Chelsea Purgahn (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

CORPUS CHRISTI — The Tyler Morning Telegraph received 10 awards Saturday during the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors annual convention.

This included awards for writing, photography and design.

Former sports reporter Chris Parry won a first place award for a sports feature about the journey of Sabine High School track star Sydney Gerbine, who almost died after multiple blood clots formed in both her lungs. The article detailed how she overcame the odds and returned to track competitions fewer than six months later.

“Just solid storytelling all the way around,” the judge’s comments read. “Great lead that draws you in immediately. Great quotes and anecdotes that really help set this story apart. Really effective turns of phrase.”

Jacque Hilburn-Simmons took home second place for Star Reporter of the Year. Her 2017 work included a five-part series on Alzheimer’s disease and an in-depth story about an adult woman with special needs who has lived most of her life at the Lufkin State Supported Living Center, a facility Texas lawmakers were evaluating for possible closure.

The Tyler Paper staff took home a third place win for Star Breaking News Report of the year for coverage of tornadoes that struck the Canton area.

“What made this story particularly memorable was the large number of voices of ordinary people that reporters … brought into the story,” the judge wrote. “Also a good job for print readers of putting all the closing, shelter, etc. information in one clearly scannable place.”

Multimedia Journalist Chelsea Purgahn received honorable mention for Star Photojournalist of the Year for a portfolio that included images of a DACA vigil in downtown Tyler, the Texas Rose Festival and the aftermath of devastating tornadoes.

“Great portraits and features. Solid work,” the judge wrote.

Chief photographer Sarah Miller won second place in photojournalism for her coverage of an adult woman with special needs who has lived most of her life at the Lufkin State Supported Living Center, a facility Texas lawmakers were evaluating for possible closure.

“…It is a story that humanizes and personalizes a political story,” the judge’s comments read.

Former senior editor Roy Maynard received third place in business reporting for his piece about “Fueling the Future,” which chronicled the vast amount of natural gas reserves available in East Texas and what it could mean for the local economy.

Designer Kathryn Garvin took home second and third place awards in the infographics category for her designs for the “Fueling the Future” piece and the solar eclipse viewing guide, respectively.

“Lots of great information here tied together with lovely illustrations,” the judge said about the eclipse infographic. “A really nice piece for readers to cut out and keep as they planned for the eclipse. Good work!”

Garvin also took home an honorable mention in headline writing for a portfolio of headlines the judge described as a “very solid bunch in very competitive field.”

Multimedia Journalist Chelsea Purgahn received an honorable mention in the sports photography category for her photo of a female basketball player recovering the ball for a rebound with a mural of the eyes of a lion in the background behind the goal.

“The judges appreciate the creativity and planning that went into getting this photo,” the comments read.

The convention continues through Sunday in Corpus Christi.

First Place

– Sports feature, Chris Parry

Second Place

– Star Reporter of the Year, Jacque Hilburn-Simmons

– Photojournalism, Sarah Miller

– Infographics, Kathryn Garvin

Third Place

– Star Breaking News Report of the Year, staff

– Business reporting, Roy Maynard

– Infographics, Kathryn Garvin

Honorable Mention

– Star Photojournalist of the Year, Chelsea Purgahn

– Sports photography, Chelsea Purgahn

– Headline writing, Kathryn Garvin