The Arizona Press Club is proud to announce the winners of the 2018 writing, design, and photojournalism awards.
Note: A few results from select categories have been delayed, we will update this list with more winners in the coming days.
Community Journalist of the Year
Paul Ingram, Tucson Sentinel
Judge’s comments: Paul’s work on border issues rivals a lot of work that is produced for national publications. I was impressed by his depth and understanding of the immigration crisis, particularly in his area.
Second place: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, Times Media Group
Third place (tie): Tom Blodgett, Community Impact Newspaper, and Heather Smathers, Casa Grande Dispatch
Judges:
- Maria Perez of the Naples Daily News won a George Polk Award and an Al Neuharth Award for Investigative Journalism for her investigation of how high-risk industries hire undocumented workers but avoid paying workers’ compensation when they are injured on the job.
- Amy Wilson, storytelling coach at the Cincinnati Enquirer, was part of the team that won a 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting for coverage of the heroin epidemic.
- Erin Alberty was the lead reporter on The Salt Lake Tribune’s Pulitzer-winning coverage of campus sexual assault.
Virg Hill Journalist of the Year
Craig Harris, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comments: Craig Harris’ reporting on the finances of charter schools and Arizona’s parks agency represents the best of local accountability reporting, the kind that ruffles feathers, stirs debate and gets results in the statehouse.
Second place: Emily Bregel, Arizona Daily Star
Third place: Yihyun Jeong, Arizona Republic
Judges:
- Marissa Evans of the Texas Tribune won an award for explanatory reporting for her investigation of maternal mortality.
- Lisa Gibbs is the director of news partnerships at The Associated Press. In 2016, she was named Business Journalist of the Year by TalkingBizNews.
- Robyn Tomlin is the editor of the News & Observer.
Designer of the Year
Zac McDonald, Phoenix New Times
Second place: Rick Konopka, Arizona Republic
Third place: Merry Eccles, Arizona Republic
Judge: Illustrator Brian Stauffer has won a Gold Print Editorial Award from the International Design Awards.
News Photographer of the Year
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Second Place: Rob Schumacher, Arizona Republic
Third Place: Mike Christy, Arizona Daily Star
Judges: Dallas Morning News photo staff
Sports Photographer of the Year
Rob Schumacher, Arizona Republic
Second Place: Patrick Breen, Arizona Republic
Third Place: Christian Petersen, Getty Images
Judges: Dallas Morning News photo staff
Community Photographer of the Year
Did not reach minimum entry requirement to be judged.
A1. Spanish-language news reporting
First place: Perla Trevizo, Arizona Daily Star
Second place: Curt Prendergast y Perla Trevizo, La Estrella de Tucsón
Third place: Charlene Santiago, Cronkite Noticias
Judge: Eliezer Budasoff is the editorial director of NYT en Español.
A2. Spanish-language feature reporting
First place: Perla Trevizo, Fernanda Echavarri, y Mike Christy, Arizona Daily Star y NPR’s Latino USA
Second place: Ernesto “Neto” Portillo Jr., La Estrella de Tucsón
Third place: Mia Armstrong y Miranda Cyr, Cronkite Noticias
Judge: Eliezer Budasoff is the editorial director of NYT en Español.
A3. Spanish-language commentary/analysis
First place: Ernesto Portillo Jr., La Estrella de Tucsón
Second place: Liliana López Ruelas, La Estrella de Tucsón
Third place: Charlene Santiago, Cronkite Noticias
Judge: Eliezer Budasoff is the editorial director of NYT en Español.
B1. Community investigative reporting
First place: Danyelle Khmara, Tucson Weekly
Judge’s comments: This story of a jailhouse murder delivers a form of justice by humanizing both the victim and the killer through painful, intimate details about their lives and those of their family members.
Second place: Danyelle Khmara, Tucson Weekly
Judge’s comments: A non-exploitative and compelling look at sex workers, bolstered by strong data analysis.
