Christmas came early this year for all of us when the BEACON received the Best of Show award at the recent North American Mature Publishers Association (NAMPA) convention in San Diego, California. Every year, senior publications from across the country are independently judged on the quality of their written content, editing, design, photography, advertising and more by the prestigious Missouri School of Journalism. The best are then commended for their efforts with awards. Best of Show recognizes the publication that placed the highest in its division. 

This year, the BEACON and its staff were nominated in the following categories:

Editorial

Column Review

• Talking Digital by Adam Cochran

Personal Essay

• “Radical downsizing: How living with less can free up your life” by Sally Henry (October 2020)

• “The cruelty of quarantine: A daughter’s search for compassion in a pandemic” by Melanie Wiseman (September 2020)

Profile

• “Turning and burning: Bert Poling transforms wood into art” by Jan Weeks (May 2021)

• “Take pride in your heritage: Ginger DeCavitch engages kids on Ute Heritage Day” by Jan Weeks (April 2021)

• “Diving in: Reclaim your life and love yourself again” by Melanie Wiseman (August 2020)

Feature Writing

• “The unknown benefits of bats” by Jan Weeks (June 2021)

• “Grand Junction forgives but never forgets: Dalton Trumbo’s controversial book rattled the community” by Diana Barnett (June 2021)

• “Turning up gold in Western Colorado: Retirement is panning out well for these seniors” by Melanie Wiseman (June 2021)

• “Writing in isolation: Three local authors wrote and published books in 2020” by Terri Benson (May 2021)

• “The amazing resilience of Handy Chapel” by M. J. Melneck (February 2021)

How-To Feature

• “The art of cooking small: Tips, tricks and recipes for empty nesters” by Corey Colombin

Topical Issue

• “It’s time to take control of your health” by Melanie Wiseman (April 2021)

COVID-related 

• “The cruelty of quarantine: A daughter’s search for compassion in a pandemic” by Melanie Wiseman (September 2020)

Annual Senior Resource Guide

• The BEACON Guide, 2021

Photography & Design

Front Cover Photo

• “Embrace the empty nest” by B. Bigler (January 2021)

• “Dive into your passion” - Photo courtesy of Patty Deters (August 2020)

Feature Layout

• “The art of cooking small” by B. Bigler (January 2021)

• “Philanthropic travel in Tanzania” by B. Bigler (November 2020)

Table of Contents - Design

• BEACON Senior News, Colorado

Briefs & Shorts - Design

• Calendar & Beacon Bits

Annual Senior Resource Guide

• The BEACON Guide, 2021

Best Banner

• BEACON Senior News, Colorado

Best Overall Use of Photography

• BEACON Senior News, Colorado

Best Use of Color

• BEACON Senior News, Colorado

Overall Design

• BEACON Senior News, Colorado

Advertising

Best Single Ad (Color)

• AAA Hearing “I mustache you a question” (June 2021)

• AAA Hearing “My butt hurts” (April 2021)

Self-Promotion (in house)

• “50,000 BEACON Fans can’t be wrong”

Online

Website Self-Promotion

• BEACON Senior News, Colorado

Website General Excellence

• www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

Best of Show

BEACON Senior News, Colorado

Editorial

• Column Review: 1st Place
 Talking Digital by Adam Cochran

• Personal Essay: 2nd Place
“The cruelty of quarantine: A daughter’s search for compassion in a pandemic” by Melanie Wiseman (September 2020)

• Profile: 1st Place
“Diving in: Reclaim your life and love yourself again” by Melanie Wiseman (August 2020)

• Feature Writing: 2nd Place
“The unknown benefits of bats” by Jan Weeks (June 2021)

• Topical Issue: 1st Place
“It’s time to take control of your health” by Melanie Wiseman (April 2021)

• COVID-related: 1st Place
“The cruelty of quarantine: A daughter’s search for compassion in a pandemic” by Melanie Wiseman (September 2020)

• Annual Senior Resource Guide: 2nd Place
The BEACON Guide, 2021

Photography & Design

• Front Cover Photo: 2nd Place
“Dive into your passion” August 2020

• Table of Contents: 2nd Place

• Briefs/Shorts: 3rd Place

• Annual Senior Resource Guide: 1st Place
The BEACON Guide, 2021 

• Best Banner: 2nd Place

• Best Overall Use of Photography: 1st Place

• Best Use of Color: 2nd Place

• Overall Design: 2nd Place

Advertising

• Best Single Ad (Color): 1st Place
AAA Hearing: “My butt hurts”

• Self-Promotion (in house): 1st Place
“50,000 BEACON Fans can’t be wrong” 

Online

• Website Self-Promotion: 3rd Place

• Website General Excellence: 3rd Place
www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Putting together a BEACON isn’t easy. Luckily, we have supportive advertisers and talented staff that give it their all every single month. Many of our stories about local people and the issues they face wouldn’t have been written if it weren’t for our wonderful, local writers. 

But above all, the BEACON would not be where it is today if it weren’t for you, our readers. Thank you for reading the BEACON!