Editor Denis Grasska won first place for his story “Pope Elevates San Diego Bishop to Cardinal.”
Ricardo Márquez, the former associate director of the diocesan Office for Family Life and Spirituality, won first place for his columns, which appear monthly in the newspaper.
Three freelance photographers received recognition for their work for The Southern Cross. Andy Hayt won second place for his portrait of SDSU Aztecs forward Aguek “A.G.” Arop, as did David Maung, for a feature photo from the Eritrean Catholic community’s Christmas Mass. John Gastaldo won third place for his portrait of Sarah Keller, who opted to place her baby for adoption.
Father Chuck Fuld, editor emeritus of The Southern Cross, received honorable mention for a perspectives piece titled “My ‘Resurrection’ Began with a Loss.”
The San Diego Press Club has nearly 400 members in the news communications field. The club presented the awards on Oct. 3 during a banquet in Balboa Park.
