Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
The Courier staff poses with their awards from the 2019 Montana Newspaper Association Convention.
The Montana Newspaper Association (MNA) held their 134th annual convention on June 7 and 8 in Big Sky, Mont. The Glasgow Courier was recognized in a variety of categories in the Better Newspaper Contest, including Best Breaking News, Best Sports Photo and Best Feature Photo, bringing home a total of 13 awards. In addition to these 13 awards, office manager Terry Trang also came home with the Dick Crockford Distinguished Service Award for her 36 years of dedication to the Courier.
The Dick Crockford Distinguished Service Award honors newspaper employees for their valuable contributions to the newspaper profession and their communities. Trang has been with the Courier since 1983, first starting out in the bindery department, then moved to the advertising layout department and then to bookkeeper/secretary. In her 36 years of service, she has retired twice but couldn't stay away, and currently wears many hats to assist in getting the paper out each and every week. "It's been quite an experience from the first days of working in the newspaper to present. There are so many technology leaps in how the news is presented and circulated," stated Trang, "My favorite aspect of this job is being involved in all aspects of this community's lives – from the birth announcement, to the graduation, engagement, wedding, another birth announcement, etc. A front row seat, documented in print."
The nomination and winning the award was a surprise for Trang as News Editor Michelle Bigelbach and Publisher A.J. Etherington nominated Trang for the award, keeping the whole process under-wraps for as long as possible. Upon finding out she was being recognized for her contribution, she teared up and said "You guys!" "I was truly surprised and honored!" stated Trang.
In the Better Newspaper Contest, the Courier won first place for Best Breaking News, written by Bigelbach, Best Sports Photo, taken by sports editor Georgie Kulczyk, and Best Feature Photo, taken by Etherington. The Courier also placed second and third in a variety of other categories. "It is a very humbling experience," stated Etherington upon finding out the Courier placed in so many categories and also won multiple places in the same category. "I'm proud of the hard work we have all put in during the past year."
Other placings included third place for Best Breaking News, article written by Etherington; third place for Best Feature Story, also written by Etherington; second and third place for Best Continuing News, on two different subject matters, written by both Bigelbach and Etherington; third place for Best News Photo, taken by Etherington; third place for Best Portrait Photo, taken by Bigelbach; and third place for Best Feature Photo, taken by Glasgow resident Brandon Bigelbach. Kulczyk swept the Best Sports Photo category, taking home all three places. "I am very honored. I am thankful my passion for photography was recognized on such a large platform," stated Kulczyk.
Rachel Sigmundstad, who has only been with the Courier for a year, won third place for Best Sponsor Page for her booster page of well wishes for the Glasgow High School Cross Country team. The page not only wished individual runners good luck on their State meet but also profiled the entire team with a team picture. "Nice to have the individual photos and the team photo," stated the MNA judges on the submission. "I have been blessed to have such a supportive staff around me to show me the ropes in advertising and design. It's really great to see that I have learned how to do this job well enough to get recognized," stated Sigmundstad.
The Glasgow Courier would like to thank the community for their support. We as a staff could not put out a paper week after week or have won these awards without the support and the stories that need to be told.
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