Capitani, three others recognized for their contributions to journalism

PORTLAND, ME- Four journalists will receive the prestigious Yankee Quill Award this spring for their contributions to the betterment of journalism in the six-state New England region.  
Randy Capitani is being  honored for his wide contributions to journalism. He is the publisher of The Deerfield Valley News and has spent more than 40 years serving his community and the newspaper industry. As a versatile editor, reporter, photographer, and graphic designer, Capitani has become a central figure in the Deerfield Valley, covering local news and sports with passion and dedication. He has served on numerous boards, including the New England Press Association and the Vermont Press Association, and is the longtime president of the Journalism Education Foundation of New England. His deep commitment to his community extends beyond journalism. He has been involved in various local initiatives, from youth sports to economic development, and even helped shape the River Valleys Unified Union School District. His hands-on approach to both publishing and community service has earned him widespread respect, and his work continues to inspire others in both the field of journalism and beyond.
Mike Bello will receive the award for his unwavering commitment to quality journalism and his lasting impact on colleagues and the newsroom. Starting at just 14, he built an impressive career in radio, TV, and print journalism, earning accolades such as a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Gloria Negri was a one-of-a-kind, groundbreaking woman journalist who arguably was the first to crack the Globe’s glass ceiling. Negri, who died in 2017 at 91, gave a bequest of $1 million to Globe Santa, which has given holiday packages to more than 3 million children of all backgrounds. The New England First Amendment Coalition received a bequest of $818,125, and the coalition named its annual multiday journalism training program the Gloria Negri First Amendment Institute.
Jacqueline Smith, a distinguished journalist and educator, receives the prestigious Yankee Quill Award for her profound impact on journalism, both in practice and education, and her steadfast advocacy for press rights. With a career spanning more than four decades, Smith began as a small-town stringer at the Hartford Courant before covering education and defense at The Day of New London.
The Yankee Quill is bestowed annually by the Academy of New England  Journalists through the auspices of the New England Society of News Editors. It is considered the highest individual honor awarded to newspaper, TV, radio, magazine, and other journalists in the six-state region. Winners are selected based on a history of lifetime achievement showing a broad impact in New England journalism.
This year’s Yankee Quill awards will be presented during the annual convention of the New England Newspaper and Press Association on Saturday, March 29, at The Portland Regency Hotel.