DOVER — The Delaware State News has earned a new title: “News Organization of the Year.”

With 21 award-winning entries in the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association, the Delaware State News won the capstone honor in the small daily newspaper division.

The newspaper had seven Best of Show winners in the contest, which showcased journalism in print and online in 2021.

“Being named the News Organization of the Year, in a contest judged by our peers, is truly a high honor,” Publisher Darel La Prade said. “From working daily with our people, I know just how talented and creative they are – this award is a testament to their hard work and collaboration.”

The Delaware State News’ Best of Show winners:

•Executive Editor Andrew West won in the local column feature category for a “From the Editor” column headlined, “Names, not numbers, will tell the story of the pandemic.” The column shared the experiences of Brandy Burnham whose father Andrus J. Aiken Sr. died of COVID-19.

•Photographer Marc Clery won for sports feature photo with a shot of the Delmar High field hockey team’s state championship celebration.

•Heather Cregar and Donald “D.J.” Short won in the community service program category for a “3-11 Remembrance” that featured a star for each Delawarean who died of COVID-19 during the first full year of the pandemic.

•Ms. Cregar and Jessica Cook of our advertising and marketing teams won for best event – Dover Comic Con.

•Ms. Cregar and Angi Hicks won the self-promotion advertising category with a special page, “America Needs Journalists.”

•Mr. Short and Joy Ferrio won the large restaurant/entertainment category for a Bella Villa advertisement.

•Mr. Short also won in the online-only category with an Easterseals advertisement.

The MDDC Press Association admitted more than 1,500 entries from 48 member publications from small hometown publications to metropolitan dailies. For the contest, they are broken down into seven divisions based on daily and non-daily print publications and online only.

Judges select a “Best of Show” in each category, comparing first-place winners in each division.

This year’s contest was judged by journalists in the Missouri Press Association.

The Salisbury Independent, a Maryland sister publication of the Delaware State News, collected seven awards, including a Best of Show in the advertising campaign category. Angi Hicks and Cathy Koyanagi were honored for their Shore Federal ads.

Other Delaware State News winners were:

•First Place, Feature Story: Profile, “Eliminating barriers in a snap,” Craig Horleman;

•First Place, General News Photo, “Biden returns home,” Butch Comegys;

•First Place, General News Story, “Case raises questions about child protections,” Craig Anderson;

•First Place, Headline, “At 93, Moore giving no less,” Beth Skinner;

•Second Place, Advertising-driven Special Section-in-paper product , Bay to Beach Holiday Gift Edition, Thomas Maglio, Laura Walter, Advertising & Marketing Teams;

•Second Place, Best Photo Gallery, Presidential visits home, Marc Clery, Chuck Snyder, Butch Comegys;

•Second Place, Business Reporting, “You name it. I’ve sold it.,” Logan Anderson;

•Second Place, Community Service Program, Adopt A Pet, Angi Hicks, Bonnie Mankin;

•Second Place, Continuing Coverage, “No longer lost:’ Soldier’s remains come home,” Glenn Rolfe;

•Second Place, General News Photo, “Pediatric protection,” Carla Varisco;

•Second Place, Headline, “Let them beat cake,” Beth Skinner;

•Second Place, New Business Concept/Wild Card , Mad Play, Angi Hicks, Bonnie Mankin;

•Second Place, Online-only ad, Concord Pets, Donald “DJ” Short, Tim Gary;

•Second Place, Sports Photo (Sports Action), “It feels amazing’,” Gary Emeigh.

Other Salisbury Independent winners:

•First Place, Restaurant/Entertainment ad, Market Street Inn, Angi Hicks, Cathy Koyanagi;

•First Place, Feature Photo, “Dock holds the sky,” Carrie Samis;

•Second Place, Local Government, Pickleball battle, Greg Bassett;

•Second Place, Public Service, “Salisbury Police Evidence Room,” Greg Bassett;

•Second Place, Photo Series, “Delmar Officer’s Vigil,” Todd Dudek.