Third place: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy, Arizona Mirror
Judge’s comments: The story gives an important voice to the powerless battling for decent housing.
Judge: Beth Reinhard is a reporter on the investigative team at The Washington Post.
C1. The Don Bolles Award for Investigative Reporting
First place: Craig Harris, Anne Ryman, Alden Woods and Justin Price, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: The breadth and depth of this series was impressive, holding both government and private industry accountable while also bringing the individual players to life through colorful narratives.
Second place: Yihyun Jeong, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Taxpayers owe this reporter thanks for her careful review of public records that should keep school officials on their toes from now on.
Judge: Beth Reinhard is a reporter on the investigative team at The Washington Post.
B2. Community public service journalism
First place: Rachel Leingang, Arizona Capitol Times
“Politicians block constituents’ speech on social media”
Judge’s comment: The reporter revealed the cynicism of elected representatives who didn’t actually want to hear the opinions of the people they represent.
Judge: Mark Baldwin is executive editor of the Rockford Register Star in Illinois.
C2. Statewide public service journalism
First place: Patty Machelor, Emily Bregel, Perla Trevizo and Sarah Garrecht Gassen, Arizona Daily Star
“Fixing our foster care crisis”
Judge’s comment: This project — ambitious in scope, deeply reported, well organized and oriented to solutions — provides a model for how to attack an important policy issue.
Second place: Chris McCrory, Cronkite News
Two-part series on Arizona’s abandoned mines
Third place: Mary Jo Pitzl, Arizona Republic
“Kids in Crisis”
Judge: Mark Baldwin is executive editor of the Rockford Register Star in Illinois.
B3. Community breaking news
First place: Dylan Smith, Tucson Sentinel
“Sinema wins U.S. Senate seat”
Judge’s comment: Smith did a very good job giving context and color on a national-interest election story. And he, and the Tucson Sentinel, had it first — two hours before the Associated Press.
Second place: Paul Ingram, Tucson Sentinel
“Update: Swartz found not guilty of involuntary manslaughter in Border Patrol shooting case”
Judge: Sally Stapleton is editor of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
C3. Statewide breaking news
First place: Caitlin Schmidt, Arizona Daily Star
“Man charged killing of Tucson girls has long, cross-country criminal record”
Judge’s comment: I was impressed with reporter Caitlin Schmidt’s doc search locally, in Florida and Washington state, to detail his life as a career criminal which highlighted the opportunities that law enforcement had over the years to incarcerate him, but didn’t. Schmidt could have taken what local officials gave in interviews and police documents but she took it further, which made it much more than a routine but horrific crime story.
Second place: Tony Davis, Arizona Daily Star
“Watch explosion at border agent’s gender-reveal party that sparked huge Arizona wildfire”
Judge’s comment: Confession: I’ve never read a FOIA-generated story that I haven’t liked. Reporter Tony Davis was persistent with law enforcement officials, who routinely claim a public document can’t be released due to an ongoing investigation, and got the video proof. This story, which affected so many due to the thousands of acres destroyed by fire, was a huge audience favorite and mine too.
Judge: Sally Stapleton is editor of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
B4. Community public safety reporting
First place: Jude Joffe-Block and Terry Greene Sterling, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
“Wrongfully detained”
Judge’s comment: Compelling writing about an important topic that includes — as the article notes — the stories we don’t often hear from wrongfully detained immigrants.
Second place: Rachel Leingang, Arizona Capitol Times
“Ducey records on pardons, commutations not forgiving”
Judge’s comment: Smart analysis featuring the voices of people affected by the governor’s decisions.
Third place: Emily Ellis, Herald/Review
“Manning the line”
Judge’s comment: Vivid writing takes you behind-the-scenes of a Border Patrol agent’s work.
