OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
AWARD WINNERS P R E S E N T E D AT T H E O PA C O N V E N T I O N – J U N E 8 , 2 0 1 9
Honoring Oklahoma Journalists since 1971
Congratulations on your excellent journalism and leadership serving the citizens of Oklahoma. We’re grateful for all you do. Thank You.
Dedicated to Education and Excellence in Journalism
TABLE OF CONTENTS MILT PHILLIPS AWARD, Presented to Rod Serfoss ................................................................ Page 2 ONF BEACHY MUSSELMAN AWARD, Presented to Rusty Ferguson .................................... Page 2 QUARTER CENTURY CLUB Inductees ................................................................................... Page 4 BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST WINNERS Sequoyah Award Winners ............................................................................... Page 5 Division 1, Dailies, Circulation more than 6,500 ............................................. Page 6 Division 2, Dailies, Circulation 3,000 – 6,500 ................................................. Page 8 Division 3, Dailies, Circulation less than 3,000 ............................................. Page 10 Division 4, Weeklies, Circulation more than 2,000 ....................................... Page 12 Division 5, Weekies, Circulation 1,400 – 2,000 ............................................ Page 14 Division 6, Weeklies, Circulation 750 – 1,399............................................... Page 16 Division 7, Weeklies, Circulation less than 750 ............................................ Page 18 Division 8, Semi- and Tri-Weeklies ............................................................... Page 20 College Newspapers ..................................................................................... Page 22 ADDITIONAL AWARDS.................................................................................................... Pages 24-25 PERFECTA AWARD WINNERS .............................................................................................. Page 27
2018-19 OPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS
DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT RAY DYER, EL RENO TRIBUNE
MIKE STRAIN, TULSA WORLD
TREASURER JEFF SHULTZ, GARVIN COUNTY NEWS STAR
JOHN DENNY MONTGOMERY, THE PURCELL REGISTER
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT MARK THOMAS, OPA PAST PRESIDENT BRIAN BLANSETT, TRI-COUNTY HERALD (MEEKER)
MARK MILLSAP, THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT ZONELLE RAINBOLT, WESNER PUBLICATIONS DON MECOY, THE OKLAHOMAN SHAUNA BELYEU, THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
1
MILT PHILLIPS AWARD WINNER
ROD SERFOSS Publisher, Clinton Daily News
This year’s recipient of the Milt Phillips Award is Rod Serfoss, publisher of the Clinton Daily News. Serfoss began his newspaper career as a paperboy for the Clinton Daily News in 1965, throwing about 130 papers a day on his route. He was named general manager of the Daily News in 1983 and served in that position for five years before leaving a three-year stint as general manager of the Sand Springs Leader.
Serfoss returned to Clinton in 1991 as associate publisher and part owner of the Daily News, and was named publisher in 2003 following the death of Charles Engleman, who served as publisher for 63 years. In an article from The Oklahoman in 2014, Serfoss said the role of the newspaper is “to be the most up-to-date history book in Clinton, protect the people of our community by exposing wrongdoers, and being the watchdog over government – a role that our Founding Fathers gave the press because they knew government couldn’t police themselves. “We are a champion for Clinton,” he continued. “There are times when we lead the way on a cause, while other times we can move our town forward by exposing things that aren’t right or need corrected. You can never fix a problem by ignoring it.” Serfoss was elected president of the Oklahoma Press Association in 2010 after serving six years on the OPA’s board of directors.
He has served on and been president of numerous boards and committees. Among his honors are being named Citizen of the Year by the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, and Lion of the Year by Clinton Noon Lions Club. Serfoss was in charge of building a children’s park in Clinton. Taking the $125,000 donated, he coordinated more than 700 volunteers who came together to build the elaborate park in only four days. Serfoss was on the founding board of the Clinton Mission House, which today provides shelter for the homeless and serves thousands of meals a year to those in need. He also headed up a group of volunteers to repair and give a face-lift to a run-down house occupied by needy people. Serfoss and his wife, Jody, have two children, daughter Amber Turney and her husband Brandon, and son Dr. Kyle Serfoss and his wife Katie, and nine living grandchildren.
ONF BEACHY MUSSELMAN AWARD WINNER
RUSTY FERGUSON Publisher, The Cleveland American
L. Rustin “Rusty” Ferguson took over the reins of The Cleveland American in 1985 after his father, Larry, was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Rusty grew up in the newspaper business. His grandfather, Jo O. Ferguson, bought The Cleveland American in 1931 and started The Pawnee Chief a few years later. The Hominy News-Progress is also published
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OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
by the Fergusons. Today, Rusty oversees all three newspapers. Rusty has always understood that being the editor of a small community newspaper meant not only reporting the news, but being an advocate and cheerleader for his community. He has long stood by his commitment to remain in the community newspaper business, even when times have been tough. Along with the hard-hitting news and reporting that has led to numerous awards and recognition, Rusty takes seriously the role of community leadership. He has led numerous initiatives through the newspaper business including the “Light a Candle for Cleveland” campaign that raised money for Cleveland’s nonprofit organizations. Rusty graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1984 and returned to Cleveland a year later with wife, Deana, to become publisher of the family newspaper.
He has served on the Oklahoma Press Association’s board of directors, including serving as President. He also served on the Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation board of trustees from 2002 to 2014. Rusty is active in his community having served as president of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce on three different occasions and currently chairs the local library’s board of directors. He also is chairman of the Hanson Educational Trust, and an elder as well as children’s director at First Christian Church in Cleveland. Today, Rusty has added another hat to his many responsibilities: teacher. He teaches U.S. History and community leadership at Cleveland Middle School as well as oversees the publishing of Cleveland High School’s student-run newspaper. Rusty is the proud father to Liberty, Lincoln, Landon and Layne and the proud grandfather to his four grandsons, Sully, Sawyer, Seth and LJ.
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
3
QUARTER CENTURY CLUB INDUCTEES
4
JUDY BAKER
KENT BUSH
Judy Baker started working at the Maysville News in February 1994. At that time, Kenneth Wood was owner and publisher of the Maysville News and Stratford Star. Judy started as a typesetter and remembers thinking, “I’ll never learn all this stuff.” She was a quick learner and a year later she began writing her popular column “Black and White and Read All Over.” In 2008, Jeff and Nanette Shultz bought the Maysville News and Stratford Star from Wood and merged both papers into the Garvin County News Star. Baker remained on the staff and continued her weekly column during the transition. “Judy’s column is one of the first articles our readers go to each week,” said News Star publisher Jeff Shultz. Judy is married to Eddie Baker and her son, Race, also works at the News Star. Judy is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma where she earned a bachelor’s degree in music education.
