Comox Valley Record reporter Erin Haluschak is a finalist for a pair of BC/Yukon Community Newspaper Association awards.
The finalists for the 2021 BCYCNA Ma Murray Awards were announced Friday, March 19, and Haluschak will be the sole Record representative for the gala, which, due to COVID-19 restrictions, will be an online event this year, on April 29.
Haluschak was named one of the finalists for the Multimedia Feature Story Award, for ‘Someone knows something’: a look into Vancouver Island missing persons with interactive map.
“The idea for this piece was something that had been on my mind for quite some time - ever since I had covered the story of the search for missing Comox Valley hiker Sylvia Apps in 2014,” said Haluschak. “I had always been curious in the circumstances on how people go missing. There appear to be two parts to these stories - the tangible facts that family, friends, searchers, police and investigators can piece together and use in their search, in addition to an element of the unknown and unexplainable. How can people truly ‘disappear?’ I really wanted to look at both sides, and take a more comprehensive look at those missing in communities all across Vancouver Island to honour their stories.”
Haluschak created an interactive map as a key feature of this piece.
“I included photos, a short background and links to full stories so that readers can click on a person, geographic area or community, and get further details on those individuals reported missing within the last four decades.”
She is also a finalist in the Special Publications Award category, for Trio Magazine, of which Haluschak is the editor.
“I’m really proud of this nomination as it was truly a group effort, particularly with the impact of COVID-19 on the past year, and how our staff stepped up to produce creative, engaging and well-crafted stories and images on individuals within our community,” said Haluschak. “The goal with Trio Magazine is to help show the diverse people and stories within the Comox Valley, and take a deeper look into those who make our community the unique and amazing place it is.”
The winter 2020 issue, which was published in December, was the one Haluschak selected as her submission.
This marks the first time Trio Magazine has been selected as a finalist in its five years of existence.
It also marks Haluschak’s first nominations as a writer, and as an editor. She was a finalist for the Feature Photo Award in 2014.
terry.farrell@blackpress.ca
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