Judge: Mara Gottfried is a public safety reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
C4. Statewide public safety reporting
First place: Yihyun Jeong and Dennis Wagner, Arizona Republic
“A fraying marriage of Mayo scientists, a bullet-riddled body, a trail of questions”
Judge’s comment: This article was like a book you don’t want to put down. Great storytelling techniques. It’s clear the journalists put time into getting the stories of everyone involved.
Second place: Jimmy Magahern, Phoenix Magazine
“Tooth or dare”
Judge’s comment: Descriptive writing made me feel the pain of these unlicensed dental procedures. Article casts a bright light on predatory practices.
Third place: Uriel J. Garcia, Lily Altavena and Agnel Philip, Arizona Republic
“Mesa officers rarely disciplined in excessive-force investigations, police data shows”
Judge: Mara Gottfried is a public safety reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
B5. Community politics reporting
First place: Carmen Forman, Arizona Capitol Times
Judge’s comment: These stories provided smart and insightful analysis of key policy and political issues in the governor’s race. They were thorough and fair, and extremely well-written. Excellent, thoughtful work.
Second place: Ben Giles, Arizona Capitol Times
Judge’s comment: Important and well-reported story on legislative efforts to shift the balance of power between politicians and voters. Politically astute and fair, with all sides given a chance to explain their positions. And the rundown of bills was helpful and easy to digest.
Third place: Evan Wyloge, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
Judge’s comment: Good reporting on campaign finance issues, revealing problems with an expensive state effort at transparency and providing valuable perspective on the controversy over recent changes in campaign-finance rules.
Judge: Matthew Kauffman is a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and a former investigative reporter at the Hartford Courant.
C5. John Kolbe Politics Reporting Award
First place: Dustin Gardiner and Alison Steinbach, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Strong watchdog reporting on rampant fraud in the collection of petition signatures, including good perspective on the political issues behind the race. And the reporters stayed on the story as it spread and made its way into court for yet another twist.
Second place: Alison Steinbach and Dustin Gardiner, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Great reporting on strange tale of a politician who killed his mother. Excellent work going beyond the claims to track down the real story in archives and court filings. Fair throughout, giving the politician ample opportunity to respond — and often dig himself deeper.
Third place: Dan Nowicki, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Astute writing on the legacy and political duality of John McCain, with a political insider’s knowledge, but without ever feeling like inside baseball. In addition to a strong, well-written retrospective, the stories offered a behind-the-scenes view of the Senator’s final months — evidence of the reporter’s exceptional access.
Judge: Matthew Kauffman is a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and a former investigative reporter at the Hartford Courant.
B6. Community local government reporting
First place: Alyssa Becenti, Navajo Times
Judge’s comment: Diligent and prolific watchdog reporting on the overreach of elected officials and the growing tensions with the state’s top lawyer.
Second place: Katie Campbell, Arizona Capitol Times
Third place: Heather Smathers, Casa Grande Dispatch
Judge: David Kidwell is the Special Projects Editor at the Better Government Association.
C6. Statewide local government reporting
First place: Antonia Noori Farzan, Phoenix New Times
Judge’s comment: A compellingly well-told story of voter suppression, with national implications, rich detail, a portrait of the upstart mariachi player who changed the game and the more than 2400 voters who were unfairly kept from the polls.
Second place: Jessica Boehm, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: A comprehensive examination of a mass transit system decades in the making and now threatened by political forces who don’t like the changes it wrought and the price tag it brings. It is a must read for voters who will likely see the issue on the ballot.
Third place: Murphy Woodhouse, Arizona Daily Star
Judge: David Kidwell is the Special Projects Editor at the Better Government Association.
B7. Community state government reporting
First place: Ben Giles, Arizona Capitol Times
Judge’s comment: His story on a potential code of conduct for legislators clearly and concisely detailed a complicated issue and provides readers with valuable context. Giles also did a good job selecting quotes.
Second place: Shar Porier, Herald/Review
Third place: Carmen Forman, Arizona Capitol Times
Judge: Alison Gerber is editor and director of content for the Chattanooga Times Free Press, which was a Pulitzer finalist in 2017.
