Award-winning The Carillon wins first place awards in national news competition

Every year, The Carillon wins awards provincially and nationally and this year is no different. The newspaper of choice in the Southeast has been awarded three premier awards and one second place award in their circulation category by the Canadian Community Newspaper Association.

“We have a very solid team in the newsroom and these awards showcase our commitment to community journalism in the Southeast,” said editor Greg Vandermeulen.

Winning Best Historical Story was reporter Svjetlana Mlinarevic’s article, “A St Pierre Metis soldier’s burial journey during the Second World War.” The judge called the article well researched and a good read.

“What piqued this judge’s attention was the story of (the soldier’s) burial journey in Italy and how Italians treated the deceased soldier from Canada, especially where he was laid to rest initially. Stories promoting Remembrance Day, or war stories from the Great War or Second World War, with colour always make for a good read.”

Mlinarevic and reporter Matt Frank also won Best News Story for their coverage of the Hanover School Division’s provincial advisor and the fact that there was no documentation regarding his oversight of the board of trustees.

“The effort to file for records — and the response that none exist — pushed this entry into the winners’ circle, and the top spot. That no one in power, who was either supervising the adviser or ‘benefiting’ from (his) advice, seemed to be bothered by a lack of documentation, lands like a thud. The resignation that followed? That’s the impact of this work,” stated the judge.

Winning Best Sports Photo was sports editor Cassidy Dankochik’s photo of a crushed Winnipeg Avros goalie Adrianna Almeida who was prone in her crease after giving up a double overtime goal in a deciding 2-1 game five loss during the U18 girls’ AAA provincial finals.

“The agony of defeat earned top honours thanks to a keen eye from photographer Cassidy Dankochik with The Carillon,” stated the judge.

Winning second place for Best Local Editorial was editor Greg Vandermeulen’s, “A stain on Steinbach or a cowardly minority?” regarding the cancellation of Steinbach Pride in 2025 and the issue of hateful rhetoric.

“This was a courageous and well presented editorial about an issue that had clearly caused tension in the community. Well written and thought out,” wrote the judge.

Well done newsroom staff!

Since 1946, The Carillon has been serving the Southeast with award winning journalism.