OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
2019
AWARD WINNERS PRESENTED ONLINE JUNE 15, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST WINNERS
Sequoyah Award Winners................................................................................ Page 5
Division 1, Dailies, Circulation more than 6,200.............................................. Page 6
Division 2, Dailies, Circulation 3,000 – 6,200.................................................. Page 8
Division 3, Dailies, Circulation less than 3,000.............................................. Page 10
Semi- and Tri-Weeklies.................................................................................. Page 12
Division 4, Weeklies, Circulation more than 1,600........................................ Page 14
Division 5, Weekies, Circulation 1,050 – 1,600............................................. Page 16
Division 6, Weeklies, Circulation 725 – 1,049............................................... Page 18
Division 7, Weeklies, Circulation less than 725............................................. Page 20
College Newspapers...................................................................................... Page 22
ADDITIONAL AWARDS..................................................................................................... Pages 23-24 PERFECTA AWARD WINNERS............................................................................................... Page 25
2019-20 OPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS
DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT RAY DYER, EL RENO TRIBUNE
JOHN DENNY MONTGOMERY, THE PURCELL REGISTER
VICE PRESIDENT MIKE STRAIN, TULSA WORLD
MARK MILLSAP, THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT
TREASURER JEFF SHULTZ, GARVIN COUNTY NEWS STAR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT MARK THOMAS, OPA
ZONELLE RAINBOLT, WESNER PUBLICATIONS DON MECOY, THE OKLAHOMAN SHAUNA BELYEU, THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL SHEILA GAY, WOODWARD NEWS
PAST PRESIDENT BRIAN BLANSETT, TRI-COUNTY HERALD (MEEKER)
2019 OPA AWARD WINNERS
3
CHEERS to all the 2019 AWARD WINNERS.
Although we could not be together to toast your achievements this year, the Oklahoma Press Association is proud to honor these award winners for their excellence and commitment to their communities.
4
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
2019 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST
SEQUOYAH AWARD WINNERS DIVISION 1
Dailies, Circulation more than 6,200
DIVISION 2
Dailies, Circulation 3,000 - 6,200
DIVISION 3
Dailies, Circulation less than 3,000
SEMI- & TRIWEEKLIES Sequoyah County Times 05/29/2019
Copy Reduced to 44% from original to fit letter page
DIVISION 4
Weeklies, Circulation more than 1,600
May 19, 2020 6:54 pm /
DIVISION 5
Weeklies, Circulation 1,050 - 1,600
DIVISION 6
DIVISION 7
Weeklies, Circulation 725 - 1,049
COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS
Weeklies, Circulation less than 725
Tri-County Herald 06/14/2019
Copy Reduced to 46% from original to fit letter page
Herald The
50¢ 275-7172
312 N. Harrison Shawnee, OK
“Only a fool fights in a burning house.” - Klingon proverb
Serving Meeker, McLoud, Dale and North Rock Creek
VOL. 40,
Move-in day at NRC
ISSUE 24
The ‘67 Cougar
By Brian Blansett brian@tricountyherald.com Father’s Day seems an appropriate time to revisit the trip my dad and I made to Denton, Texas, to buy half a car. Dad was a body and fender man and had a body shop in Ada in the 1960s. He did insurance work, mostly, but he usually kept a muscle car in the shop so he could work on it if things got slow. These were cars that had been wrecked but didn’t have too much damage. Every few months he would have one ready and would tape a “For Sale” sign in the window and let me drive it around. He rebuilt a ‘68 Mustang and a ‘68 GTO, which was the most powerful car I have ever driven. Not that I am admitting to such behavior, but let’s say you were doing maybe 80 on the highway some afternoon and there was no traffic in either direction. You could stomp the gas and, even at that speed, the Goat would pin your shoulders to the seat like Haystack Calhoun on a wrestling mat. I hated to see Dad sell that car, but, in retrospect, it was a good thing. One day, he chanced across a ‘67 Cougar that had been hit from behind. And by hit from behind, I mean that it was crushed almost to the back seat. The front half of the cat was pristine, and something about it made a lightbulb switch on over Dad’s head. He called around until he found a mirror image of the Cougar at a salvage yard in Denton. The front end had been squashed like a concertina, but the rear end was in perfect shape. So one Saturday, Dad and I drove to the salvage yard. He bought the good half of the car and showed the salvage yard guys where he wanted it cut in half, which was about where the headrest would be. They loaded the back half onto his pickup, he strapped it down and we headed back to Fitzhugh. He cut the other car in half in his body shop and worked on the project in spare time for a few weeks. When he was finished, the Cougar looked like it had just rolled off the assembly line. It was a blast to drive. I have marveled in the years since at how Dad could conceive such an idea and pull it off without even a note on a scrap of paper. It was an impressive feat for a fifth-grade dropout. And whenever he said “you can do anything you want to,” I believed him.
Jaden Jennings Herald Staff “It is going to be like going to Disney,” said North Rock Creek High School English teacher Amanda MacDonald. For MacDonald and the first set of teachers to ever enter the new high school, the next few days for the faculty will be an anxious waiting game. The teachers will officially start moving into the building on June 17th. “Some might be on vacation and won’t move in until the beginning of July, but all teachers will have the ability to move in on the 17th,” said Blake Moody, Superintendent of North Rock Creek Schools. Last year, a $21 million bond issue passed which started the con-
Amanda MacDonald in front of the entrance at the new North Rock Creek High School. Photo/Jaden Jennings
struction process for the new North Rock Creek High School. Now, that process is almost complete. Last year, the very first class of freshmen were in open rooms in other buildings. Soon, they will all have regular classes in the new facility. However, one of the biggest tasks left for the teachers this summer is to be trained before the students start classes. “Every staff member will get a key
Sequoyah three-peat The Tri-County Herald won its third straight Sequoyah Award, which was presented Saturday night at the Oklahoma Press Association’s annual convention at the Grand Casino. The Sequoyah Award is given annually to the top nine newspapers among the press association’s 175 members. “This is exciting for us,” said publisher Brian Blansett. “The most important thing is to put out a good newspaper and serve our readers and advertisers every week, but it’s nice to be recognized for our work.” In addition to the Sequoyah Award, the Herald also won first place in sports coverage and several individual awards in the association’s Better Newspaper Contest, which was judged by the
www.tricountyherald.com
Friday, June 14, 2019
fob to get into the door, so they will need to be trained on how to open the door,” Moody said. “Also, all of this is brand new technology for us. Teaching screens, touch screens, mirroring devices, sound systems, digital screens, so all of our teachers have to be trained.” Another new aspect that needs training is something just as simple Continued on Page 2
Summertime hoops
New Mexico Press Association. Photographer Rick Hester won first place in sports photography and Blansett won first place in column writing, feature photography and feature writing. The Herald swept all three places in feature photography and won second place in layout and design, advertising, general photography, sales promotion and front page design.