Kent Bush began his newspaper career as a reporter at the Chickasha Daily Express. Six months later, he was named managing editor of that publication. Bush had been the editor at the Daily Express for five years when CNHI purchased the Chickasha Star and combined the publications into the Chickasha Express-Star. He served as managing editor in Chickasha until 2007, when he moved to Augusta, Kansas, to become a publisher for GateHouse Media. He then became publisher of four newspapers in the Wichita area and served as a regional editor for more than 20 papers. In January 2015, Bush moved back to Oklahoma when he was named publisher of The Shawnee News-Star. He has won many writing and photography awards over 25 years and was named the GateHouse Media National Columnist of the Year in 2017.
VIOLET HASSLER
DAVID SEELEY
Enid News & Eagle Digital News Coordinator Violet Hassler began her career in journalism at the McAlester News Capital and Democrat in 1991. She grew up in Braman, where she attended school, and graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva, in May 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. She worked three years at the Northwestern News college newspaper and KNSU college radio station. Hassler was city reporter for the McAlester newspaper for almost two years before taking a position as education reporter with the Enid newspaper on June 1, 1993. She later worked as business reporter and then moved to the desk as a copy editor. She was named news editor in charge of the copy desk in 1999, a position she held until 2008, when she was named special projects coordinator and then digital news communications coordinator. Hassler and her husband, Kevin, have two sons, Jacob, 12, and Judah, 9. The family lives in Enid with their two dogs, Jack and Ella, and horse Piper.
David Seeley has been in the newspaper business since August 1989. Seeley began his newspaper career as a sports correspondent/stringer for the Enid News & Eagle in August 1989. He was promoted to full-time sports writer in 1993. His next assignment took him to the Moore County News Press in Dumas, Texas, where he worked from 1995 to 1997 as sports editor. He left Dumas to work at The Daily Ardmoreite for more than a decade as sports editor. Seeley also was a sports correspondent for The Ada News. Since June 2010, Seeley has served as sports editor at the Poteau Daily News.
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
2018 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST
SEQUOYAH AWARD WINNERS DIVISION 1
DIVISION 2
DIVISION 3
DIVISION 4
DIVISION 5
Dailies, Circulation more than 6,500
Dailies, Circulation 3,000 - 6,500
Dailies, Circulation less than 3,000
Weeklies, Circulation more than 2,000
Weeklies, Circulation 1,400 - 2,000
DIVISION 6
DIVISION 7
DIVISION 8
DIVISION 9
Weeklies, Circulation 750 - 1,399
Weeklies, Circulation less than 750
Semi- and TriWeeklies
College Newspapers
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.
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
5
2018 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 1 RESULTS, DAILIES, CIRC. MORE THAN 6,500 NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
The Journal Record
The Norman Transcript
(Oklahoma City)
SECOND PLACE:
Brian Brus The Journal Record
SECOND PLACE:
Enid News & Eagle
The Norman Transcript
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
The Journal Record
“Answers sought after spike in health-related jail deaths” SECOND PLACE:
Molly Fleming The Journal Record
Enid News & Eagle
“Momentous Murphy case heard by U.S. Supreme Court”
SPORTS COVERAGE
THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Cass Rains Enid News & Eagle
The Norman Transcript
LAYOUT & DESIGN
SECOND PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
“Jail death details emerge”
Enid News & Eagle
Enid News & Eagle SECOND PLACE:
FEATURE STORY
The Norman Transcript THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
The Journal Record
Adam Troxtell The Norman Transcript “Five years later: As years pass, Moore family comes to terms with storm’s impact” SECOND PLACE:
Gary Reddin The Lawton Constitution
SALES PROMOTION FIRST PLACE:
“Painting of homeless woman finds real home”
Enid News & Eagle
ADVERTISING FIRST PLACE:
“Candy Cane Cash”
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Joshua Rouse The Lawton Constitution
The Norman Transcript
The Norman Transcript
“Discover Norman City Guide”
SECOND PLACE:
“Adopted Korean orphan thankful to veteran 40 years later”
THIRD PLACE:
The Journal Record
The Journal Record
THIRD PLACE:
“2018 Tribal Economic Impact Issue”
Enid News & Eagle
SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE:
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE:
The Journal Record “No quick revival: Hospital’s sudden closure makes it harder to reopen”
EDITORIAL WRITING
Enid News & Eagle
The Norman Transcript
“Trusting News”
SECOND PLACE:
The Journal Record THIRD PLACE:
Enid News & Eagle
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SECOND PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
THIRD PLACE:
The Norman Transcript “Scamehorn reporting”
Tim Godfrey Enid News & Eagle “Accounted for: Father figures help Gray brothers after their dad’s death” SECOND PLACE:
Tyler Palmateer The Norman Transcript “One year later, a look back at the various reactions to Bob Stoops’ retirement” THIRD PLACE:
Clay Horning The Norman Transcript “Where are they now?: Shannon Enfield”
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH
FIRST PLACE:
Adam Troxtell, Caleb Slinkard & Jacob McGuire The Norman Transcript
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Michael D. Pope The Lawton Constitution
Kyle Phillips The Norman Transcript
“Breath-powered sailboats”
“Facemask violation at Big 12 Championship”
SECOND PLACE:
“OU professor emeritus Scamehorn in #MeToo saga”
Michael D. Pope The Lawton Constitution
SECOND PLACE:
“Emergency crews rescue woman from high water”
Michael D. Pope The Lawton Constitution
THIRD PLACE:
“Reserve keeper goes high”
Janelle Stecklein Enid News & Eagle
SECOND PLACE:
“Teacher walkout”
Brent Fuchs The Journal Record
THIRD PLACE:
“Peaceful warriors: Yoga classes expand at VA”
James Neal Enid News & Eagle
THIRD PLACE:
Billy Hefton Enid News & Eagle “Seiling girls win Class A title”
“60th anniversary of Enid sit-in segregation protests”
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH FRONT PAGE DESIGN
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Michael D. Pope The Lawton Constitution
Dave Ruthenberg Enid News & Eagle
“Faces at the Rangers Rodeo”
“Coming attractions”
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Jeff Mullin Enid News & Eagle
Michael D. Pope The Lawton Constitution
COLUMN WRITING
THIRD PLACE:
Grace Leonhart The Lawton Constitution
SMALL SPACE AD
Bryan Richter The Journal Record SECOND PLACE:
Joe Malan Enid News & Eagle “On ice”
“Splash pad”
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Bryan Richter The Journal Record
Bonnie Vculek Enid News & Eagle
“Use as directed”
“Mud volleyball”
FIRST PLACE:
Laura Watts The Journal Record “Naifeh Fine Jewelry” SECOND PLACE:
Rebecca Howe & Marise Boehs The Norman Transcript “Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital & Pet Resort” THIRD PLACE:
Leslie Mahan The Journal Record “You’ll say ‘Bow-Wow’ at Stone Creek!”
