Two journalists from LargeNetwork have won the top spots in the Prix Chuard 2011. Geneviève Ruiz won first prize, while Melinda Marchese took second place. Awarded annually by the Centre Romand de Formation des Journalistes (CRFJ), the Prix Chuard recognizes outstanding journalistic work produced during the training period.

“It’s the first time in the history of the Chuard Prize, which has been awarded yearly since 1994, that two journalists from the same media outlet have been nominated,” revealed CRFJ Director Eliane Baillif during the ceremony. “It’s a coup, particularly since it’s for a relatively short piece.”

The Director also alluded to the “originality and excellence of the journalistic work” done by the LargeNetwork writers, as well as their “versatility, illustrated by a wide diversity of subjects.” She particularly noted the “pertinence” of Geneviève Ruiz’s “journalistic curiosity, sense of subject matter and ability to handle complexity.”