From left, DAR Andrew Pickens Chapter corresponding secretary Darlene Dowdy, state regent Dianne Culbertson, Pickens County Courier Publisher Rocky Nimmons and his wife, Marty, Andrew Pickens Chapter regent Mari Noorai, and DAR state chair for public relations and media Deanna Cochran. Right, Pickens County Courier Editor Zack Mauldin.

COLUMBIA — The Pickens County Courier received statewide honors twice in one day earlier this month, as publisher Rocky Nimmons was named as the S.C. Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution’s State Outstanding Media Award winner and editor Zack Mauldin earned two S.C. Press Association awards.

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Nimmons was honored at the 120th annual conference of the S.C. Society of the DAR, while Mauldin received recognition at the annual SCPA meeting, both held in Columbia on March 19.

Mauldin earned a first-place award for photo page design and a third-place honor for sports page design in the weekly over 4,500 category, competing against the largest weekly newspapers from across the state.

Mauldin’s first-place recognition came for a page published following Pickens County’s honoring of its four Medal of Honor winners with memorial dedications for each across the county.

Judges praised the page’s “simple but elegant” design, commending its “impressive variety of images that speak to the emotion of the event.” Nimmons traveled around the county on the day of the event, capturing poignant moments at each of the four dedication ceremonies.

Mauldin was also honored for the design of a page from the Dec. 3, 2014, edition, about the Clemson Tigers’ 35-17 victory over rival South Carolina, ending the Gamecocks’ five-year win streak in the series.

“I am so proud that Zack was recognized for his outstanding work,” Nimmons said. “The awards he won this year for pages are only a small example of the many amazing pages he has designed over the past years.

“He just has that certain knack for leading our readers on a journey through our pages with his style of storytelling through layout. It seems like only yesterday he was learning the art of layout, and today he is one of the most dynamic page designers and editors in the newspaper business. His work designing pages complements that of our award-winning graphic artist Emily Wright and her amazing ads. The Courier and our loyal readers are blessed to have this duo bringing them their news each and every week.”

Nimmons’ honor came after the Andrew Pickens Chapter of the DAR in Clemson recognized him for outstanding work that promotes historic preservation, education or patriotism. From among state honorees, Nimmons was selected by the S.C. DAR Public Relations and Media Committee as the statewide winner.

“Mr. Nimmons’ weekly publication’s positive impact on the Pickens County community and beyond is immeasurable, wholeheartedly supporting the DAR motto of ‘God, Home and Country,’” read a letter written to nominate Nimmons by Andrew Pickens Chapter regent Mari R. Noorai. ” Pickens County is made up of nine cities and includes the Clemson University, Southern Wesleyan Universit, and Tri-County Technical College communities in its readership. As the publisher of the Pickens County Courier, Mr. Nimmons promotes news stories that cover areas of education, historic preservation and patriotism throughout its sections. Mr. Nimmons’ reputation for publishing outstanding news stories in the community is well known by many.

“Mr. Nimmons cares deeply for the Pickens County community, which is conveyed on every page of this publication, and this publication is the only locally owned and operated newspaper in Pickens County. When a tragedy occurs, the coverage of the Pickens County Courier is respectful to all sides, and, when needed, grieves with the community.”

Noorai expressed her admiration and gratitude for Nimmons for “his dedication to the Pickens County community and what we hold dear.”

“The news coverage of the Pickens County Courier makes education, historic preservation and patriotism a part of all of our lives,” she said. “Our community is better connected and more involved because of the publication under Mr. Nimmons’ capable and loving leadership.”

Nimmons, who founded the Courier along with a handful of staff members in 2007, was awestruck at being named the statewide honoree.

“It is a great honor and very humbling that I can accept this incredible award,” Nimmons said. “I have been blessed with a 32-year career in the newspaper industry here in Pickens County and see no end in sight.”

Nimmons is the only person to have ever acted as publisher at every newspaper in Pickens County during his career, but knows that with his success, one thing has always been a constant.

“I owe so much to the many men and women who I have worked with and learned from over the years,” he said. “I have had so many great staff members, but none can compare to the current group that brings you the Pickens County Courier each and every week. I am just a small part of what makes the Courier great. It is people like Zack Mauldin, Iva Stratton, Emily Wright, Mignonne Matheson, Jason Evans and Pamela Dodson who deserve so much of the credit. From our ladies who insert the paper on Wednesdays to the folks who deliver the paper to the stores near you every week, all make the Courier possible, and without them, Pickens County would not get its paper every Wednesday.”

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