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Excellent: Observer claims 12 NMPA awards, including in two prestigious categories
Plaques for nine of the 12 awards the Rio Rancho Observer won during the New Mexico Press Association 2025 Better Newspaper Awards Ceremony Saturday night at The Clyde Hotel in downtown Albuquerque.
ALBUQUERQUE — Make it a round dozen.
That’s how many awards the Rio Rancho Observer took home during the New Mexico Press Association 2025 Better Newspaper Awards Saturday, held at The Clyde Hotel in downtown Albuquerque.
The Observer had a successful night, placing in 11 categories, including two of the most prestigious: the Sunshine Award and General Excellence.
“I’m so proud of our team and what we were able to accomplish. The variety of categories we were recognized for really shows how well-rounded our coverage has been,” said Observer Editor Tracy Goldizen. “It’s amazing to get this recognition, especially since we were short-staffed most of the year. I’m really proud of the work the Observer team has produced and look forward to more great things to come.”
General Excellence was judged on a combination of design and layout, quality of writing, advertising, photos, headlines, front pages of sections, and production quality based on three issues throughout the contest period (July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025).
In its class, the Observer placed only behind The Taos News, which has had a stranglehold on the category since 2000. The judges commented, “Strong design and layout, good photos, ad mix was strong. Writing was strong overall.”
Criteria for the Sunshine Award focused on “editorials, news stories or accounts of actions taken by the newspaper on the local level to gain access to governmental records or meetings. ... Entries will be judged on the newspaper’s ability to focus attention on the public’s ‘right to know’ by presenting information in an unbiased manner.”
The Observer’s entry centered on a complaint made to the state, on the advice of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, regarding a three-month delay in receiving arrest records, the decision from the New Mexico Department of Justice and a pair of editorials that outlined the complaint and questions the DOJ’s findings left behind.
In awarding the Observer second place, the judges commented, “The Observer served its readers by informing them of the paper’s ongoing battle to obtain routine arrest records from the City of Rio Rancho and explaining how the practices differed from nearby agencies.”
The Observer also took home first place in several individual categories.
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Goldizen placed first for Breaking News (print), Breaking News (digital) and Business Writing. Former sports writer Taylor Hood received first place in Sports Writing, and Michaela Helean, staff writer, received first place for General News Photo.
For Breaking News, Goldizen was recognized for “Accident results in multiple deaths; several hospitalized,” in the print category. The initial reporting on the fatal accident in November 2024 in which four people and the Miller family’s unborn baby were killed. The initial reporting on the accident also received second place in the digital category.
“Out of a tough category covering even tougher topics, this story stood out for presenting all the necessary information while also weaving in the human element,” the judges wrote. “The inclusion of voices and perspectives on the devastating impact of the incident brought depth and compassion to the coverage.”
The first-place award for breaking digital news stemmed from reporting on an overnight standoff in Corrales Heights in which a man shot hundreds of rounds during the night, including at police helicopters. “Story contained all of the necessary details to the situation in a quick-to-consume format,” reads the judges’ comments. “The clear updates were a nice addition, letting people know that the story developed over time.”
In the business category, Goldizen was awarded for her coverage of the announcement that U.S. Cotton production in Rio Rancho was going to shut down. “This was an extremely strong category,” the judges said. “This story is well-written and left no question unanswered, covering all the facets of the cotton industry and impacts to Rio Rancho.”
US Cotton to shut down Rio Rancho production
Helean’s recognition stemmed from coverage of the vigil for 15-year-old Adrian Maestas, whose murder remains unsolved more than a year later. Helean’s photo from the vigil earned recognition from the judges, with the comment, “Nice emotion in this dramatic situation.”
Helean’s coverage of the teen’s murder and updates on the case also earned her second-place honors for Ongoing/Continuing Coverage. “Another unspeakable tragedy, but one that the Rio Rancho Observer covered with continued care,” the judges wrote. “I admire the reporter for following this story over months, attending multiple services and following up on a memorial’s vandalization. It really shows a commitment to the story and an understanding of what matters to your community in the aftermath of tragedy.”
“I am proud to be a part of this team. These awards prove that one of Rio Rancho’s most horrific murders hasn’t gone unnoticed. The recognition is more for the young teen than myself,” Helean said. “I intend to see the story through until it goes to a trial. My thoughts go to Maestas’ family while they struggle to get closure.”
Vause named Gatorade National XC Player of the Year
Hood’s award came out of much more positive news: Rio Rancho High School cross-country standout Charlie Vause being named Gatorade National Boys Cross-Country Player of the Year. “Great lead and read. I felt like I was there and experienced the emotions,” the judges commented.
Additional recognition in sports coverage stemmed from a photo from Joe Grimando, a photo correspondent for the Observer. He was awarded second place in the Sports Photo category for an image from Cleveland High School football with a concise comment: “Nicely done.”
The Observer placed in a third photo category, for feature photos. Goldizen was awarded second place for a photo taken during an Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Flight. “The color and light of this image is beautiful, and the unique angle gives the viewer a new perspective,” the judges wrote.
Goldizen also earned second-place honors for one of the editorials included in the Sunshine Award category: “Loopholes in IPRA law need to be addressed.”
“Good job explaining the publication deadline issue, then pivoting to a strong piece about the issue at hand,” the judges commented. “Keep fighting the good fight!”
