The New Mexico Press Association (NMPA) recently awarded the Cibola Citizen with several Better Newspaper Awards. These awards recognize the reporting and contributions to the field of journalism, highlighting the dedication and hard work of various newspapers across the state.
In the Weekly Newspaper Class II category, the Citizen received second place for general excellence, a title that judges awarded based on a body of work, evaluating the overall quality and impact of the publication. The Citizen was also awarded second place for Best Special Section and second place for Best Magazine.
Cibola Citizen Editor Diego Lopez received several awards as well. Lopez earned first place for Feature Writing and first place for Education Writing. He received second place for the Sunshine Award, an award that is about advocating for transparency and commitment to journalistic integrity. This honor highlights his editorial contribution that advocate for transparency and the public’s “right to know.” Through unbiased reporting, Lopez succeeded in shedding light on critical issues, reinforcing the essential role of journalism in democracy.
Additionally, Clara Garcia was inducted into the 2025 NMPA Hall of Fame. As the editor and publisher of the Valencia County News-Bulletin, Garcia is the first hispanic woman to receive this honor.