McLoud warrant amnesty program The city of McLoud is running a list of individuals who have outstanding warrants on file and is offering amnesty for a limited time. The list appears on Page 7 of this edition. Anyone appearing on the list may stop by the McLoud Police Department at 408 W. Broadway or call 405-7884800.
Meeker’s Savanna Nelson makes a strong move to the hoop against Preston during the I-40 Shootout scrimmage in Bethel on Monday. For more photos of Meeker and Dale basketball, see Page 10. Photo/Brian Blansett
9587 N. Harrison Shawnee 405-273-2317 reecetile.com
Shawn
ee
May 19, 2020 12:24 pm /
POINTS: Points in the first eight categories are awarded as follows. No points are awarded in categories 9 through 20.
EVENTS 1-3 1st Place 110 Points 2nd Place 80 Points 3rd Place 60 Points
EVENTS 4-8 1st Place 100 Points 2nd Place 70 Points 3rd Place 50 Points
Each division’s Sweepstakes winner, which is determined by the amount of points accumulated in the first eight categories, receives the Sequoyah Award – the highest honor in the contest.
2019 OPA AWARD WINNERS
5
2019 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 1 RESULTS, DAILIES, CIRC. MORE THAN 6,200 NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Steve Metzer The Journal Record
The Norman Transcript
The Norman Transcript
“Unlawful Acts”
Oklahoma City
The Lawton Constitution
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Janice Francis-Smith The Journal Record
The Journal Record
Enid News & Eagle
SECOND PLACE:
Enid News & Eagle
“Taxi Crackdown” THIRD PLACE:
SPORTS COVERAGE
Emma Keith The Norman Transcript
FIRST PLACE:
The Norman Transcript
“Professor brings survivors’ stories to campus with #MeToo event”
SECOND PLACE:
Enid News & Eagle
LAYOUT & DESIGN
THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
The Lawton Constitution
The Lawton Constitution
FEATURE STORY FIRST PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Gary Reddin The Lawton Constitution
The Journal Record THIRD PLACE:
“Icarus ain’t got nothing on us”
The Norman Transcript
SECOND PLACE:
James Neal Enid News & Eagle
“A harvest of joy: Teacher finds blessings in breast cancer”
SALES PROMOTION
THIRD PLACE:
Tim Farley The Norman Transcript
FIRST PLACE:
The Lawton Constitution
ADVERTISING
SECOND PLACE:
The Norman Transcript
FIRST PLACE:
The Journal Record SECOND PLACE:
The Lawton Constitution
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Glen Brockenbush The Lawton Constitution
“Readers’ Choice”
THIRD PLACE:
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE:
The Norman Transcript
EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE:
The Journal Record SECOND PLACE:
Enid News & Eagle THIRD PLACE:
The Lawton Constitution
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
SPORTS STORY
“125 Years of OU Football”
Enid News & Eagle
The Norman Transcript
6
“Deputy chief makes impact”
“Pet Calendar”
“Municipal Election Voters Guide” SECOND PLACE:
Enid News & Eagle “Pillar of the Plains”
“Red Dirt revival”
SECOND PLACE:
Joe Buettner The Norman Transcript
“Randle inspires Norman High” THIRD PLACE:
Chip Minty The Journal Record “Thunder fan faith put to the test”
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Scott Rains, Grace Leonhart, Kim McConnell & Mitch Meador The Lawton Constitution
Kyle Phillips The Norman Transcript
Michael Pope The Lawton Constitution
“Series on homeless population”
“House Fire”
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Mark Hancock The Journal Record
Steve Metzer The Journal Record
THIRD PLACE:
“Flight instructor guides Gov. Kevin Stitt”
“Rural hospitals recovering from neglect” THIRD PLACE:
“How the city obtained a crucial piece of Lahoma Courts for redevelopment”
“Leaping over arms”
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
“Wiener Dog Race”
Russell Ray The Journal Record
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Kyle Phillips The Norman Transcript
James Neal Enid News & Eagle
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Jeff Mullin Enid News & Eagle
“Rodeo head stomp”
Billy Hefton Enid News & Eagle
Kyle Phillips The Norman Transcript
COLUMN WRITING
Kyle Phillips The Norman Transcript
THIRD PLACE:
Mark Hancock The Journal Record “State of the State”
Mitchell Willetts Enid News & Eagle
“Rangers Rodeo marches on”
“Graduation”
Mark Hancock The Journal Record
“More women working in construction”
FRONT PAGE DESIGN FIRST PLACE:
Bryan Richter The Journal Record “Taking another shot” SECOND PLACE:
Joe Malan Enid News & Eagle THIRD PLACE:
Caleb Slinkard The Norman Transcript
SMALL SPACE AD FIRST PLACE:
Kayla Durham The Lawton Constitution “Culligan Water”
SECOND PLACE:
Kayla Durham The Lawton Constitution
“Wooden Nickel at Edward’s” THIRD PLACE:
Advertising Staff Enid News & Eagle
“Hedges - We’re all ears”
LARGE SPACE AD FIRST PLACE:
Laura Watts The Journal Record “Wanted: Dead or Alive - Oklahoma History Center” SECOND PLACE:
Laura Watts The Journal Record
“Kilgen Organ Recital - Oklahoma History Center” THIRD PLACE:
Shelly Sanderson The Journal Record
“Clemens Aviation now operating out of OKC”
FIRST PLACE, FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY: KYLE PHILLIPS, THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
7
2019 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 2 RESULTS, DAILIES, CIRC. OF 3,000 - 6,200 NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Muskogee Phoenix
FIRST PLACE:
Stillwater News Press
SECOND PLACE:
The Shawnee News-Star
Michelle Charles Stillwater News Press
“Flood claims life in Perkins; rescue crews busy as water rises”
SECOND PLACE:
The Ada News
THIRD PLACE:
The Ardmoreite
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
The Ardmoreite
Kim Morava The Shawnee News-Star
SPORTS COVERAGE
“Jury chooses death penalty”
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Carl Lewis & Eric Swanson The Ada News
Stillwater News Press The Shawnee News-Star
LAYOUT & DESIGN
“City fields questions on Irving Center meals”
THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
The Ada News