C7. Statewide state government reporting
First place: Steven Hsieh, Phoenix New Times
Judge’s comment: The reporter did solid investigative work on mismanagement at the state park department and on the destruction of an archaeological site and artifacts. His writing style and clean and compelling. His work affected change.
Second place: Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Dustin Gardiner, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Comprehensive reporting on a sexist culture at the Arizona Capitol and a compelling narrative on the expulsion of a lawmaker from the Arizona House of Representatives made her work stand out.
Third place: Rachel Leingang, Uriel Garcia and Kimberly Rapanut, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Good, aggressive watchdog reporting on a lawmaker’s flagrant behavior.
Judge: Alison Gerber is editor and director of content for the Chattanooga Times Free Press, which was a Pulitzer finalist in 2017.
B8. Community health reporting
First place: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy, Arizona Mirror
Judge’s comment: By far the most fascinating story in the category. You mean to tell me my dental hygienist might be trying to upsell me on treatments to get a bump in commission? Like most great journalism, this story left me outraged.
Second place: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, West Valley View
Judge’s comment: Telling the story of one firefighter with cancer led others to reach out. These stories shed light on an important and overlooked health danger faced by these public servants.
Third place: Claire Cleveland, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
Judge’s comments: Fantastic use of data to show the depth of a growing public health crisis.
Judge: Mike Hixenbaugh is a medical reporter at the Houston Chronicle.
C8. Statewide health reporting
First place: Stephanie Innes, Arizona Daily Star
Judge’s comment: Hospital officials sought to downplay problems with their switch to a new electronic medical records system, but Stephanie Innes didn’t take their word for it. With public records and interviews, she showed the problems were worse than expected and may have endangered patients. Her work performed an important public service.
Second place: Karina Bland, Arizona Republic
Third place: Ray Stern, Phoenix New Times
Judge: Mike Hixenbaugh is a medical reporter at the Houston Chronicle.
B9. Community Nina Mason Pulliam Environmental Journalism Award
First place: Donovan Quintero, Navajo Times
Judge’s comment: Well written with a strong voice, this story offers an perspective on drought and climate change that often goes ignored. Using historical documents and traditional knowledge accumulated over generations in Native American communities, the author draws a link between the current problems caused by the ongoing drought and historical oppression of indigenous people.
Second place: Megan Janetsky, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
“Passage Prevented: Trump’s border wall threatens delicate wildlife habitat”
Judge’s comment: A deep look, with excellent photos and maps, of the challenge of building a border wall in a particular stretch of Arizona, and the potential impacts to wildlife.
Third place: Krista Allen, Navajo Times
“Thirsty mustangs die in mud; chapter looks for answers”
Judge’s comment: Stories dig into what so many mustangs are dying and what the complex causes of the deaths are. Important piece addressing complex problem.
Judges:
- Tony Bartelme is the senior projects reporter for The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina. He has been a finalist for three Pulitzer Prizes.
- Eric Lipton is a three-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting, investigative reporting and as part of team for foreign reporting.
- Oregonian reporter Kale Williams won the gold prize from the AAAS Science Journalism Awards for his series “The Loneliest Polar Bear.”
C9. Statewide Nina Mason Pulliam Environmental Journalism Award
First place: Joshua Bowling, Arizona Republic
“In Flagstaff, restoring forests to prevent fire and disaster”
Judge’s comment: The story covers seemingly all aspects of the growing threat of wildfires, using real-world examples from past infernos to highlight future risks and what is being done to mitigate them. For a long piece about a complex topic, the author did a fantastic job of keeping the reader’s attention with strategically placed details and compelling characters. The story relies on expert testimony throughout, but reads more like a well-paced novel than a story on the intricacies of forest management policy.