LARGE SPACE AD FIRST PLACE:
Jennifer Jepson The Norman Transcript “Lunch ‘n’ learn at Pioneer Hearing Aid Centers” SECOND PLACE:
Wendy Duncan The Journal Record “Holiday happenings in Midwest City” THIRD PLACE:
Laura Watts The Journal Record “Naifeh Fine Jewelry”
FIRST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY: THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
7
2018 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 2 RESULTS, DAILIES, CIRC. OF 3,000 - 6,500 NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
The Shawnee News-Star
Denton Thomason Vinita Daily Journal
SECOND PLACE:
Stillwater News Press
SECOND PLACE:
The Ardmoreite
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Muskogee Phoenix
“You want to tell me where my niece is?” SECOND PLACE:
David Bitton Stillwater News Press
Stillwater News Press
“Iranian college students struggle with day-to-day hardships of travel ban”
SPORTS COVERAGE
THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Kim Morava The Shawnee News-Star
Stillwater News Press SECOND PLACE:
LAYOUT & DESIGN
“Faith, family and forgiveness: Sentence reduced for driver in deadly crash”
The Ada News
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
SECOND PLACE:
FEATURE STORY
The Ada News
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Denton Thomason Vinita Daily Journal
Stillwater News Press
“Walk by faith” SECOND PLACE:
Denton Thomason Vinita Daily Journal
SALES PROMOTION
“Say thank you”
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
The Shawnee News-Star
Vicky O. Misa The Shawnee News-Star
“Firefighters of the Year”
ADVERTISING FIRST PLACE:
“Bridal Showcase”
Stillwater News Press
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
The Ada News
Muskogee Phoenix
“Farm Show”
THIRD PLACE:
The Ada News
SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE:
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE:
Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise “Night of scholars and champions” SECOND PLACE:
EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE:
Stillwater News Press SECOND PLACE:
Muskogee Phoenix THIRD PLACE:
Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
8
“Shenanigans in Shawnee: Famous ape spotted at local historic sites”
SECOND PLACE:
Stillwater News Press
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
Stillwater News Press “Taste of Stillwater” THIRD PLACE:
Weatherford Daily News “Christmas in the Park”
Mike Tupa Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise “Lyle Taylor forged mat destiny at College High” SECOND PLACE:
Mike Kays Muskogee Phoenix “Lilli’s journey: Out of times of early peril, Muskogee senior has thrived” THIRD PLACE:
Adam Ewing The Shawnee News-Star “Stargell uses competitive drive to build a legacy”
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Staff Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
David Bitton Stillwater News Press
Adam Ewing The Shawnee News-Star
“Teachers by day …”
“Fatal motorcycle accident”
“Dale softball state champions”
SECOND PLACE:
David Bitton Stillwater News Press
SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Kent Bush The Shawnee News-Star
Randy Spicer II Weatherford Daily News
THIRD PLACE:
“Teacher walkout”
“Medical marijuana”
SECOND PLACE:
Jason Elmquist Stillwater News Press
“Firefighters rescue resident, pets in fire”
“Chuba Hubbard leaps defender”
David Bitton Stillwater News Press
THIRD PLACE:
Mike Tupa Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
“Veterans Day flags”
“Missed catch”
COLUMN WRITING FIRST PLACE:
Mike Kays Muskogee Phoenix “Hashmarks” SECOND PLACE:
DeWayne E. Smoot Muskogee Phoenix
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH
FRONT PAGE DESIGN
FIRST PLACE:
Chris Day Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise “Playin’ the blues” SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
David Bitton Stillwater News Press
“Bishop’s Beliefs”
“Tailgate fireworks”
“Orange smile”
FIRST PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Samantha Spears The Ada News “Celebrate America”
THIRD PLACE:
David Bitton Stillwater News Press
SMALL SPACE AD
Alison Morris Weatherford Daily News “Splash pad”
“Off the Cuff”
Jordan Bishop Stillwater News Press
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Joshua Cagle Muskogee Phoenix “Bright sight in the sky”
Kristyna Butler Weatherford Daily News “Pecina’s Mexican Café Valentine’s dinner” SECOND PLACE:
Maurisa Nelson, LeaAnn Wells, Ann Zimmerman & Ashley Williams The Ada News “Idle Time RV” THIRD PLACE:
Maurisa Nelson, LeaAnn Wells, Ann Zimmerman & Ashley Williams The Ada News “Deck restoration & pressure washing”
LARGE SPACE AD FIRST PLACE:
Kristyna Butler Weatherford Daily News “We’re homerun hitters!” SECOND PLACE:
Kristyna Butler Weatherford Daily News “Merry Christmas from Cummins Auto Group” THIRD PLACE:
Maurisa Nelson, LeaAnn Wells, Ann Zimmerman & Ashley Williams The Ada News “Ada Nissan July 4th specials” FIRST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY: THE SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
9
2018 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 3 RESULTS, DAILIES, CIRC. OF LESS THAN 3,000 NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Claremore Daily Progress
Clinton Daily News
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
The Duncan Banner
McAlester News-Capital
Kim Poindexter Tahlequah Daily Press
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Tahlequah Daily Press
Claremore Daily Progress
“Sequoyah Fuels nuclear waste leaves state” SECOND PLACE:
Ken Milam Poteau Daily News
SPORTS COVERAGE FIRST PLACE:
Clinton Daily News SECOND PLACE:
“$1 million lottery ticket” THIRD PLACE:
Derrick James McAlester News-Capital “One suspect dead after shooting, explosion in Talihina”
Woodward News
LAYOUT & DESIGN
THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
McAlester News-Capital
McAlester News-Capital
FEATURE STORY
SECOND PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Claremore Daily Progress
Ken Milam Poteau Daily News
THIRD PLACE:
“A glowing showing: black light exhibit”
Tahlequah Daily Press
SECOND PLACE:
Linda Provost The Duncan Banner
SALES PROMOTION
“Family found: Woman finds more than biological family in Duncan”
FIRST PLACE:
Clinton Daily News “Home for the Holidays”
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Derrick James McAlester News-Capital
Tahlequah Daily Press
ADVERTISING
“Best of Tahlequah” FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
McAlester News-Capital
The Duncan Banner
SECOND PLACE:
“Gridiron Guide”
“Suicide prevention and mental health discussion”
Woodward News THIRD PLACE:
Clinton Daily News
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
FIRST PLACE:
McAlester News-Capital
Byron Beers Tahlequah Daily Press
“Candidate and issue community forums” SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
