Enquirer reporters win two national Gannett awards

Three Enquirer reporters were recognized Friday for their exceptional work.

Sharon Coolidge, Cindi Andrews and John Faherty received first place awards in the national Best of Gannett awards, a contest that recognizes the company's best journalism in 2014.

Gannett is one of the largest media companies in the U.S., operating 82 daily newspapers, including the Enquirer, and 443 non-daily local publications.

Reporter Sharon Coolidge and Opinion Editor Cindi Andrews received a first place award in breaking news for their coverage on the death of Leelah Alcorn, a transgender teen who committed suicide because she didn't feel accepted.

"Sensitive but clearheaded, quick and thoughtful, this story helped people understand the unfolding tragedy in as close to real time as possible," the judges wrote about the coverage.

Coolidge primarily covered the breaking news story, while Andrews and the editorial board wrote follow-up stories encouraging the community to better love and accept the LGBT community.

Coolidge said she was shocked when she heard about the award, but that ultimately, she didn't write the story for her own recognition.

"Leelah wanted her story to be told and I feel like we did that," Coolidge said. "It's nice to be honored, but this was about Leelah and it still is about Leelah."

Coolidge said The Enquirer staff took extra precautions in reporting about Alcorn's death. Coolidge knew about Alcorn's death for 24 hours before she reported it.

"We had a lot of conversations about this," Coolidge said. "I talked to coworkers and editors, and we put a lot of thought into it."

Meanwhile, Faherty received first place recognition in the narrative writing category for his first-person account of a pancreas transplant.

"The narrative takes the reader through the complexities of transplantation, from recipient selection to organ rejection, in the kind of intimate detail that only the patient can describe," the judges wrote. "It's first-person journalism that leaves the reader more sensitive to organ donation — and hopeful that he or she doesn't some day face the same challenge of searching for a new pancreas."

Carolyn Washburn, Enquirer editor and vice president of news, congratulated the reporters and their partners on the projects - Laura Trujillo, former managing editor and Faherty's wife; Carrie Cochran, photographer and producer; and Meg Vogel, photographer and reporter.

"This is wonderful recognition for the work of Enquirer journalists that is among the best in the nation," Washburn said. "It is thoughtful and careful and smart and thorough. And beautiful."

"Most importantly, it makes a difference," she said. "More people became organ donors and more transgender kids reach out for help."