State association names 'Press' best in class

The New York Press Association (NYPA) has named The Riverdale Press the best large-circulation community newspaper in the state.

The Press won the Past Presidents’ Award for General Excellence in NYPA’s 2015 Better Newspaper Contest on Saturday.

“A very nice newspaper which has a very strong front page and nice sections,” judges said of The Press. “There are lots of interesting stories in this paper.”

Judges reviewed The Press’ work from 2014. Hot topics included community opposition to Montefiore Medical Center’s plans here, former Councilman Oliver Koppell’s Democratic primary challenge to state Sen. Jeff Klein, the closure of John F. Kennedy High School and a range of crimes. Throughout the year, The Press also put a spotlight on local success stories and artists, including a series on 10 winners of a prestigious award from the Bronx Council on the Arts.

NYPA said 177 newspapers throughout the state participated in the Better Newspaper Competition, with Past Presidents’ Awards going to three different papers based on circulation size. The News-Review in Riverhead won the award in the smallest circulation group and The Southampton Press-Eastern Edition won the award in the medium-size group.

Press reporter Maya Rajamani won a first place award for in-depth reporting for an August article exploring segregation in public schools.

“This piece is a strong look at segregation and needs to be shared,” judges said of the story, “Students struggle with ongoing segregation.” “The writer used good research on violence and the vicious cycle all relating to segregation intermingled with Kathy’s story.”

The Press earned awards for photographic excellence, best obituaries and best house advertisements as well.

“I am immensely proud of the work behind these awards,” editor Shant Shahrigian said. “The staff will keep striving to serve the community.”

NYPA also smiled on a future intern at The Press. Daniel Ynfante, a sophomore at Manhattan College, won a competition for a $2,500 stipend from NYPA to intern with The Press this summer. He and a classmate will be the second group of interns in a row from Manhattan College to intern with the newspaper. Mr. Ynfante is a Bronx native who currently writes from Manhattan College’s student paper, The Quadrangle.