Second place: Craig Harris, Arizona Republic
“State Parks bulldozed archaeological sites for cabins, trails, ex-agency archaeologist says”
Judge’s comments: Important accountability reporting, well documented, and with real impact, in terms of the governor finally moving to replace the state employee accused of ignoring the requirements of the law, in terms of archaeological sites.
Third place: Megan Janetsky, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
“Passage Prevented: Trump’s border wall threatens delicate wildlife habitat”
Judge’s comments: Delving into one of the lesser-known ramifications of a wall on the southern border, the author clearly defines the problems facing wildlife in the American Southwest. The story, which was long but engaging the whole way through, deftly uses visuals to clarify the magnitude of the problem and what solutions those on the ground are pursuing.
Judges:
- Tony Bartelme is the senior projects reporter for The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina. He has been a finalist for three Pulitzer Prizes.
- Eric Lipton is a three-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting, investigative reporting and as part of team for foreign reporting.
- Oregonian reporter Kale Williams won the gold prize from the AAAS Science Journalism Awards for his series “The Loneliest Polar Bear.”
B10. Community science reporting
First place: Megan Janetsky, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
“Border Wall proposal threatens delicate wildlife habitat”
Judge’s comments: Very comprehensive story told in a very clean and understandable way. On-the-ground reporting is combined with solid research. The story warns about the potential dangers of a border wall but does not go beyond what scientists know or predict.
Second place: Jeff Gardner, Tucson Weekly
Third place: Donovan Quintero, Navajo Times
“I’m gonna get bald, 6-year-old beings second bout against rare cancer”
Award-winning journalist Dee J. Hall is the co-founder of the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.
C10. Statewide science reporting
First place: Megan Janetsky, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
“Border Wall proposal threatens delicate wildlife habitat”
Judge’s comments: Very comprehensive story told in a very clean and understandable way. On-the-ground reporting is combined with solid research. The story warns about the potential dangers of a border wall but does not go beyond what scientists know or predict.
Second place: Mikayla Mace, Arizona Daily Star
“How Arizona scientists and farmers banished the pink bollworm from the Southwest”
Judge’s comments: Good story well told including vivid descriptions, interesting history and deep understanding of the struggle of eradicating a particularly persistent pest.
Third place: Mikayla Mace, Arizona Daily Star
“UA researcher part of team effort to remove icky germs from produce”
Judge’s comments: Very interesting story on the development of natural anti-bacterials to prevent foodborne illnesses. Ripe (pun intended) with rich descriptions and explanations about the difficulty and importance of the research.
Award-winning journalist Dee J. Hall is the co-founder of the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.
B11. Community social issues reporting
First place: Emily Dieckman, Tucson Weekly
Judge’s comment: An illuminating look into the isolating conditions faced by many senior citizens in the LGBTQ+ community. Dieckman’s story is a thoughtful illustration of an under-covered community within a historically marginalized community.
Second place: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy, Arizona Mirror
Judge’s comment: An interesting read about a small community dismantled by developers that underscores a larger issue of affordable housing in the area
Third place: Cindy Yurth, Navajo Times
Judge’s comment: An important look at how domestic violence shelters struggle to keep their doors open while government funding decreases and the need for such programs grows
Judge: Anita Hassan is an Investigative reporter at the Las Vegas Review
C11. Statewide social issues reporting
First place: Mary Jo Pitzl, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Pitzl’s collection of stories on Arizona’s Department of Child Safety Department are digestible and powerful breakdowns of the complex issues faced by child welfare systems. The agency’s policies and practices are explained with clear, succinct writing. The stories are also packed with real-life examples — an often difficult task when dealing with secretive child welfare agencies. Dogged reporting, good digging and great storytelling.
Second place: Karina Bland, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: A moving narrative about a man grappling with medical choices for his wife after she suffered a near-fatal gunshot wound. Bland filled the story with gut-wrenching, vivid details that highlight the difficult life-or-death healthcare decisions too many families must often make.
