Congrats to the DRC

[Harry]

DRC's Payne named Star Photographer of the Year

Denton Record-Chronicle staff photographer Gary Payne was named the

Class AA Star Photographer of the Year from the Texas Associated Press Managing

Editors on Saturday.

He submitted a portfolio of photos to win the award. The award means he

submitted the best portfolio of any photographer in Texas in the Denton

Record-Chronicle's circulation category. In addition, the

Record-Chronicle won three first-place awards, presented during the group's

annual meeting Saturday in Houston. Boo Allen, Mike Trimble and Brett Vito each

received awards in Class AA for their work in 2005.

There are four classes in all, based on a newspaper's size and

circulation, with awards made in 21 categories of writing, photography and design.

The Record-Chronicle tied with The Eagle in Bryan-College Station for most

first-place wins in its class.

Allen was awarded first place in the comment and criticism category,

Trimble in editorial writing and Vito in sports features. In addition,

sportswriter Ethan Szatmary took second place in sports features. The

Record-Chronicle also picked up five honorable mentions, one to Donna Fielder in

features, one to Chuck Cox in sports features, one to Mariel Tam in comment and

criticism, and two to Payne. Both Payne's photojournalism and sports

photos received those honors as well.

-- Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe