Cyndy Hardy wins state multimedia honors

The Arizona Press Club announced its 2008 awards on May 16, 2009.

Here's what the judge had to say about my 2nd place award for Best Use of the Web:

“This series of reports are very local and relevant to the daily lives of Sedona residents. The use of video and photography help create a sense place and reveal the inner workings of local government.”

Articles included:
"Fondamenta of Sedona,"
"Chapel of the Holy Cross: A Legacy Set in Stone,"
"Bob Bradshaw: A Modern Cowboy Story,"

"Accused members may strike back at accusers," about potential open meeting law violations, and
"Man’s best friend doles out smiles to traffic-jammers."

Sedona.biz publisher Carl Jackson attended the awards ceremony and had this to say:

"When we equipped Cyndy with a computer, video camera, and video editing software, she exceeded my wildest expectations with her skill and enthusiasm to soak up new media.

"Ms. Hardy not only investigates and writes articles, she also shoots her own video and edits it. We think Ms. Hardy is a “new media” reporter and an example of what all journalists will become. Hopefully this award puts to rest the ongoing debate between print and Internet journalism. It's now clear that neither the printed page nor the web page produces quality journalism.

"Only great journalists like Cyndy Hardy can do that by peeling away the layers of a story until the truth is revealed, and crafting words and phrases to make that story come to life in the reader's imagination."

Hey, Carl! Can I have that certificate? :) Read more!