Third place: Maria Polletta, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: A well-reported story on a little-discussed issue: how family courts are mediating custody battles between divorced couples on parenting their transgender child. Polletta gave excellent context about child gender exploration and highlighted the court system’s challenges in tackling such issues.
Judge: Anita Hassan is an Investigative reporter at the Las Vegas Review
B12. Community education reporting
First place: Laura Gomez, Arizona Mirror
Judge’s comment: The article and the accompanying photos and video give a strong sense of the daunting educational and life challenges facing a young Salvadoran woman who came here by herself at age 16, hoping for a fresh start, only to be blocked from enrolling in high school by a school’s not-so-subtle discrimination against immigrant and refugee students.
Judge: Paul Socolar is a longtime education reporter who founded the Philadelphia Public School Notebook, a pioneering local watchdog publication, and ran it for more than 20 years.
C12. Statewide education reporting
First place: Ricardo Cano, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Cano was reporting on the historic Arizona teacher uprising from the earliest #RedForEd actions in March. His intimate knowledge of the evolution of the protest movement and of the organizers leading it shine through in this story, which explains clearly how it grew and how the process looked to some of the key individual teachers whose actions sparked the protest. The article is complemented by strong videos and photos from the Republic depicting key moments in the protest movement and by meticulous links that allow interested readers to review earlier coverage from Cano and his colleagues and learn more about both the conditions that led to the protest and the political response to this groundbreaking movement.
Second place: Lily Altavena, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: An in-depth, inside picture of the strengths of a school that scored poorly on the state’s school rating system. By the end of this story, even strong believers in the validity of test scores would have a hard time arguing that the state’s criteria for evaluating schools are adequate.
Third place: Johanna Huckeba, The State Press
Judge’s comment: A terrific neat package describing the impact of a professor’s transformative college classroom lesson responding to Hurricane Maria. Thoroughly and meticulously reported with strong visuals, including multimedia, that draw out the connections between Arizona and Puerto Rico.
Judge: Paul Socolar is a longtime education reporter who founded the Philadelphia Public School Notebook, a pioneering local watchdog publication, and ran it for more than 20 years.
B13. Community immigration reporting
First place: Jude Joffe-Block and Terry Greene Sterling, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
“Wrongfully detained: Only a fraction of Joe Arpaio’s immigrant victims have claimed compensation for their unlawful detentions”
Judge’s comments: Hearing from the victims, understanding Arpaio’s contempt, and gauging the subsequent fear likely preventing those who are due just compensation all served to humanize what’s at stake for the undocumented immigrants the disgraced sheriff and his deputies preyed upon. Nicely done.
Second place: Laura Gomez, The Arizona Mirror
“Deaths of migrant kids underscore risks of hieleras”
Judge’s comments: Solid reporting. Speaking to migrant families over the course of several weeks to get a sense of their treatment and to understand their plight, not to mention hearing from the volunteers and groups who provide assistance, helped illustrate their struggles quite candidly. It’s great work.
Third place: Emily Ellis, Herald/Review
“Remembering the unidentified: Local group honors the lives of deceased migrants in Cochise County”
Judge’s comments: Expert use of color and background brought this live to life. Solid structure and phrasing, not to mention the reporter clearly wielding institutional knowledge of local immigration matters, helped elevate this news feature.
Judge: Michael Rodriguez is the Deputy Editor of The Monitor
C13. Statewide immigration reporting
First place: Daniel González, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Although there have been plenty of these stories reported since the zero tolerance policy came and went, this heart-wrenching read is particularly haunting. In capturing the mother’s despair and regret, the reporter successfully explained how the president’s immigration policies added yet another layer of danger to immigrant families’ already-perilous journeys — setting this apart as one of the more definitive zero tolerance pieces I’ve read.
