Mistress of Ceremonies Teresa Rodriguez Co-Host Aqui y Ahora, Univision

Honorary Gala Chair Geraldo Rivera Senior Correspondent Fox News

Award Recipients

ñ AWARD WINNERS

The ñ Awards honor journalists for their professional achievements and their leadership in bringing greater awareness to issues affecting the Latino community.

Leadership Award – Paul Heebink – General Manager – KYMA-TV – Yuma, Arizona

Through his leadership, Paul Heebink has ensured that his television station in Yuma, AZ reflects the community it serves, both through news coverage and the diversity of its staff. Heebink has hired a Hispanic news director, people of color make up 50% of his staff, and the station provides Spanish-language viewers with up-to-date news and information in Spanish. Heebink has provided the industry with a model that should be emulated throughout the country, especially in communities with a great concentration of residents of color.

Broadcast Journalist of the Year – Vince Gonzales – Correspondent – CBS News – Los Angeles, California

Vince Gonzales’ portfolio of work is one of the most impressive in the broadcast industry. In 2004, his exposé of the Enron electricity scandal demonstrated his skill as an investigative journalist. Gonzales uncovered proof that Enron employees were stealing money from consumers during the West Coast energy crisis. His journalistic work led to one of the biggest business stories in US history and the eventual fall of Enron.

Frank del Olmo Print Journalist of the Year – Maria Luisa Arredondo – Latin American Editor – La Opinión – Los Angeles, California

Maria Luisa Arredondo was selected for her outstanding coverage of Latino issues both in the United States and in Latin America. Her retrospective of the Mendez vs. Westminster case thoughtfully explained the social struggles of the Latino community in Orange County, California. Her examination of the ongoing struggle of Latinos to rectify injustices in the education system was not only relevant, but inspired substantive debate.

Frank del Olmo was an associate editor and columnist at the Los Angeles Times, one of the founders of the California Chicano News Media Association and member of NAHJ's Hall of Fame. Del Olmo passed away in February 2004. NAHJ offers this award in his name as a tribute to his outstanding career and his contributions to Latinos and the news industry.

Emerging Journalist of the Year Award – Juliana Barbassa – Reporter – Associated Press – Fresno, California

Juliana Barbassa has proven to be an accomplished journalist, despite her young career. From covering farm worker stories to breaking news in California’s central valley, this Fresno-based journalist has provided fresh perspectives on Hispanics and health care, illegal immigrants and drivers licenses, and the consequences of pesticide use for farm workers. She has already set a high standard for herself and the public will be the benefactor of this young journalist’s work and career.

JOURNALISM AWARD WINNERS

The NAHJ Journalism Awards honor Latino journalists for excellence in their specialized fields of work or any journalist for their outstanding coverage of the Latino community.

Print – Commentary
Latina magazine – “What’s wrong with this picture?” This commentary strongly questions the stereotypical portrayal of Latin women in Spanish-language programming. The commentary emphasizes the need to examine our own coverage before we criticize the mainstream media.

Print – Breaking News
Jeorge Zarazua, San Antonio Express-News – “Piedras Negras Flooding”

Print – Investigative News
Manny Garcia and Jason Grotto, The Miami Herald - "Justice Withheld" this story examined the social and racial injustices associated with Florida legislators passing a law that allows judges to block the convictions of felony offenders, sparing them a life of potential economic hardship and the scorn associated with being convicted felons.

Print – Feature
Beatriz Terrazas, The Dallas Morning News - "Spitfires"

Print – Design
Elio Leturia, Detroit Free Press - “6th Man Mojo Guide” This layout featured a how-to guide on being the ultimate Detroit Pistons fan.

Television – Feature
Julio Cesar Ortiz, Vicente Cano, Jose Luis Palomino, KTVW-TV, Univisión, Phoenix - “Verano de Lagrimas". This story described the tragic and unsolved border murder of a family of eight.

Television – Documentary
Maria Hinojosa, Kimberly Arp Babbit, Blake Luce, CNN, CNN Presents - “Immigrant Nation, Divided Country”

Television – Investigative News
Cristina Londoño, Maday Rodriguez, Carlos Calvo, Caridad Rubido, Tony Somoza, Peter Lopez, Telemundo/NBC, Sin Fronteras - "Violencia en Puerto Rico”

Television – Breaking News
Connie Magaña, Gabriel Huerta, Rodolfo Hernandez, Griselda Gutierrez, Manuel Cisco, KVEA-TV Telemundo –“Mexican Consulate Shooting”

Radio – Reporting
Maria Martin, Gracias Vida Productions, Austin, TX - “Despues de las guerras: Central America after the wars”

Photo - News
Kelly Presnell, The Arizona Daily Star – “Heat Death”

Photo – Story
Peggy Peattie, The San-Diego Union Tribune - “Rugged Routes, Deadly Risks”

Online
Sergio Machado, AOL Latino, “De la Hoya vs. Hopkins”

Guillermo Martínez-Márquez Award for Latin American Reporting
Yvette Cabrera and Minerva Canto, Columnists, The Orange County Register –“The Women of Juárez”

Gala Sponsors

NAHJ thanks the following companies for supporting this year's Noche de Triunfos Journalism Awards Gala. ¡Muchas gracias!

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Official Airline of NAHJ Special Events

Silver Sponsors

     AOL Latino
     Fox News Channel
     General Motors
     Hearst Newspapers
     NBC/Telemundo

Bronze Sponsors

     AARP Segunda Juventud
     CNN
     Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
     Heineken USA
     Prudential Financial
     Sunbelt Communications
     The Coca-Cola Company
     The New York Times Company
     The San Diego Union-Tribune
     Univision Communications, Inc.

Honorary Gala Committee

Gloria Campos Brown News Anchor WFAA-TV Dallas Michael Phillips Editorial Development Director E.W. Scripps Company - Newspaper Division P. Anthony Ridder Chairman & CEO Knight Ridder Mae Cheng Assitant City Editor Newsday Andrew Heyward President CBS News Antonio Mora Anchor WBBM-TV Chicago Elizabeth Vargas Anchor/Correspondent ABC News Tom Rosenstiel Director Project for Excellence in Journalism Natalie Morales Anchor and Correspondent MSNBC

Soledad O'Brien Co-Anchor CNN's American Morning Walt Swanston Director of Diversity Management National Public Radio Maria Elena Salinas Anchor/Columnist Univision Cristina Saralegui President Cristian Saralegui Enterprises Digby Solomon Publisher & CEO Hoy Newspapers Arthur O. Sulzberger, Jr. Publisher The New York Times David Westin President ABC News Ray Suarez Senior Correspondent The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer Ernest R. Sotomayor Director of Career Services Columbia University, Graduate School of Journalism