SAM photo earns award

A photo which appeared in the June 25 edition of the Advocate-Messenger received the title of top news photo for the third quarter by the National Newspaper Association.

The photograph, taken by LuAnn Schindler, shows 2020 Clearwater graduate Lauren Behnk hugging her niece and nephew following the school's graduation ceremony.

Schindler titled the photo, "Sweet success," and included the following cutline: Lauren Behnk receives a hug from her niece and nephew, Cady and Andy Klabenes, during commencement exercises, Saturday. Behnk was named valedictorian of the Clearwater Public Schools class of 2020.

The photograph is included in the November edition of Publishers' Auxiliary, the oldest newspaper serving the industry. It was first published in 1865.