OPA Awards Program 2018-19

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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