“Shop Tahlequah”
Claremore Daily Progress
Kayleigh Thesenvitz Claremore Daily Progress
“Share the Spirit”
“Learning to walk again”
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
McAlester News-Capital
Andy Morphew The Duncan Banner
SECOND PLACE:
Tahlequah Daily Press THIRD PLACE:
Clinton Daily News
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“Golden duo: Running to glory”
Tahlequah Daily Press THIRD PLACE:
EDITORIAL WRITING
SPORTS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
“Elite group”
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
James Beaty McAlester News-Capital
Kayleigh Thesenvitz Claremore Daily Progress
“Vet fights to remain in home”
“National night out photo essay”
Byron Beers Tahlequah Daily Press
SECOND PLACE:
“Tahlequah second baseman gets an out”
SECOND PLACE:
Tesina Jackson Tahlequah Daily Press
Grant Crawford Tahlequah Daily Press
“E. coli levels in Town Branch”
“House explosion”
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Scott Haas & Linda Provost The Duncan Banner “County jail funding crisis”
SECOND PLACE:
Rick Heaton Claremore Daily Progress
Kayleigh Thesenvitz Claremore Daily Progress
“Stiff-arm at Claremore 35, East Central 7”
“Kowboy Kal and Frontier Day Camp”
Johnny McMahan Woodward News
THIRD PLACE:
“Soccer player heading ball toward the net”
FRONT PAGE DESIGN
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH
COLUMN WRITING FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Kim Poindexter Tahlequah Daily Press
Amanda Corbin Poteau Daily News
SECOND PLACE:
“Head over heels: bucking bronco”
Christina Clark The Duncan Banner
“Ramblin’ Round”
SMALL SPACE AD FIRST PLACE:
Staff McAlester News-Capital
Dawnyal Hill McAlester News-Capital “Veterans Day 2018” SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
James Beaty McAlester News-Capital
FIRST PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Kayleigh Thesenvitz Claremore Daily Progress
William Kujawa & Cydney Baron Claremore Daily Progress “Sidewalk repair project”
“The wall that heals”
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Juanita Lewis Tahlequah Daily Press
Amanda Corbin Poteau Daily News
“On a roll with Cornhole”
“Honoring those who served”
“McAlester Family Eyecare” SECOND PLACE:
Staff McAlester News-Capital “Classic Restorations” THIRD PLACE:
Crystal Childers The Duncan Banner “Prom would be ‘ruff’ without you…”
LARGE SPACE AD FIRST PLACE:
Juanita Lewis Tahlequah Daily Press “Sooner Electronics, where Santa shops for the big boys toys” SECOND PLACE:
Staff McAlester News-Capital “Big V Feeds Pro Rodeo” THIRD PLACE:
Staff McAlester News-Capital “Tannehill Furniture” FIRST PLACE, SALES PROMOTION: CLINTON DAILY NEWS
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
11
2018 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 4 RESULTS, WEEKLIES, CIRC. OF MORE THAN 2,000 NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
The Eufaula Indian Journal
The Eufaula Indian Journal
Sheryl Ponce The Beckham County Record
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Choctaw Times
Choctaw Times
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
The Purcell Register
Mustang Times
“Local teachers at State Capitol” SECOND PLACE:
Mike W. Ray OKC Friday “What’s in your sewer?”
SPORTS COVERAGE FIRST PLACE:
The Madill Record SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Darrell Neale & Christina Fuson Stilwell Democrat Journal “Cherry Tree Water District in turmoil”
OKC Friday
LAYOUT & DESIGN
THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
The Purcell Register
The Madill Record
FEATURE STORY
SECOND PLACE:
The Eufaula Indian Journal
FIRST PLACE:
Tina Firquain The Madill Record
THIRD PLACE:
The Beckham County Record
“Because of Walmart the Dog” SECOND PLACE:
SALES PROMOTION FIRST PLACE:
The Purcell Register
ADVERTISING
“Football Preview magazine”
FIRST PLACE:
The Madill Record
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Choctaw Times
The Eufaula Indian Journal
“Oktoberfest guide”
THIRD PLACE:
The Eufaula Indian Journal
Molly Raley The Madill Record “No teacher left behind” THIRD PLACE:
Mike W. Ray OKC Friday “Turkey lurking around The Village”
THIRD PLACE:
OKC Friday
SPORTS STORY
“Focus magazine”
FIRST PLACE:
Molly Raley The Madill Record “1% Better: 1600-meter relay champs”
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE:
EDITORIAL WRITING
The Purcell Register “Saving the hospital”
SECOND PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Choctaw Times
Mustang Times
Sheryl Ponce The Beckham County Record
SECOND PLACE:
Mustang Times THIRD PLACE:
The Purcell Register
“Food drive” THIRD PLACE:
The Eufaula Indian Journal “Wetlands project”
“97-year-old grandmother is avid high school basketball fan” THIRD PLACE:
Tina Firquain The Madill Record “More than just a reunion – 10 years of kindness returned”
12
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
IN-DEPTH REPORTING (COMBINED WITH DIVISION 5)
LARGE SPACE AD
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 5)
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 8)
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
John Small, Mary Lokey & Tom Lokey Johnston County Sentinel
Joshua Small Johnston County Sentinel
Rick Carpenter The Altus Times “Bareback bronc”
“Happy Days at Houser’s Furniture”
“Shelley and Kevin Duncan investigations”
SECOND PLACE:
Ron Vavak OKC Friday “Woman of the Year”
SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Shonda Little The Beckham County Record
JJ Francais The Chronicle
“Examining State Question 788”
“Hardzog’s Christmas open house”
THIRD PLACE:
Shonda Little The Beckham County Record
SECOND PLACE:
Richard Clifton OKC Friday “Deer Creek - PC North scrimmage” THIRD PLACE:
Kevin Farr Durant Democrat “Silo wins baseball championship”
“Opioid crisis”
FRONT PAGE DESIGN
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH
COLUMN WRITING
FIRST PLACE:
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 8)
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 8)
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Zach Maxwell Durant Democrat
Kyle Salomon Yukon Review SECOND PLACE:
“Home, church escape wildfire”
Patty Miller The Edmond Sun
Rose Lane OKC Friday “Pains, trains and automobiles” SECOND PLACE:
Tina Firquain The Madill Record “Reduced speed ahead”
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Kaylea Hutson-Miller The Grove Sun
Rick Carpenter The Altus Times
“Bits & Pieces”
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Rose Lane OKC Friday
“Jackson County issues burn ban”
“Turkey lurking”
Drew Harmon The Edmond Sun
SMALL SPACE AD
“Soccer kite”
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 5)
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH (COMBINED WITH DIVISION 8) FIRST PLACE:
Jessica Lane The Express-Star (Chickasha) “Anadarko Dance Troupe visits Brookdale” SECOND PLACE: FIRST PLACE:
