Enterprise wins state competition

The Clarendon Enterprise received the top award for newspapers of its size during the Texas Press Association’s 2007 Better Newspaper Contest this past Saturday in Arlington.

The local paper claimed its second state Sweepstakes award after competing in a field of 21 other newspapers of similar circulations in Division 9.

“We’ve always said that it’s a team effort that allows us to win these awards, and this year was a great example of that,” said publisher Roger Estlack. “Each of our staff members contributed to one or more first place awards.”

The Enterprise earned first place plaques in four categories. The paper won in Advertising with work done by Julie Shields, Ashlee Estlack, and Roger Estlack. Anndria Kidd’s photos earned the first place plaque in the Feature Photo category.

Roger Estlack received first place wins with Editorials on Gov. Perry’s community college funding cuts and the need for a city administrator and with Columns on the Texas Pledge of Allegiance and his father’s words of wisdom.

“I’m very pleased by the effort put forth by our staff,” Estlack said. “We have a tradition of putting out a great newspaper with only a handful of employees. We wouldn’t have the paper we have without the hard work of the people in the office and our correspondents.”

The paper also received a second place certificate in News Writing and a fourth place certificate for Page Design.

This is the second time the Enterprise has won the top award from the state press association. The first was in 2000.

The contest was judged by members of the Wisconsin Press Association.

This year 188 newspapers submitted 1,924 entries to the TPA contest in ten divisions. The awards were announced during the 129th annual TPA Summer Convention.

Office Director Anndria Kidd attended the convention and received the awards on behalf of the Enterprise. Estlack also attended the convention but could not be at the awards brunch.

Also at this year’s convention, Roy Robinson of the Graham Leader was named president of the state association. On Monday, he selected Estlack to serve as an appointed member of the TPA Board of Directors, a position the local editor also held under the previous president.