WCR news editor honoured for ‘entertaining profile of Fr. Troy'

Lasha Morningstar

Lasha Morningstar, the WCR's news editor, has been honoured by the Canadian Church Press for her profile of Spiritan Father Michael Troy.

Morningstar's article, "Fr. Michael Troy turns 90," in the Oct. 1 WCR earned the CCP's award for the best biographical profile in a Canadian Christian newspaper in 2007.

It was one of seven awards the WCR picked up at the annual CCP awards banquet in Cambridge, Ont., May 2. The CCP is Canada's national association of Christian publications and has nearly 70 magazines and newspapers as members.

The judge for that category, Joe Matyas, a long-time journalist in London, Ont., said of Morningstar's article: "This was an entertaining story, fun to read from beginning to end. The profile gave the reader a feel for Father Troy's personality, not just details about him."

Editor Glen Argan's layout of the profile of Father Troy earned him a second prize in the feature layout and design category.

The judge Bob Cox, editor of the Winnipeg Free Press, said of the layout: "There is lots to look at, allowing a reader to glance around, take in the scope of the feature and then begin reading."

The WCR also won a second prize for general excellence among regional newspapers. First prize went to the B.C. Christian News.

That category was judged by Toronto Star columnist Carol Goar. Goar said the WCR is marked by "good columns, lively local coverage, thoughtful editorials."

The WCR has won either first or second place in the general excellence category for regional Christian newspapers 10 out of the last 11 years.

Other general excellence award winners this year were The Catholic Register (national newspapers), Geez (non-denominational/denominational magazines) and Mandate (specialized magazines).

The WCR's coverage of the installation of Archbishop Richard Smith last May received a second prize for in-depth treatment of a news event. The newspaper's editorial team - Ramon Gonzalez, Bill Glen, Lasha Morningstar and Glen Argan - all wrote articles as part of that coverage.

The judge in that category, Richard Landau, a senior executive producer at CTS TV, described the WCR's supplement on Archbishop Smith as "a thorough, in-depth introduction to Edmonton's new archbishop.

"The writers did a good job of providing a three-dimensional, warm and personal introduction without slipping into adulation."

Argan also received a third-place award for his editorial, "Earth's resources are for whole human race."

The judge in the editorial category was Rolf Pedersen, a third order Anglo-Lutheran Franciscan who has served as editorial page editor for The Guelph Mercury and The Brandon Sun.

Pedersen said the editorial "boldly and successfully puts the issue of Alberta oil royalties into a global and spiritual context. It also suggests that a more measured pace in the exploitation of petroleum resources would reduce pressure on housing, labour and the environment."

The WCR won two other awards: a second place for the layout and design of an entire edition (Sept. 24 edition) and a third place for the design of a front page (July 2 issue).

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