The Ardmoreite SECOND PLACE:
FEATURE STORY
Stillwater News Press
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Drew Butler The Ardmoreite
The Shawnee News-Star
“Making the most of life” SECOND PLACE:
SALES PROMOTION
Ashlynd Huffman The Ada News
FIRST PLACE:
“Mama T’s: Creating success stories”
The Ardmoreite “Best of the Best”
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
The Shawnee News-Star
ADVERTISING
“Best of the Best”
FIRST PLACE:
Stillwater News Press
SECOND PLACE:
“Stillwater Guide & Annual Progress Forecast”
Stillwater News Press THIRD PLACE:
The Shawnee News-Star
“Controlled accident, calculated mistake”
THIRD PLACE:
The Ardmoreite
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE:
The Ardmoreite
“Recognition of law enforcement, nurses, teachers, fire fighters and student athletes” SECOND PLACE:
The Shawnee News-Star “Best of Preps”
EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE:
The Shawnee News-Star SECOND PLACE:
The Ardmoreite THIRD PLACE:
Muskogee Phoenix
8
Elisabeth Slay The Shawnee News-Star
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
THIRD PLACE:
Stillwater News Press “Stillwater Medical Center Foundation partnership”
SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE:
Jason Elmquist Stillwater News Press “A Dream Come True” SECOND PLACE:
Jeff Cali The Ada News
“Morrison wins third straight noodling title” THIRD PLACE:
Jordan Bishop Stillwater News Press “Hidden Gem”
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH
FIRST PLACE:
Elisabeth Slay The Shawnee News-Star
Jordan Bishop Stillwater News Press
“Shawnee animal rescues and shelter struggle with the growing animal population” SECOND PLACE:
“Home run rob” FIRST PLACE:
Richard Barron The Ada News
SECOND PLACE:
Jason Elmquist Stillwater News Press
“Injury accident diverts traffic”
Chesley Oxendine & D.E. Smoot Muskogee Phoenix
SECOND PLACE:
“Dru Brown leaps over an Oklahoma defender”
Jason Elmquist Stillwater News Press
“Flooding”
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Jason Elmquist Stillwater News Press
“Seth Green tubing”
Michael Smith The Ardmoreite
THIRD PLACE:
“Pawnee junior linebacker puts pressure on a Mangum quarterback”
Megan Howell Perry Daily Journal
“Feeding the future”
“Santa at the Library”
COLUMN WRITING FIRST PLACE:
Jeff Cali The Ada News
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH
FRONT PAGE DESIGN FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Tanner Holubar Stillwater News Press
Michelle Charles Stillwater News Press
“Skeeter Trouble”
SECOND PLACE:
“Memorial Day in Stillwater - Like Grandpa”
SECOND PLACE:
Richard Barron The Ada News
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
FIRST PLACE:
Tina Bridenstine The Shawnee News-Star
SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Jason Elmquist Stillwater News Press
Jordan Bishop Stillwater News Press
THIRD PLACE:
“Holy disappearing act, Batman”
“Bikers bow their heads in prayer”
THIRD PLACE:
Gay Ketchum The Shawnee News-Star
Richard Barron The Ada News
“Cougars host USA Theme Night”
“Earlsboro teacher wins award”
(ABOVE) FIRST PLACE PHOTOGRAPHY: STILLWATER NEWS PRESS (LEFT) FIRST PLACE, SALES PROMOTION, THE ARDMOREITE
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
9
2019 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 3 RESULTS, DAILIES, CIRC. OF LESS THAN 3,000 NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Tahlequah Daily Press
FIRST PLACE:
Tahlequah Daily Press
McAlester News-Capital
James Beaty, Derrick James & Kevin Harvison McAlester News-Capital
Woodward News
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
The Duncan Banner
McAlester News-Capital
SECOND PLACE:
SPORTS COVERAGE FIRST PLACE:
McAlester News-Capital
LAYOUT & DESIGN
“This was her place” THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Dawnita Fogleman Woodward News
Tahlequah Daily Press
FIRST PLACE:
Sarah Nishimuta Woodward News
SECOND PLACE:
Claremore Daily Progress
“County commissioner under investigation by police”
“Area residents survive close call from large tornado”
FEATURE STORY
McAlester News-Capital SECOND PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Adrian O’Hanlon III & Kelci McKendrick McAlester News-Capital
Tahlequah Daily Press Claremore Daily Progress
“Tedesco strong: McAlester child prepares for heart surgery”
SALES PROMOTION
SECOND PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Kayleigh J.T. Harrison Claremore Daily Progress
Tahlequah Daily Press “Newcomers Guide” SECOND PLACE:
“The American Dream: An immigration story in Claremore”
McAlester News-Capital
ADVERTISING
“2019 Football Preview”
FIRST PLACE:
McAlester News-Capital
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
“Gridiron 2019”
Sheri Gourd Tahlequah Daily Press
The Duncan Banner
SECOND PLACE:
Claremore Daily Progress THIRD PLACE:
Tahlequah Daily Press
“Bevy of blueberries”
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE:
McAlester News-Capital “Helping Neighbors”
SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE:
Johnny McMahan Woodward News
“Boomers have upgraded helmets, Guardian Caps” SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE:
The Duncan Banner SECOND PLACE:
Claremore Daily Progress “Project FreePeriod” THIRD PLACE:
Woodward News
“Pioneering Women of Industry”
Claremore Daily Progress THIRD PLACE:
Tahlequah Daily Press
10
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
Kevin Green Claremore Daily Progress
“Baseball Medium: Curse of the Bat” THIRD PLACE:
Kevin Green Claremore Daily Progress
“Practice on Thanksgiving Day”
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
LARGE SPACE AD
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH FIRST PLACE:
(COMBINED WITH SEMI-WEEKLIES)
Byron Beers Tahlequah Daily Press
FIRST PLACE:
Lyndsay Bayne El Reno Tribune
FIRST PLACE:
“Blake Corn”
“The Grass Station”
Derrick James McAlester News-Capital
SECOND PLACE:
“Trooper-involved fatal shooting of Mark Schoggins” SECOND PLACE:
William Kujawa Claremore Daily Progress
SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Kevin Harvison McAlester News-Capital
Adrian O’Hanlon III, James Beaty, Derrick James & Kevin Harvison McAlester News-Capital
“City of Claremore”
THIRD PLACE:
“American National Bank”
“Track meet at McAlester”
Stacey Neal Durant Democrat
“Tornado strikes Haileyville”
Kevin Green Claremore Daily Progress
“A worthwhile journey, Sisterhood softball”
“Bye bye birdie”
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH FIRST PLACE:
COLUMN WRITING
Johnny McMahan Woodward News
(COMBINED WITH SEMI-WEEKLIES)
“Woodward firefighters battle blaze” SECOND PLACE:
Linda Provost The Duncan Banner “Firefighter”
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Linda Provost The Duncan Banner
Kevin Harvison McAlester News-Capital
SECOND PLACE:
Kim Poindexter Tahlequah Daily Press THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Kevin Green Claremore Daily Progress
“Parent’s Club Manager”
FRONT PAGE DESIGN FIRST PLACE:
Dawnyal Hill McAlester News-Capital
“Halloween edition 2019” SECOND PLACE:
Grant Crawford Tahlequah Daily Press “Rockin’ Reggae” THIRD PLACE:
Dawnyal Hill McAlester News-Capital
“Pink Ribbon Luncheon”
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH FIRST PLACE:
Lance Moler The Edmond Sun
Grant Crawford Tahlequah Daily Press
SMALL SPACE AD
“Rider is consoled after Trail of Tears bike ride”
(COMBINED WITH SEMI-WEEKLIES) SECOND PLACE:
Grant Crawford Tahlequah Daily Press “Back to the roots THIRD PLACE:
Sarah Nishimuta Woodward News “Fun in the Sun” FIRST PLACE:
Jana Banta McAlester News-Capital
“Alamo Liquor Holiday Spirits Sale” SECOND PLACE:
Reina Owens McAlester News-Capital
“McAlester Country Club” THIRD PLACE:
Connie Poole McAlester News-Capital “Diabetic class”
FIRST PLACE, SALES PROMOTION: TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
11
2019 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST SEMI- AND TRI-WEEKLY RESULTS NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
FIRST PLACE:
NEWS STORY FIRST PLACE:
The Edmond Sun
FIRST PLACE: Rick Carpenter
El Reno Tribune
SECOND PLACE:
The Altus Times
SECOND PLACE:
Sequoyah County Times
“Tornado destroys Mangum homes, school facilities”
Pauls Valley Democrat
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Okmulgee Times
Sequoyah County Times
SECOND PLACE:
James Coburn The Edmond Sun
“Police, family discuss police shootings” THIRD PLACE:
SPORTS COVERAGE
Ray Dyer El Reno Tribune
FIRST PLACE:
“Halliburton cuts 808”
Sequoyah County Times
LAYOUT & DESIGN
SECOND PLACE:
Okmulgee Times
FIRST PLACE:
Henryetta Free-Lance
THIRD PLACE:
FEATURE STORY
El Reno Tribune
SECOND PLACE:
Sequoyah County Times THIRD PLACE:
Durant Democrat FIRST PLACE:
Jessie Brydges Okmulgee Times
SALES PROMOTION FIRST PLACE:
ADVERTISING
The Edmond Sun
“Summer Entertainment Guide”
FIRST PLACE:
The Edmond Sun
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Sequoyah County Times
El Reno Tribune
“Women’s Expo”
THIRD PLACE:
“Sugar Sweet”
SECOND PLACE:
James Coburn The Edmond Sun
“Street of Forgotten Dreams” THIRD PLACE:
Jessica Lane The Express-Star (Chickasha)
“Elvis tribute artist to perform in Chickasha”
THIRD PLACE:
Okmulgee Times
Okmulgee Times “Treasure Hunt”
SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE:
Kevin Farr Durant Democrat
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE:
The Edmond Sun
EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE:
El Reno Tribune SECOND PLACE:
Durant Democrat THIRD PLACE:
Sequoyah County Times
12
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
“Samaritan Fund Drive” SECOND PLACE:
Sequoyah County Times
“Silo makes history with third consecutive crown” SECOND PLACE:
Kevin Farr Durant Democrat
“Lady Lions claim Class 5A state golf title”
“Retirement Fair”
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Glen Miller El Reno Tribune
El Reno Tribune
“Re-dedication of Memorial Stadium”
“Making up for lost time”
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
LARGE SPACE AD
FIRST PLACE:
Shane Smith El Reno Tribune
James Coburn The Edmond Sun THIRD PLACE:
Krystle Taylor Hugo News
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Drew Harmon The Edmond Sun
“City of Claremore”
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Mike Arie Pauls Valley Democrat
FRONT PAGE DESIGN FIRST PLACE:
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH Glen Miller El Reno Tribune
“Two women hug during tornado clean-up”
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Lance Moler The Edmond Sun
“Hurdler”
“American National Bank”
FIRST PLACE:
Kim Poindexter Tahlequah Daily Press
“Moore stonewalls Santa Fe”
Stacey Neal Durant Democrat
“Police shoot children”
SECOND PLACE:
“Battle at the Brick”
“The Grass Station”
William Kujawa Claremore Daily Progress
“Isaiah Lewis coverage”
Linda Provost The Duncan Banner
Glen Miller El Reno Tribune
Lyndsay Bayne El Reno Tribune
SECOND PLACE:
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 3)
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
“Re-dedication of Memorial Stadium”
COLUMN WRITING
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 3)
Glen Miller, Ray Dyer, Shane Smith & Lyndsay Bayne El Reno Tribune SECOND PLACE:
Kari Tompkins The Edmond Sun THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Glen Miller, Lyndsay Bayne, Ray Dyer & Shane Smith El Reno Tribune
Shane Smith El Reno Tribune
“EF 3 tornado hits El Reno” THIRD PLACE:
Glen Miller El Reno Tribune
“Truck fire, cooling energy drinks”
SMALL SPACE AD (COMBINED WITH DIVISION 3)
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH FIRST PLACE:
Rick Carpenter The Altus Times
“Flipping for football” SECOND PLACE:
Rick Carpenter The Altus Times “Good sportsmanship” FIRST PLACE:
Jana Banta McAlester News-Capital
THIRD PLACE:
Mike Arie Pauls Valley Democrat “Talking to Santa”
“Alamo Liquor Holiday Spirits Sale” SECOND PLACE:
Reina Owens McAlester News-Capital
“McAlester Country Club” THIRD PLACE:
Connie Poole McAlester News-Capital “Diabetic class”
FIRST PLACE, NEWS PHOTOGRAPH: GLEN MILLER, EL RENO TRIBUNE
