STPA celebrates 92nd annual convention

KERRVILLE – Award winners were toasted and at least one recipient was roasted at the 92nd annual South Texas Press Association meeting at the YO Ranch Hotel in Kerrville.
The convention featured educational seminars, business meetings and presentation of the 2018 STPA Better Newspaper Contest awards and other recognitions. 
Speakers included Port Aransas South Jetty Editor Dan Parker, who gave an overview of the newspaper’s coverage of Hurricane Harvey, Derek Bryant, social media director at The Wood Agency, and Micheal Hodges, executive director of Texas Press Association. 
Master of Ceremonies Larry Jackson conducted an entertaining “roast” of Glenn Rea while presenting the STPA Chester Evans Award recognizing individuals who have demonstrated longtime commitment and service to STPA and the community newspaper industry. Publisher-emeritus of the Cuero Record and Yorktown News-View, Rea has served in every officer position on the STPA board. In addition, he is a past president of TPA.
The Red Gibson Friend of STPA Award was presented to the linemen of AEP, represented at the meeting by Omar Lopez and Larry Jones. 
“Last year was the year of Hurricane Harvey, the year of flooding, the year of displaced newspapers, the year of lost homes, lost jobs, of lost schools, of lost businesses,” Jackson said in presenting the award. 
“This was also a year of compassion, a year of courage, a year of heroes. For these reasons, this year’s Red Gibson Award is presented to the dedicated line crews of AEP in recognition of their outstanding and dedicated service.”
Winners of the 2018 STPA Better Newspaper Contest were announced as part of the closing program. Members of the West Texas Press Association judged this year’s entries. 
Sweepstakes winners included the Hays Free Press in Division I, Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post in Division II and the Uvalde leader-News in Division III.
Joyce Hauk, Copperas Cove Banner, completed her term as president and took office as chairman of the board for 2018-19.
Other officers installed at the meeting were Chris Maher, Kingsville Record, president; Regina Keilers, Fayette County Record, first vice president; Dan Parker, Port Aransas South Jetty, second vice president; Jeff Berger, Hondo Anvil Herald, secretary-treasurer; and Sam Fore Keach, Robstown Record (ret.), historian. Assistants to the president are Mary Judson, Port Aransas South Jetty, and Larry Jackson, Fayette County Record (ret.).
Directors with terms expiring in 2019 include Ken Esten Cooke, Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post, Manuel Azocar, Frio-Nueces Current, and Sonya Timpone, Cuero Record. Directors with terms expiring in 2020 are Sue Brown, Pleasanton Express, Brandi Chionsini, Fenice Community Media, and Karen Lopez, Sealy News. Directors with terms expiring in 2021 are Diane Cosgrove, Hondo Anvil Herald, Melissa Perner, Ozona Stockman, and Rhonda Chancellor, Pleasanton Express.