John Small Johnston County Sentinel
Patty Miller The Edmond Sun “Corn hole tournament”
“Gospel Station – Tishomingo Indians”
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Kaylea Hutson-Miller The Grove Sun
Christina Fuson Stilwell Democrat Journal “Memorial Hospital fall craft sale”
“On Fire for INTEGRIS Grove”
THIRD PLACE:
JJ Francais The Chronicle (Elgin) “Kerbo’s Frame Shop” FIRST PLACE, COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP: THE PURCELL REGISTER
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
13
2018 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 5 RESULTS, WEEKLIES, CIRC. OF 1,400 - 2,000 NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Owasso Reporter
Midwest City Beacon
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
The Delaware County Journal
The Chronicle
Kaylea Hutson-Miller The Delaware County Journal
THIRD PLACE:
The Countywide & Sun
Midwest City Beacon
(Tecumseh)
“Russell brothers charged with first degree murder, deliberate intent”
THIRD PLACE: SECOND PLACE:
Lisa Carroll The Chronicle
SPORTS COVERAGE FIRST PLACE:
Owasso Reporter SECOND PLACE:
“Questions linger in Apache shooting” THIRD PLACE:
Mary Lokey Johnston County Sentinel “Missing teen’s body recovered”
Johnston County Sentinel
LAYOUT & DESIGN FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Owasso Reporter
Vian Tenkiller News
FEATURE STORY
SECOND PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Midwest City Beacon
Art Haddaway Owasso Reporter
THIRD PLACE:
Johnston County Sentinel
“Beyond happenstance: Owasso couple, nurses reunite to bring dying daughter back to health” SECOND PLACE:
Art Haddaway Owasso Reporter
SALES PROMOTION
“A mom’s peace: Local woman reunites with twin daughters”
FIRST PLACE:
ADVERTISING FIRST PLACE:
McIntosh County Democrat
Owasso Reporter
“Gridiron Guide”
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
McIntosh County Democrat
Tuttle Times
THIRD PLACE:
Kaylea Hutson-Miller The Delaware County Journal “Autism diagnosis empowers Jay student”
“Tri-City Today” THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Midwest City Beacon
Johnston County Sentinel
“Eastern Oklahoma County Football Preview”
SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE:
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE:
EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE:
The Chronicle (Elgin) SECOND PLACE:
McIntosh County Democrat
“Alternate path: historic lacrosse scholarship”
The Countywide & Sun
SECOND PLACE:
“Tornado Preparedness Guide”
Kaylea Hutson-Miller The Delaware County Journal
SECOND PLACE:
The Chronicle “Elgin Winter Wishes special section”
“Fighting Peacocks prep for national games”
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Johnston County Sentinel
McIntosh County Democrat
Rick Thielen The Delaware County Journal
“Domestic violence awareness”
14
Shawn Hein Owasso Reporter
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
“Jay Unified Sports top in nation”
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
LARGE SPACE AD
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 4)
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 4) FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
John Small, Mary Lokey & Tom Lokey Johnston County Sentinel
Joshua Small Johnston County Sentinel
“Shelley and Kevin Duncan investigations”
SECOND PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Steve Booker The Chronicle “Rising above: Sterling basketball shot”
“Happy Days at Houser’s Furniture”
SECOND PLACE:
Jay DeSilver The Chronicle
Ron Vavak OKC Friday
SECOND PLACE:
Shonda Little The Beckham County Record “Examining State Question 788”
“Tour de Meers”
“Woman of the Year”
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Jay DeSilver The Chronicle
THIRD PLACE:
JJ Francais The Chronicle
Shonda Little The Beckham County Record
“Hardzog’s Christmas open house”
“Opioid crisis”
“Mid-air football catch”
FRONT PAGE DESIGN NEWS PHOTOGRAPH
COLUMN WRITING
FIRST PLACE:
Melanie Allen Owasso Reporter
FIRST PLACE:
“Vote to smoke”
Kaylea Hutson-Miller The Delaware County Journal
Debi DeSilver The Chronicle
SECOND PLACE:
“Bits & Pieces”
“Election issue”
SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Art Haddaway Owasso Reporter
Suzie Campbell The Countywide & Sun
“From the Editor”
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Mary Lokey Johnston County Sentinel
Suzie Campbell The Countywide & Sun “Cows & Cabbage”
“Fallen officer monument revealed”
“House fire blamed on faulty wiring” SECOND PLACE:
Steve Booker The Chronicle “House engulfed in flames” THIRD PLACE:
SMALL SPACE AD
Steve Booker The Chronicle
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 4) FIRST PLACE:
John Small Johnston County Sentinel
“Oklahoma National Guard Blackhawk helicopter”
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH
“Gospel Station – Tishomingo Indians” SECOND PLACE:
Christina Fuson Stilwell Democrat Journal “Memorial Hospital fall craft sale” THIRD PLACE:
JJ Francais The Chronicle “Kerbo’s Frame Shop”
FIRST PLACE:
Kaylea Hutson-Miller The Delaware County Journal “Patriotic bubbles” SECOND PLACE:
Steve Booker The Chronicle “Six-year olds celebrating America’s birthday” THIRD PLACE:
Lisa Carroll The Chronicle
FIRST PLACE, SALES PROMOTION: McINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
“Smiling goat”
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
15
2018 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 6 RESULTS, WEEKLIES, CIRC. OF 750 - 1,399 NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
The Carnegie Herald
Stroud American
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Rachel Snyder Sand Springs Leader
The Fairfax Chief
The Fairfax Chief
“From poverty to the Capitol”
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Skiatook Journal
Drumright Gusher
Carol Conner The Fairfax Chief “Ralston residents refute school closure”
SPORTS COVERAGE
THIRD PLACE:
Carol Conner The Fairfax Chief
FIRST PLACE:
Wagoner County American-Tribune
“Weather wreaks havoc on Fairfax”
SECOND PLACE:
Skiatook Journal
LAYOUT & DESIGN
THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Stroud American
Wagoner County American-Tribune SECOND PLACE:
Stroud American
FEATURE STORY
THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
The Carnegie Herald
Kirk McCracken Sand Springs Leader “Sandite to the rescue of Thailand boys soccer team” SECOND PLACE:
SALES PROMOTION
Kirk McCracken Sand Springs Leader
FIRST PLACE:
Skiatook Journal
“Power in the Blood: KFD holds blood drive for Baby Ronnie”
“Pioneer Day”
ADVERTISING
SECOND PLACE: FIRST PLACE:
Stroud American
Skiatook Journal
THIRD PLACE:
“Summer Guide”
SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
The Fairfax Chief
Wagoner County American-Tribune
THIRD PLACE:
Kirk McCracken Sand Springs Leader “Gift of Love”
“Wagoner County Hometown Guide”
The Carnegie Herald
SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE:
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE:
The Carnegie Herald “Wildcat Turkey Trot”
EDITORIAL WRITING
SECOND PLACE:
Kirk McCracken Sand Springs Leader
SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Skiatook Journal
16
SECOND PLACE: “Pet of the Week for Skiatook Paws and Claws Animal Rescue”
Stroud American
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
“Undisputed: Seniors win Powder Puff championship”
Skiatook Journal
The Fairfax Chief
FIRST PLACE:
Kirk McCracken Sand Springs Leader
Wagoner County American-Tribune “Fathers and Football’ movie gala”
“Monster Ball” THIRD PLACE:
Bristow News “Catching a dream... Josh Crockett signs with Kansas City Chiefs”
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Christy Wheeland & John Ferguson Wagoner County American-Tribune
Carey Head The Fairfax Chief
Brian Blansett Stroud American
“Shattered windows of church van”
“Teacher walkout series” SECOND PLACE:
Lindsey Chastain Skiatook Journal “Osage County and Osage Nation land battle”
SECOND PLACE:
Carol Conner The Fairfax Chief
“Softball pitcher begins windup” SECOND PLACE:
Dane Smart Hughes County Tribune “Chieftains swat Hornets to start the season”
“Iconic Tallchief Damaged”
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Carey Head The Fairfax Chief
Loretta Blunt Drumright Gusher
Don Quinn Drumright Gusher
“Tornado touches down in Fairfax”
“Car wrecks into Cushing business”
“Sliding in at base and headed to State”
COLUMN WRITING FIRST PLACE:
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH FIRST PLACE:
Kirk McCracken Sand Springs Leader
Brian Blansett Stroud American
“From the editor” SECOND PLACE:
“A baaaaad day”
Christy Wheeland Wagoner County American-Tribune “Observation Point” THIRD PLACE:
Jyl Hobbs Mountain View News “Doodles”
SMALL SPACE AD (COMBINED WITH DIVISION 7)
FRONT PAGE DESIGN FIRST PLACE:
Melanie Allen Wagoner County American-Tribune “SQ 788” SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Brian Blansett Stroud American “Flipping like Gumby” THIRD PLACE:
Loretta Blunt Drumright Gusher
Melanie Allen Sand Springs Leader “Follow the gold rush” THIRD PLACE:
Kirk McCracken Sand Springs Leader “Hot rod heaven”
“Splashing Into summer”
FIRST PLACE:
Clarence B. Wright The Newcastle Pacer “Green Plus now open” SECOND PLACE:
Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief “Venture Food Stores” THIRD PLACE:
Clarence B. Wright The Newcastle Pacer “Brush Creek”
LARGE SPACE AD (COMBINED WITH DIVISION 7) FIRST PLACE:
Clarence B. Wright The Newcastle Pacer “CBD Complete Body Defense” SECOND PLACE:
Clarence B. Wright The Newcastle Pacer “AAA Insurance” THIRD PLACE:
Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief “Fairfax Community Foundation’s New Year’s Eve party”
FIRST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY: STROUD AMERICAN
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
17
2018 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 7 RESULTS, WEEKLIES, CIRC. OF LESS THAN 750 NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
The Thomas Tribune SECOND PLACE:
Minco-Union City Times
Tami Adams The Thomas Tribune
The Newcastle Pacer
SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Tri-County Herald
“Custer City: Story of a town divided”
Minco-Union City Times
THIRD PLACE:
The Dewey County Record
SPORTS COVERAGE
THIRD PLACE:
Tri-County Herald
Tami Adams The Thomas Tribune
The Dewey County Record
FIRST PLACE:
The Newcastle Pacer
“Historic wildfire rages in Dewey County”
FIRST PLACE: SECOND PLACE:
LAYOUT & DESIGN
SECOND PLACE:
Kevin Farr The Dewey County Record
“Bond issue heats up as election nears”
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Minco-Union City Times
Tri-County Herald
FEATURE STORY
(Meeker)
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Brian Blansett Tri-County Herald
The Dewey County Record
“Waco: 25 years after the raid on Mount Carmel” SECOND PLACE:
SALES PROMOTION FIRST PLACE:
ADVERTISING
Eastern Times-Register
Todd Newville The Newcastle Pacer “Lloyd Gramling - a legend lost”
Four school special sections
THIRD PLACE:
The Newcastle Pacer
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Tri-County Herald
Clarence B. Wright The Newcastle Pacer
FIRST PLACE:
“Teacher of the Week”
Tri-County Herald
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
The Newcastle Pacer
Eastern Times-Register
“Pigskin Press Pass”
(Roland)
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE:
Minco-Union City Times
EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE:
Eastern Times-Register SECOND PLACE:
Minco-Union City Times THIRD PLACE:
Tri-County Herald
“Local Scout earns prestigious honor”
SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE:
Todd Newville The Newcastle Pacer “Pro Cowboy Blaine Stacy rides for his future”
“Minco-Union City Food Drive”
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Todd Newville The Newcastle Pacer
Eastern Times-Register “Weekly pet adoptions for Ahimsa Rescue “ THIRD PLACE:
Tri-County Herald “School at stake”
“Former Racer QB throws seven TDs” THIRD PLACE:
Kevin Farr The Dewey County Record “Wildcats maul Carnegie in season opener”
18
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Sage Le Blanc The Dewey County Record
Lia Hillman The Dewey County Record
Rick Hester Tri-County Herald
“Wildfire series”
“Historic wildfire rages”
“Softball player takes a shoe to the chin” SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Kevin Farr The Dewey County Record
Brian Blansett Tri-County Herald
SECOND PLACE:
Clarence B. Wright The Newcastle Pacer
“Oklahoma winter”
“Earthquake prompts closure of Bridge Creek fracking well”
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Brian Blansett Tri-County Herald
Ariana Farris Parkinson The Thomas Tribune
“Steer wrestling during Rodeo Week” THIRD PLACE:
Brian Blansett Tri-County Herald
“Walk-to-school day”
“Roughed up in tournament”
“Fay triple homicide of 1933”
COLUMN WRITING
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Brian Blansett Tri-County Herald SECOND PLACE:
Jeremy Freeman The Newcastle Pacer “Setting the Pace” THIRD PLACE:
Tami Adams The Thomas Tribune “Tami’s Tales”
SECOND PLACE:
Brian Blansett Tri-County Herald
FIRST PLACE:
“Meeker senior Raceton Sedlacek”
“Flying High”
Clarence B. Wright The Newcastle Pacer SECOND PLACE:
Brian Blansett Tri-County Herald
Brian Blansett Tri-County Herald
“Bulldogs win big”
“Pott Co. livestock show”
Kevin Farr, Lia Hillman & Toni Goforth The Dewey County Record
THIRD PLACE:
Brian Blansett Tri-County Herald
SMALL SPACE AD
FRONT PAGE DESIGN
“Summer at the Meeker Library”
THIRD PLACE:
“Historic wildfire”
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 6) FIRST PLACE:
Clarence B. Wright The Newcastle Pacer “Green Plus now open” SECOND PLACE:
Clarence B. Wright The Newcastle Pacer “AAA Insurance” THIRD PLACE:
Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief “Fairfax Community Foundation’s New Year’s Eve party”
LARGE SPACE AD (COMBINED WITH DIVISION 6) FIRST PLACE:
Clarence B. Wright The Newcastle Pacer “CBD Complete Body Defense” SECOND PLACE:
Clarence B. Wright The Newcastle Pacer “AAA Insurance” THIRD PLACE:
Sherry Stinson The Fairfax Chief “Fairfax Community Foundation’s New Year’s Eve party”
FIRST PLACE, SALES PROMOTION: EASTERN TIMES-REGISTER
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
19
2018 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST DIVISION 8 RESULTS, SEMI- AND TRI- WEEKLIES NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Sequoyah County Times
The Altus Times
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
James Coburn The Edmond Sun
Okmulgee Times
Durant Democrat
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Durant Democrat
El Reno Tribune
“Jones hopes DNA analysis proves innocence” SECOND PLACE:
Lynn McCulley Sequoyah County Times
SPORTS COVERAGE
“Sheriff’s father found dead”
FIRST PLACE:
Yukon Review
THIRD PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Michael Clements Durant Democrat
Henryetta Free-Lance
LAYOUT & DESIGN
“Attorney General: Board overstepped authority”
THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
El Reno Tribune
Okmulgee Times SECOND PLACE:
FEATURE STORY
El Reno Tribune THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
The Edmond Sun
Kaylea Hutson-Miller & Rodney Echohawk The Grove Sun “Love on the battlefield” SECOND PLACE:
SALES PROMOTION
Lynn McCulley Sequoyah County Times
FIRST PLACE:
El Reno Tribune
ADVERTISING
“Centennial marks memory of Dwight Mission tragedy”
“Annual Easter ham giveaway” SECOND PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
The Grove Sun SECOND PLACE:
The Edmond Sun
THIRD PLACE:
“Seniors Today: 7 over 70”
Stacy Sanborn Alva Review-Courier
THIRD PLACE:
El Reno Tribune
“Humor, coffee and a whole lot of Jesus”
Okmulgee Times
THIRD PLACE:
“Focus magazine”
Okmulgee Times
SPORTS STORY FIRST PLACE:
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FIRST PLACE:
The Grove Sun
EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE:
“Wizard of Oz at Grove High School” SECOND PLACE:
Durant Democrat
El Reno Tribune
SECOND PLACE:
“Biographies of El Reno High School”
The Edmond Sun THIRD PLACE:
Sequoyah County Times
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
“Dauber dominance: Oklahoma’s quietest threesport letterman” SECOND PLACE:
Kaylea Hutson-Miller The Grove Sun “Achieving her goals: Pennington joins women’s wrestling program”
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Sequoyah County Times
Larry Miller Durant Democrat
“General Election Voter’s Guide”
20
Aaron Albertson The Edmond Sun
“Walk-off homerun stuns Lady Lions”
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH
FIRST PLACE:
Kaylea Hutson-Miller The Grove Sun “Teacher walkout” SECOND PLACE:
Glen Miller El Reno Tribune “Booster club finances” THIRD PLACE:
Patty Miller The Edmond Sun “New opioids guidlines stifling pain management”
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 4)
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 4) FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Zach Maxwell Durant Democrat
Rick Carpenter The Altus Times
“Home, church escape wildfire”
“Bareback bronc” SECOND PLACE:
Richard Clifton OKC Friday
SECOND PLACE:
“Deer Creek - PC North scrimmage”
Rick Carpenter The Altus Times “Jackson County issues burn ban”
THIRD PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Kevin Farr Durant Democrat
Drew Harmon The Edmond Sun
“Silo wins baseball championship”
“Soccer kite”
COLUMN WRITING FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 4) FIRST PLACE:
Kyle Salomon Yukon Review SECOND PLACE:
Patty Miller The Edmond Sun THIRD PLACE:
Kaylea Hutson-Miller The Grove Sun “Bits & Pieces”
(COMBINED WITH DIVISION 4) FIRST PLACE:
Jessica Lane The Express-Star (Chickasha) “Anadarko Dance Troupe visits Brookdale” SECOND PLACE:
Patty Miller The Edmond Sun “Corn hole tournament” THIRD PLACE:
Kaylea Hutson-Miller The Grove Sun
SMALL SPACE AD FIRST PLACE:
FRONT PAGE DESIGN FIRST PLACE:
Glen Miller & Lyndsay Bayne El Reno Tribune “Veterans Day Parade” SECOND PLACE:
Kari Tompkins The Edmond Sun “Jan. 27, 2018” THIRD PLACE:
Stacey Neal Durant Democrat “State Bound”
“On Fire for INTEGRIS Grove”
Kim SelfHutchison The Grove Sun “High Winds Casino, dinner for two” SECOND PLACE:
Kaylea Hutson-Miller The Grove Sun “Great Grand Bobber Drop” THIRD PLACE:
Larissa Copeland Yukon Review “State Farm, Cherie Logan”
LARGE SPACE AD FIRST PLACE:
Carrie Carberry & Silver Cole Sequoyah County Times “Diamond Daze Festival” SECOND PLACE:
Kim Self-Hutchison The Grove Sun “Grand Lake Sports Center, early bird season sale” THIRD PLACE:
Lyndsay Bayne El Reno Tribune “City of El Reno, Burger Day”
FIRST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY: THE ALTUS TIMES
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
21
2018 OPA BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS NEWS CONTENT
PHOTOGRAPHY
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
The Oklahoma Daily
O’Colly
The Oklahoma Daily
University of Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University
“Presidential search and transition”
SECOND PLACE:
Collegian
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Cameron University
The Oklahoma Daily
Pioneer
THIRD PLACE:
Gazette
THIRD PLACE:
Langston University
Gazette
“The Female Experience”
SPORTS COVERAGE FIRST PLACE:
O’Colly
LAYOUT & DESIGN
NEWS STORY FIRST PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Nick Hazelrigg The Oklahoma Daily
The Oklahoma Daily
Collegian SECOND PLACE:
“Time’s up at OU”
THIRD PLACE:
The Oklahoma Daily
SECOND PLACE:
Gazette
Kelsy Schlotthauer O’Colly
THIRD PLACE:
Pioneer
“Officers in shooting cleared, family still wants answers”
Oklahoma City Community College THIRD PLACE:
SALES PROMOTION FIRST PLACE:
The Oklahoma Daily
ADVERTISING FIRST PLACE:
The Oklahoma Daily
“Heisman issue”
Tallorial Bonds Gazette “Student finds mistake in textbook”
FEATURE STORY FIRST PLACE:
Anna Bauman The Oklahoma Daily “Paving the way” SECOND PLACE:
Katie Duer 15th Street News Rose State College “Positive Tomorrows: School offers hope for homeless children” THIRD PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
Drue Watkins, Madison Lyda, Sarae Ticeahkie & Cheyenne Cole Collegian
The Oklahoma Daily
“Bethany Hines, Cameron Aggie Softball”
EDITORIAL WRITING SECOND PLACE:
Pioneer THIRD PLACE:
Northwestern News Northwestern Oklahoma State University
22
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
SPORTS STORY
SMALL SPACE AD FIRST PLACE:
FIRST PLACE:
George Stoia The Oklahoma Daily
Amelia Kinsinger The Oklahoma Daily
“Dual dedication: Two-sport star Kyler Murray balances baseball, football”
“Conan’s Academy, How do you look naked?”