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
13
2019 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 4 RESULTS, WEEKLIES, CIRC. OF MORE THAN 1,600 NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Lisa Carroll The Chronicle
The Purcell Register
The Chronicle
Stigler News-Sentinel
“It’s the Law”
Choctaw Times
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Mustang Times
Darrell Neale The Stilwell Democrat Journal
The Lincoln County News
“Johnson pleads guilty in murder of wife”
SPORTS COVERAGE
THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Joani Hartin Marietta Monitor
The Purcell Register
LAYOUT & DESIGN
SECOND PLACE:
“Denton murder suspect apprehended in Love County”
OKC Friday
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
The Purcell Register
The Eufaula Indian Journal
SECOND PLACE:
OKC Friday
FEATURE STORY
THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
(Elgin)
Debi DeSilver The Chronicle
The Chronicle
“Johnny Bench: ‘Catch every ball’” SECOND PLACE:
SALES PROMOTION
Tom Lokey Johnston County Sentinel
FIRST PLACE:
The Eufaula Indian Journal
ADVERTISING FIRST PLACE:
“Man, 119, suffers dehydration at Shelton concert”
“Focus”
The Purcell Register
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Mustang Times
The Eufaula Indian Journal
“Mustang’s 50th Anniversary”
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Stigler News-Sentinel
OKC Friday
“Advantage”
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP EDITORIAL WRITING
FIRST PLACE:
The Purcell Register
THIRD PLACE:
Keith Neal The Stilwell Democrat Journal
“46 Stilwell residents died from the flu 100 years ago”
SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE:
Rebecca Carroll Marietta Monitor
“Turner athletes gear up for great season with special help”
FIRST PLACE:
“Sales tax passage”
SECOND PLACE:
Choctaw Times
SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Shonda Little The Beckham County Record
Johnston County Sentinel OKC Friday
THIRD PLACE:
Mustang Times
SECOND PLACE:
“Holiday food drive”
Stigler News-Sentinel “Angel tree”
“PeeWee Champs” THIRD PLACE:
Sheryl Ponce The Beckham County Record “Pigeon racing”
14
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
LARGE SPACE AD
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Mike W. Ray The Chronicle
JJ Francais The Chronicle
Rose Cummings The Beckham County Record
“Cotton County Sheriff resigns”
“Pizza Corral: Holly Jolly Pizza”
SECOND PLACE:
John Small Johnston County Sentinel
SECOND PLACE:
Brad Spitzer The Beckham County Record
THIRD PLACE:
Tatiana Ryland Watonga Republican
THIRD PLACE:
Shonda Little The Beckham County Record “Varnell Trial”
SECOND PLACE:
Ron Vavak OKC Friday
“Oklahoma Senior Follies”
“Stepp West Controversy”
“Easter Blessings from Senator Darcy Jech”
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Troy Littledeer The Stilwell Democrat Journal
Brian Blansett The Lincoln County News
“Herd of horses interrupts 5K run”
SECOND PLACE:
Connie Burcham Watonga Republican THIRD PLACE:
Charles White The Madill Record
SECOND PLACE:
Chelsea Weeks The Lincoln County News “Shopping with a cop”
THIRD PLACE:
Rose Cummings The Beckham County Record
FRONT PAGE DESIGN FIRST PLACE:
Tatiana Ryland Watonga Republican SECOND PLACE:
Keith Neale, Darrell Neale & Betty Neale The Stilwell Democrat Journal THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Sheryl Ponce The Beckham County Record
Lisa Carroll The Chronicle
SMALL SPACE AD
“Senior at Western Equipment Classic”
“Kobi Casebeer Wrestling”
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH (COMBINED WITH DIVISION 5)
COLUMN WRITING
“ECHS Boys Basketball”
“Medical helicopters at wreck”
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
JJ Francais The Chronicle
“Scott’s House of Flowers: Merry Christmas” SECOND PLACE:
Lisa Carroll The Chronicle “Dog Days”
SECOND PLACE:
LaGayla Eakle Stigler News-Sentinel
Debi DeSilver The Chronicle
“Sockey Agency”
“Iced plant next to pole”
THIRD PLACE:
Tatiana Ryland Watonga Republican
THIRD PLACE:
“McCrary Veterinary Hospital: Happy Thanksgiving”
Debi DeSilver The Chronicle
“Tree reflection in lake”
FIRST PLACE, NEWS PHOTOGRAPH: TROY LITTLEDEAR, THE STILWELL DEMOCRAT JOURNAL
FIRST PLACE, NEWS CONTENT, THE PURCELL REGISTER
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
15
2019 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 5 RESULTS, WEEKLIES, CIRC. OF 1,050 - 1,600 NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
Midwest City Beacon
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Bob Henline The Cordell Beacon
Countywide & Sun
SECOND PLACE:
Countywide & Sun THIRD PLACE:
Heavener Ledger
THIRD PLACE:
Owasso Reporter
SPORTS COVERAGE FIRST PLACE:
Owasso Reporter SECOND PLACE:
Midwest City Beacon THIRD PLACE:
LAYOUT & DESIGN
McIntosh County Democrat
FIRST PLACE:
Owasso Reporter
SECOND PLACE:
Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard The Marlow Review
“A beautiful day for everyone” THIRD PLACE:
Art Haddaway Owasso Reporter
“E-cigs in school: OHS holds first vaping forum”
FEATURE STORY FIRST PLACE:
Art Haddaway Owasso Reporter
SECOND PLACE:
“Evan’s impact: Owasso mother hopes son’s death helps save lives”
Countywide & Sun THIRD PLACE:
McIntosh County Democrat
SECOND PLACE:
Virginia Bradshaw Countywide & Sun
“Clean up continues on illegal dump sites”
SALES PROMOTION
THIRD PLACE:
Bob Henline The Cordell Beacon
FIRST PLACE:
McIntosh County Democrat
ADVERTISING
“Burnin’ Down the House: Local fire departments perform joint training”
“Gridiron Guide”
SECOND PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Midwest City Beacon
Countywide & Sun
“Oklahoma Festival Guide”
SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Midwest City Beacon
Owasso Reporter
THIRD PLACE:
“Ready to Rumble Football Preview”
Owasso Reporter
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE:
Countywide & Sun
“Tornado Preparedness Guide”
EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE:
Countywide & Sun SECOND PLACE:
The Cordell Beacon THIRD PLACE:
Vian Tenkiller News
16
