The Santa Cruz Sentinel won three awards competing in Division 3 of the 2024 California Journalism Awards put on by the California News Publishers Association.
Contributing photographer Raul Ebio took first place in the Sports Action Photo category for artistically capturing Aptos High swimmer Alexia Fajardo competing in the 100-yard backstroke at the Central Coast Section Championships in San Jose on May 4, 2024.
Shmuel Thaler took second place in the Photojournalism category for a collection of his strongest photography for the Sentinel last year. The Tribune of San Luis Obispo took first place. Thaler also took second place in the Artistic Photo category for his photo of sand art titled “The Pyramids” by Santa Cruz-based and internationally renowned artists Jim Denevan and son Brighton Denevan at Cowell Beach.
Thaler has been a staff photographer at the Sentinel since 1987. He was named the 2016 Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year and his photographs have appeared in every major newspaper in the United States. He has won numerous awards through the years in CNPA contests.
“Shmuel is the heart and soul of the Sentinel; he’s a Santa Cruz institution,” said Sentinel Managing Editor Tom Wright. “And Raul’s hard work and dedication shows that we cover sports better than anyone else in the area. Our staff has an unwavering commitment to covering the county and it’s an honor to see their hard work recognized.”