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH
SECOND PLACE:
Drue Watkins, Katie Livingston & Zack Crow Collegian
FIRST PLACE:
LARGE SPACE AD
“The runners are women”
FIRST PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Amelia Kinsinger The Oklahoma Daily
Sami McGuire Northwestern News
“OU Graduation Office”
Jenna Lowrance Pioneer “A fair carousel rider” SECOND PLACE:
Stacie Larsen Collegian “Pumpkin Smash”
“Mental strength fuels win”
THIRD PLACE:
Kimberly Thompson Gazette
IN-DEPTH REPORTING
“Sheryl Underwood”
FIRST PLACE:
Jana Allen The Oklahoma Daily
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH
“Former OU Drama director Tom Orr had ‘no intention of punishing’ John Scamehorn for indiscretions, emails reveal”
FIRST PLACE:
Caitlyn Epes The Oklahoma Daily “Jumpman”
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH
SECOND PLACE:
SECOND PLACE:
Jana Allen The Oklahoma Daily
Drue Watkins Collegian
“Crossing the line: Title IX investigated professor, former School of Drama Director Tom Orr after accusations of sexual harassment”
“Softball catcher” THIRD PLACE:
Katie Livingston Collegian
THIRD PLACE:
KaraLee Langford, Sean Stanley & Jenna Lowrance Pioneer “The female experience”
“Runners are women” FIRST PLACE:
Motaz Al Azayza Pioneer “The Gaza Strip”
COLUMN WRITING
SECOND PLACE: FIRST PLACE:
George Stoia The Oklahoma Daily
Stacie Larsen Collegian
Madison Lyda Collegian
THIRD PLACE:
“Indigenous Peoples’ Day”
“Back to school” SECOND PLACE:
THIRD PLACE:
Tatyana Nyborg Connection Tulsa Community College
FIRST PLACE:
“Tree lighting”
Jenna Lowrance Pioneer
Payton Williams Collegian
FRONT PAGE DESIGN
SECOND PLACE:
Savannah Saing & Sarah Barney The Oklahoma Daily “Shrouded in secrecy” THIRD PLACE:
Jasmine Mayes Gazette “Class of 2018”
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
23
ADDITIONAL AWARDS 2018 ONG EDITORIAL SWEEPSTAKES WINNER
WAYNE TROTTER Countywide & Sun Face It, November 2018
2018 ONG COLUMN SWEEPSTAKES WINNER
KATI GIBSON Chelsea Reporter My father was a very mean man, February 2018
2018 OGE DAILY PHOTO OF THE YEAR
JASON ELMQUIST Stillwater News Press OSU player leaps over a Texas defender into the end zone, October 2018
2018 OGE WEEKLY PHOTO OF THE YEAR
JEFF HARRISON Midwest City Beacon Wacky Wellness Color Run, October 2018
2018 JOSEPH H. EDWARDS OUTDOOR WRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD
JOHN KILGORE Muskogee Phoenix 2018 RAY LOKEY MEMORIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN REPORTING
JOHN A. SMALL Johnston County Sentinel
24
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
ADDITIONAL AWARDS 2018 DIGITAL MEDIA AWARDS DAILY DIVISION
WEEKLY DIVISION
COLLEGE DIVISION
FIRST PLACE
FIRST PLACE
FIRST PLACE
BARTLESVILLE EXAMINER-ENTERPRISE
THE EDMOND SUN SECOND PLACE
THE OKLAHOMA DAILY University of Oklahoma
SECOND PLACE
THE COUNTYWIDE & SUN
SECOND PLACE
ENID NEWS & EAGLE THIRD PLACE
THE JOURNAL RECORD
THIRD PLACE
JOHNSTON COUNTY SENTINEL
PIONEER Oklahoma City Community College
2018 OPA MAGAZINE CONTEST FIRST PLACE
SECOND PLACE
THIRD PLACE
TULSA WORLD
STILLWATER NEWS PRESS
THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT
OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
25
Rick Hester The Tri-County Herald 1st place - Sports Photography
CONGRATULATIONS to all the
Winners! Oklahoma’s Newspapers are the backbone of our state! The
Purcell 26
Register
OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION
2018 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.
The American (Afton) The Apache News The Ardmoreite Atoka County Times Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise The Beckham County Record The Black Chronicle (OKC) Blackwell Journal-Tribune Buffalo Weekly News The Carnegie Herald The Cheyenne Star Clayton Today Clinton Daily News Coalgate Record-Register The Comanche Times The Cordell Beacon Drumright Gusher Eastern Times-Register (Roland) El Reno Tribune Enid News & Eagle The Eufaula Indian Journal The Gage Record The Grove Sun Harper County Leader The Haskell News The Healdton Herald
Heavener Ledger The Hennessey Clipper Henryetta Free-Lance The Herald-Democrat (Beaver) The Hinton Record The Hominy News-Progress The Hooker Advance Hughes County Tribune Kiowa County Democrat Latimer County News-Tribune The Lawton Constitution The Madill Record Marietta Monitor Midwest City Beacon The Morris News Mountain View News Mustang Times Northwest Oklahoman & Ellis County News The Okeene Record Okemah News Leader The Oklahoman The Paper (Pryor)
Pawhuska Journal-Capital The Perkins Journal The Ringling Eagle The Rush Springs Gazette Sand Springs Leader The Sentinel Leader Sequoyah County Times The Shawnee News-Star Skiatook Journal Stillwater News Press The Stilwell Democrat Journal Sulphur Times-Democrat Tahlequah Daily Press Talihina American Taloga Times-Advocate Tulsa Beacon The Tuttle Times The Valliant Leader Vian Tenkiller News The Vici Vision Wagoner County American-Tribune The Westville Reporter The Wewoka Times The Wilson Post-Democrat The Wynnewood Gazette Yale News
Congratulations to the Perfecta Award Winners OPA CONVENTION AWARDS
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A reason to celebrate. The Oklahoma Press Association congratulates all Award Winners for their many achievements.
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