“Parents look for answers in wake of student assault”
Midwest City Beacon
(Tecumseh)
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
SECOND PLACE:
McIntosh County Democrat
“Gold Star Luminary Initiative” THIRD PLACE:
Vian Tenkiller News
“God’s Blessings Clothes Closet; Ruby’s Card Ministry”
SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE:
Craig Hall Heavener Ledger
“Heavener graduate runs in Arkansas Traveller 100” SECOND PLACE:
Shawn Hein Owasso Reporter
“Auntie’s Tribute: Emotional letter to late aunt after state game” THIRD PLACE:
Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon
“Lady Titans show resolve on final day of state meet”
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
LARGE SPACE AD
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 6)
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
FIRST PLACE:
Jennifer Pitts Countywide & Sun
FIRST PLACE:
Suzie Campbell Countywide & Sun
“Vote Yes - 12 million plus bond issue”
“Conflict between Shawnee and the Expo Trust”
SECOND PLACE:
Bristow News
SECOND PLACE:
“Rick Nelson Remembered”
Lori Cooper The Carnegie Herald
Bristow News
“Will the bond issue pass?” THIRD PLACE:
Bob Henline The Cordell Beacon
THIRD PLACE:
“Mainer Ford”
Suzie Campbell Countywide & Sun
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH (COMBINED WITH DIVISION 4)
FIRST PLACE:
Troy Littledeer The Stilwell Democrat Journal
“Ward 4 candidate may be ineligible”
“Herd of horses interrupts 5K run”
COLUMN WRITING FIRST PLACE:
Bob Henline The Cordell Beacon SECOND PLACE:
Patti Poteete Countywide & Sun THIRD PLACE:
LaDonna Rhodes McIntosh County Democrat
SECOND PLACE:
Chelsea Weeks The Lincoln County News “Shopping with a cop”
FIRST PLACE:
“Lady Wildcat and Lady Pirates collide in the I-40 Showdown” SECOND PLACE:
Bob Henline The Cordell Beacon
“Blue Devils fall on road at Watonga” THIRD PLACE:
Bob Henline The Cordell Beacon
“Brady Reimer slides into third”
FRONT PAGE DESIGN
THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Lisa Carroll The Chronicle
Melanie Allen Owasso Reporter
“Medical helicopters at wreck”
“Champs!”
SECOND PLACE:
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH
Jacob Factor McIntosh County Democrat THIRD PLACE:
Bristow News
SMALL SPACE AD FIRST PLACE:
Jennifer Pitts Countywide & Sun “CBD”
SECOND PLACE:
Jennifer Pitts Countywide & Sun “Virginia’s Home Furnishings” THIRD PLACE:
Jennifer Pitts Countywide & Sun
“Santa Fe Depot”
FIRST PLACE:
Jennifer Pitts Countywide & Sun
“Little girl on the carousel chicken” SECOND PLACE:
Suzie Campbell Countywide & Sun “Flag Retirement” THIRD PLACE:
Jacob Factor Countywide & Sun “Max Mathis competes in the steer wrestling competition”
FIRST PLACE, SALES PROMOTION: McINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
17
2019 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 6 RESULTS, WEEKLIES, CIRC. OF 725 - 1,049 NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Wagoner County American-Tribune
FIRST PLACE:
The Carnegie Herald
SECOND PLACE:
Carey Head The Fairfax Chief
“Preserving the prairie for 30 years”
SECOND PLACE:
The Comanche Times
Stroud American
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
The Fairfax Chief
SECOND PLACE:
Carol Conner The Fairfax Chief
Wagoner County American-Tribune
“Big Hill collapses” THIRD PLACE:
SPORTS COVERAGE
Kindra Coffman Stroud American
FIRST PLACE:
Wagoner County American-Tribune
“The Naked Truth: streaking in Stroud”
SECOND PLACE:
LAYOUT & DESIGN
The Carnegie Herald
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Wagoner County American-Tribune
FEATURE STORY FIRST PLACE:
Stroud American
Christy Wheeland Wagoner County American-Tribune
SECOND PLACE:
The Carnegie Herald
“Lindsay’s Heart”
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Eastern Times-Register
Todd Brooks The Comanche Times
(Roland)
“Gordon qualifies for nationals” THIRD PLACE:
Carol Conner The Fairfax Chief
SALES PROMOTION
“Diverse Scouts honor past”
FIRST PLACE:
The Carnegie Herald
ADVERTISING
“Sports Sponsorship” SECOND PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Wagoner County American-Tribune
Wagoner County American-Tribune
“Coweta Fall Festival”
SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
The Carnegie Herald
Eastern Times-Register
THIRD PLACE:
Eastern Times-Register
“School Tabs”
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE:
The Carnegie Herald “Wildcat Turkey Trot”
EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE:
Wagoner County American-Tribune SECOND PLACE:
The Fairfax Chief
18
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
SECOND PLACE:
Wagoner County American-Tribune “Pet Pantry”
THIRD PLACE:
Eastern Times-Register “Ahimsa Rescue - Dogs for Adoption”
SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE:
Todd Brooks The Comanche Times “A dose of Dossey” SECOND PLACE:
Christy Wheeland Wagoner County American-Tribune
“Coweta baseball legends honored” THIRD PLACE:
Todd Brooks The Comanche Times “Indians kick way to first win”
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 5)
FIRST PLACE:
Donald Cooper The Carnegie Herald
FIRST PLACE:
Suzie Campbell Countywide & Sun
“Head-first slide”
“Conflict between Shawnee and the Expo Trust”
SECOND PLACE:
Lori Cooper The Carnegie Herald
“Will the bond issue pass?” THIRD PLACE:
Bob Henline The Cordell Beacon
“Ward 4 candidate may be ineligible”
FIRST PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Chelsea Weeks Stroud American
Donald Cooper The Carnegie Herald
“Sac & Fox Nation PowWow”
“Basketball Christian Pewo”
SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Carol Conner The Fairfax Chief
Teresa Bledsoe The Fairfax Chief
“Cattle congregate on high ground”
“Woodland swamps Sayre”
THIRD PLACE:
Christy Wheeland Wagoner County American-Tribune “Raging inferno”
FRONT PAGE DESIGN FIRST PLACE:
COLUMN WRITING
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Amie Remer Eastern Times-Register
Brian Blansett Stroud American “Oreo on Forehead”
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Jyl Hobbs Mountain View News
Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief
THIRD PLACE:
John Ferguson Wagoner County American-Tribune
“Super Blood Wolf Moon Lunar Eclipse”
Lori Cooper & Donald Cooper The Carnegie Herald “Helicopter delivers ball” SECOND PLACE:
Melanie Allen Wagoner County American-Tribune “Lindsay’s Heart” THIRD PLACE:
Lori Cooper The Carnegie Herald “Dance on River Bridge”
THIRD PLACE:
Christy Wheeland Wagoner County American-Tribune
SMALL SPACE AD FIRST PLACE:
“Decade of Domination”
Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief “Closet of Hope” SECOND PLACE:
Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief
“Family Worship Center of Ralston” THIRD PLACE:
Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief
“Muffins for Summer”
LARGE SPACE AD FIRST PLACE:
Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief “Blue Sky Bank”
SECOND PLACE:
Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief “D&P Tank Service” THIRD PLACE:
Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief
“Sweet Summer Sips”
FIRST PLACE, NEWS PHOTOGRAPH: CHELSEA WEEKS, STROUD AMERICAN
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
19
2019 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 7 RESULTS, WEEKLIES, CIRC. OF LESS THAN 725 NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Lindsey Chastain Skiatook Journal
The Newcastle Pacer
“Skiatook Floods”
Tri-County Herald (Meeker)
SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Tami Adams The Thomas Tribune
The Westville Reporter
FIRST PLACE:
“Weather complicates harvest, yet results in good yields”
Tri-County Herald SECOND PLACE:
The Dewey County Record
THIRD PLACE:
Lindsey Chastain Skiatook Journal
SPORTS COVERAGE
“Old Skiatook High School comes down”
FIRST PLACE:
LAYOUT & DESIGN
Tri-County Herald
FIRST PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
The Newcastle Pacer
The Dewey County Record
SECOND PLACE:
Tri-County Herald
FEATURE STORY FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Todd Newville The Newcastle Pacer
The Thomas Tribune
“A Real Pez Head” SECOND PLACE:
Todd Newville The Newcastle Pacer
“O Brother, Where Art Thou? In No-No Heaven”
SALES PROMOTION
ADVERTISING
THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Kevin Farr The Dewey County Record
The Newcastle Pacer
The Thomas Tribune
“Pigskin Press Pass”
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Tri-County Herald
“Government students enjoy real life Mock Trial”
Tri-County Herald
THIRD PLACE:
“Congratulations to North Rock Creek”
The Newcastle Pacer
SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE:
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE:
Tri-County Herald
EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE:
Tri-County Herald SECOND PLACE:
The Thomas Tribune
“Teacher of the Week”
Kevin Farr The Dewey County Record “Lady Cats win record 4th straight state title” SECOND PLACE:
Kevin Farr The Dewey County Record
“The greatest girls team ever?” THIRD PLACE:
Brian Blansett Tri-County Herald “State champs, runnerup”
20
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Connie Burcham The Geary Star
Tim Billy The Thomas Tribune
“School Bond Issue”
“Starting the Fun Run with a starting gun”
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Lindsey Chastain Skiatook Journal
Tim Billy The Thomas Tribune
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
“Player looking back at goal line as ball breaks plane”
Connie Burcham The Hinton Record
Ariana Parkinson The Thomas Tribune
“Country Corner Fire Department Investigation”
“2019 Thomas Fun Run & 5K Starting Line”
“Filming vape sensors”
“NextEra, DOD still negotiating location”
THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FRONT PAGE DESIGN
SECOND PLACE:
Tami Adams The Thomas Tribune
FIRST PLACE:
Clarence B. Wright The Newcastle Pacer
THIRD PLACE: FIRST PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Ariana Parkinson The Thomas Tribune
Tatiana Ryland The Hinton Record
SECOND PLACE:
Tatiana Ryland The Geary Star
“Searching for the pot of gold or Spring?”
SMALL SPACE AD FIRST PLACE:
Ariana Parkinson The Thomas Tribune
Brian Blansett Tri-County Herald
THIRD PLACE:
“Red, white and a little blue”
“Cowboy Up for Christ”
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Lindsey Chastain Skiatook Journal
Ariana Parkinson The Thomas Tribune
Tim Billy The Thomas Tribune
“Aden Kelley takes the ball to the goal for two points...”
Lindsey Chastain Skiatook Journal
Ellen Workman The Westville Reporter
SECOND PLACE:
Kevin Farr The Dewey County Record “Basketball celebration hug”
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH
COLUMN WRITING
Brian Blansett Tri-County Herald
“1940s photos of twins recreated”
“75th Wedding Anniversary” THIRD PLACE:
Tatiana Ryland The Geary Star
“Mother’s Day _ Love Notes and Thank You’s”
LARGE SPACE AD FIRST PLACE:
Ariana Parkinson The Thomas Tribune “Bank of the West”
SECOND PLACE:
Ariana Parkinson The Thomas Tribune “Sooner Cooperative” THIRD PLACE:
Ariana Parkinson The Thomas Tribune “KIS Futures”
FIRST PLACE, SALES PROMOTION: THE NEWCASTLE PACER
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
21
2019 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST COLLEGE NEWSPAPER RESULTS NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
The Gazette
Langston University
The Oklahoma Daily
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Northwestern News
The Gazette
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Collegian
THIRD PLACE:
(Cameron)
Paul Dower The Campus
“Senate passes resolution to suspend Kappa Sigma, Alpha Phi”
THIRD PLACE:
Collegian
Cameron University
FIRST PLACE:
‘It cannot be full consent’
SPORTS COVERAGE
LAYOUT & DESIGN
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
The Oklahoma Daily
The University of Oklahoma
SECOND PLACE:
The Oklahoma Daily
Collegian
SECOND PLACE: Collegian (Cameron)
(Cameron) THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Jana Allen & Emma Davis The Oklahoma Daily THIRD PLACE:
