David DeMille, Eugene Register-Guard
June 7, 2024 at 3:31 PM

The Register-Guard was recognized for journalistic excellence this week through the Society of Professional Journalists Region 10 contest.

The SPJ competition is one of the largest in the nation, honoring journalists across Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon. Its list of 2023 winners was announced on Thursday.

Competing in the “Large Newsroom” division against the region’s largest media entities, The Register-Guard was recognized for a year’s worth of compelling photojournalism.

Photographer Ben Lonergan won a first-place award in the Feature Photography category for “Egg hunt,” his picture of two volunteers spreading eggs between hunts at the annual “Megga” Easter egg hunt at Lively Park in Springfield.

Volunteers spread eggs between hunts at Willamalane’s annual “Megga” Easter egg hunt at Lively Park in Springfield Saturday, April 8, 2023.Volunteers spread eggs between hunts at Willamalane’s annual “Megga” Easter egg hunt at Lively Park in Springfield Saturday, April 8, 2023.
Volunteers spread eggs between hunts at Willamalane’s annual “Megga” Easter egg hunt at Lively Park in Springfield Saturday, April 8, 2023.

Chris Pietsch, The Register-Guard’s director of photography and multimedia, won second place in the Photo Portfolio category for his collection of images made throughout the year.

Anna Louise Baker, center, celebrates her 105th birthday surrounded by family and friends during a party at Sweetbriar Villa in Springfield.Anna Louise Baker, center, celebrates her 105th birthday surrounded by family and friends during a party at Sweetbriar Villa in Springfield.
Anna Louise Baker, center, celebrates her 105th birthday surrounded by family and friends during a party at Sweetbriar Villa in Springfield.

In addition, The Register-Guard’s sister paper, the Statesman Journal, received awards for its in-depth reporting and sports photography.

Zach Urness, whose coverage of Oregon’s outdoors runs in the pages of both newspapers, won second place in the Environment & Natural Disaster Reporting category for his coverage of water drawdowns made at Oregon reservoirs in an attempt to save endangered salmon populations. The move, taken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ended up having wide consequences.

Read the story: ‘So muddy it looks like pudding.’ Sweet Home grapples with drinking water amid drawdown

Kevin Neri was recognized with a second-place award in Sports Action Photography by spotting a heartwarming moment with his photo “Proud soccer mom,” showcasing the emotional connection between Estacada’s Gener Pinto-Dominguez and his mother, Jeanette Pinto, after the team’s upset win over Stayton in the first round of the OSAA 4A state playoffs.

Estacada's Gener Pinto-Dominguez (7) hugs his mother, Jeanette Pinto, after winning the first round of the OSAA 4A state playoffs on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at Stayton High School in Stayton, Ore.Estacada's Gener Pinto-Dominguez (7) hugs his mother, Jeanette Pinto, after winning the first round of the OSAA 4A state playoffs on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at Stayton High School in Stayton, Ore.
Estacada’s Gener Pinto-Dominguez (7) hugs his mother, Jeanette Pinto, after winning the first round of the OSAA 4A state playoffs on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at Stayton High School in Stayton, Ore.

David DeMille is the manager of content for the Register-Guard. Reach him at ddemille@registerguard.com.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Register-Guard journalists win SPJ awards for reporting, photos