DFW AIRPORT –– The Boerne Star won recognition for journalism excellence and high standards of reporting in the 2025 Texas Better Newspaper Contest.
Presentation of the awards took place on the last day of the Texas Newspaper Association’s annual Convention & Trade Show, held June 18-20 at the Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport. According to TPA officials, 103 member newspapers submitted 1,020 entries encompassing stories or other content published in 2025. The impartial Washington Newspapers Publishers Association handled the judging across 10 divisions grouped by frequency and circulation.
The Star is owned by Granite Media Partners Inc., a 50-year-old Texas news and marketing company that operates or manages publications stretching from East Texas to the Big Bend area.
“The Star’s performance in the statewide contest continues to show our commitment to rigorous reporting, adherence to the facts and telling our audience what happened, not what to think,” said Thomas Edwards, executive editor of Granite. “Our ultimate goal is to keep our communities informed without fear or favor dictating our efforts.”
Managing Editor Jeff B. Flinn echoed Edwards’ sentiment.
“The time and effort put into the work reflect the face of the cities and county we cover,” Flinn said. “A paper can only be as great as the community it serves.”
The Star awards included:
• Second place, feature photography. Judges’ comments: “Good action shots, the trampoline and dog photos especially; those look like they’d be very difficult to get.”
• Second place, headline writing. Judges: “Good use of words to draw reader in to see what content holds. Nicely done.”
• Third place, feature writing. Judges: “Wonderful feature about Ammie’s Playground. The lead pulled me in and made me suddenly care about a playground that’s more than 1,000 miles from where I live.”
• Fourth place, news photography. Judges: “Really liked the polo action shot, and the principal’s face in the award photo.”
Boerne Star staff includes Publisher Daniel Philhower, Edwards, Flinn, Sports Editor Kerry Barboza, Staff Writer Veronica Rector, Administrative Assistant Sonya Pitts, Advertising Executive Tony Estala and Circulation/Delivery Edwin DeJesus Jr.
“With our tight-knit staff, it’s a total team effort to get the news covered, produced, printed and delivered each week,” Flinn said. “We’re happy to be recognized for such effort.”
According to TPA officials, Granite publications overall claimed more than 40 statewide awards, including five firstplace commendations. Some of the awards lauded the company’s continuing expansion into digital platforms.
TPA, founded in 1880, is dedicated to advocating for the welfare of Texas newspapers, “encourages higher standards of journalism and plays an important role in protecting the public’s right to know as an advocate of First Amendment liberties,” according to its website.
The organization represents 328 paid- circulation newspapers — 40 dailies and 288 non-dailies.
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