Madison Connell Collegian University of Tulsa “TU Copy closed due to third-party budget restrictions”
FEATURE STORY
The Gazette
Northwestern News
FIRST PLACE:
Blake Douglas The Oklahoma Daily “Fighting for OU community”
SALES PROMOTION
SECOND PLACE:
Haley Humphrey The Vista
FIRST PLACE:
ADVERTISING
The Oklahoma Daily
FIRST PLACE:
The Oklahoma Daily
University of Central Oklahoma “The canine medication that beat small cell lung cancer”
“OU-Texas Special Section”
THIRD PLACE:
Abigail Hall The Oklahoma Daily
“OKC rapper Jabee tells his story”
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
“Diversity and inclusion efforts”
Hallie Hart The O’Colly
The Oklahoma Daily
EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE:
The Oklahoma Daily SECOND PLACE:
The Campus Oklahoma City University
THIRD PLACE:
Northwestern News
22
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
SPORTS STORY
Oklahoma State University “Pitch Man: The Million Dollar Meeting” SECOND PLACE:
Hallie Hart The O’Colly
“A new beginning” THIRD PLACE:
George Stoia The Oklahoma Daily “OU to send off ultimate senior”
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
FIRST PLACE:
Staff The Oklahoma Daily
“Coverage of diversity and inclusion at OU” SECOND PLACE:
Sean Doherty, Ashley Watts & Michelle Willson Northwestern News
FIRST PLACE:
Paxson Haws The Oklahoma Daily
FIRST PLACE:
“Marijuana and its impact”
“Gymnastics trainer cries for deceased husband”
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
“Basketball from catwalk”
Caitlyn Pray, Capri Gahr & Megan Brown Northwestern News
Caitlyn Epes The Oklahoma Daily
“Oklahoma public education faces the challenges”
“Tape on mouth” THIRD PLACE:
Tanner Laws The Vista
“Untested rape kits”
COLUMN WRITING
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH
Caitlyn Epes The Oklahoma Daily SECOND PLACE:
Tanner Laws The Vista
“Nine touchdowns” THIRD PLACE:
David Perkins Collegian (Cameron)
“Cross Country takes first”
FRONT PAGE DESIGN FIRST PLACE:
Carly Orewiler The Oklahoma Daily “One step closer for Sooners”
FIRST PLACE:
Paul Dower The Campus
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Madison Connell Collegian (Univ. of Tulsa)
Jordan Green Northwestern News
THIRD PLACE:
“Hitting the breaking point”
Hope Melton The Campus
SECOND PLACE:
Jackson Stewart The Oklahoma Daily
SMALL SPACE AD
Emma Palmer Collegian (Univ. of Tulsa) “Faculty vote” THIRD PLACE:
Drue Watkins Collegian (Cameron)
“University Awards”
“Bar time lapse” FIRST PLACE:
Austin Childers The Oklahoma Daily
“Oklahoma Tickets”
THIRD PLACE:
Kimberly Thompson The Gazette
“LU celebrates annual International Day”
LARGE SPACE AD FIRST PLACE:
Austin Childers The Oklahoma Daily “University Liquor”
FIRST PLACE, SALES PROMOTION: THE OKLAHOMA DAILY
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
23
ADDITIONAL AWARDS 2019 ONG EDITORIAL SWEEPSTAKES WINNER
2019 ONG COLUMN SWEEPSTAKES WINNER
KIM POINDEXTER
JADEN JENNINGS
Despicable swastika still freedom of expression April 2019
The night depression didn’t win May 2019
2019 OGE DAILY PHOTO OF THE YEAR
2019 OGE WEEKLY PHOTO OF THE YEAR
BILLY HEFTON
CHUCK REHERMAN
Tahlequah Daily Press
Enid News & Eagle
Girl shows her Duroc pig at a livestock show March 2019
24
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
Tri-County Herald
Yukon Progress
Laying the lasso in perfect timing in a breakaway roping competition August 2019
ADDITIONAL AWARDS 2019 JOSEPH H. EDWARDS OUTDOOR WRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD
2019 RAY LOKEY MEMORIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN REPORTING
MICHAEL CLEMENTS
KELLY BOSTIAN
Durant Democrat
Tulsa World
2019 DIGITAL MEDIA AWARDS DAILY DIVISION
WEEKLY DIVISION
COLLEGE DIVISION
FIRST PLACE
FIRST PLACE
FIRST PLACE
THE JOURNAL RECORD
JOHNSTON COUNTY SENTINEL
SECOND PLACE
SECOND PLACE
THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT
THE PURCELL REGISTER
THIRD PLACE
THIRD PLACE
SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR
THE OKLAHOMA DAILY University of Oklahoma
STIGLER NEWS-SENTINEL
2019 OPA MAGAZINE CONTEST FIRST PLACE
THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT SECOND PLACE
THE LAWTON CONSTITUTION THIRD PLACE
THE DUNCAN BANNER OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
25
2019 OPA PERFECTA
AWARD WINNERS The Perfecta Award honors OPA member newspapers that achieve 100 percent accuracy on advertising orders from Oklahoma Press Service in the previous year.
Alva Review-Courier The Apache News The Ardmoreite Atoka County Times Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise The (Beaver) Herald-Democrat Blackwell Journal-Tribune Broken Bow News Buffalo Weekly News The Carnegie Herald The Chelsea Reporter Clayton Today The Cleveland American The Cyril News Drumright Gusher The (Eakly) Country Connection News The Elk City News Enid News & Eagle Frederick Press-Leader Garber-Billings News Garfield County Daily Legal News Garvin County News Star The Geary Star The Healdton Herald Henryetta Free-Lance Holdenville News The Hominy News-Progress Inola Independent Johnston County Sentinel
Kiowa County Democrat Latimer County News-Tribune The Lindsay News The Lone Grove Ledger Mangum Star The Marlow Review Midwest City Beacon The Mooreland Leader Mustang News Mustang Times The Newkirk Herald Journal Okemah News Leader OKC Friday The (OKC) Black Chronicle The Oklahoman Pauls Valley Democrat Pawhuska Journal-Capital The Perkins Journal Perry Journal The Prague Times-Herald The Purcell Register The Ringling Eagle (Roland) Eastern Times-Register The Shawnee News-Star Spiro Graphic The Stilwell Democrat Journal Sulphur Times-Democrat Talihina American The (Tecumseh) Countywide & Sun The Tonkawa News
Tulsa Beacon Tulsa World The Tuttle Times The Valliant Leader The Vici Vision Wagoner County American-Tribune Weatherford Daily News The Wewoka Times The Wilson Post-Democrat Yale News
Congratulations to the Perfecta Award Winners 26
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
26
O K L A H O M A P R E S S A S S O C I AT I O N
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