Thomas Cooper | Lightboximages.com
Brenda Brandt, in front, is completely surprised and overwhelmed when her mom, Elna Johnson (back), and other family members appear in Denver as the Newspaper Person of the Year is announced last Saturday.
Johnson Publications publisher named newspaper person of the year
By Darci Tomky
The Holyoke Enterprise
“Splendid” was a word echoed between two sisters and two brothers Saturday evening, April 22, as they gathered together in Denver. It was a word their father always used to say, and it was a fitting remark for this occasion.
Before a crowd of the industry’s finest people from across the state, Brenda Brandt was named the 2016 Newspaper Person of the Year at the Colorado Press Association’s 139th annual convention.
“I was humbled beyond belief,” said Brandt of the honor that took her completely by surprise.
“Any newspaper award you win is based on having a community to cover,” she said, “and I have good people to make it happen.”
When Merle Baranczyk, editor and publisher of Arkansas Valley Publishing, took the stage to present the award, Brandt knew his description of meeting a pair of mentors four decades ago could only be about two people: her parents, Elna and the late Loral Johnson.
At that moment, Brenda was shocked to find Elna squeeze her shoulder, with brothers Randy and Kurt Johnson and sister Lori Pankonin close behind.