Second place: Chris McCrory, Cronkite News
“Footsteps into America: A migrant’s journey of struggle, hope and the unknown”
Judge’s comment: By walking the reader through the grueling process, the reporter does a fine job depicting the uncertainty that comes with seeking asylum. Considering the grim reality that eight of 10 cases were denied during a five-year span, the plight of the migrants who risk their lives to flee their countries really comes into focus here.
Third place: Daniel González, Arizona Republic
“How will Mexico’s next president treat migrant caravans? City’s response may offer hint”
Judge’s comment: Great enterprise piece. It provided important insight on last year’s migrant caravans, which juxtaposed Trump’s ever-stiffening border security policies with uncertainty about an AMLO administration to provide a glimpse of impending immigration challenges between the U.S. and Mexico
Judge: Michael Rodriguez is the Deputy Editor of The Monitor
B14. Community business reporting
First place: Tom Blodgett, Community Impact Newspaper, Homebuilding in Gilbert
Judge’s comment: Blodgett uses data well to tell the story of housing growth in his community.
Judge: Greg Ryan of the Boston Business Journal won first place in investigative reporting in the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing 2017 contest.
C14. Statewide business reporting
First place: Ryan Randazzo, Arizona Republic
Autonomous vehicle series
Judge’s comment: Randazzo covers the good, the bad and the ugly of a topic of great local concern — autonomous vehicles in Arizona — with fairness and depth.
Second place: Rebekah Sanders, Arizona Republic
Here to Help AZ
Judge’s comment: Sanders’ spotlight helps those consumers who are her subjects, yes, but she chooses those subjects and reports on them in a way that will benefit many more people.
Third place: Jimmy Magahern, Phoenix Magazine
Pharma Chameleon
Judge’s comment: The downfall of John Kapoor has been covered quite a bit, but Magahern’s writing makes the reader see his fraud with fresh eyes.
Judge: Greg Ryan of the Boston Business Journal won first place in investigative reporting in the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing 2017 contest.
B15. Community sports beat reporting
First place: Christopher Boan, Explorer/Tucson Local Media
Judge’s comment: I really enjoy Christopher’s clean, uncluttered style as he captured the essence of the game and doesn’t try to overwrite. He has a very appealing flair and uses colorful phrasing with descriptive specific detail like a 5-gallon jug of water and “fitting coronation.” He added strong material with the introduction of the coach’s son and his outstanding game. Excellent story.
Second place: Brian Wright, Casa Grande Dispatch
Third place: Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi, Navajo Times
Judge: Kirk Bohls, Austin-American Statesman
C15. Statewide sports beat reporting
First place: Jeff Metcalfe, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Absolutely loved this piece. Very thorough and comprehensive. Provides wonderful picture of the subject. Love Jeff’s creative wording — Don’s love for hockey “spilled over into his sons” — and anecdotal material. Jeff mentions Broc used to “skate across the kitchen on roller skates.” Makes the story come alive. And I love the inclusion of detail like Christmas gift of a photo of the Miracle on Ice. Excellent story.
Second place: Katherine Fitzgerald, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Katherine painted a complete, well-balanced picture of her subject including his passion for prison reform. Lots of color, anecdotes and plenty of voices. Variety of sentence structure always works well and makes the story more readable and free-flowing. Strong quotes that further advance the storyline. Liked the color about overcoming scorpions and heat. Just a compelling story that was well done.
Third place: Jeff Metcalfe, Arizona Republic
Judge: Kirk Bohls, Austin-American Statesman
B16. Community sports feature reporting
First place: Christopher Boan, Explorer/Tucson Local Media
Judge’s comment: Well-rounded, well-reported look at one of football’s most popular trends
Second place: Brian Wright, Casa Grande Dispatch
Judge’s comment: Nice interview with an upcoming athlete, bolstered by a solid story structure.
Judge: Dirk Chatelain of the Omaha World-Herald
C16. Statewide sports feature reporting
First place: Alden Woods, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Every good story starts with a good idea and this one launches an excellent, finely reported narrative about underdogs hoping for a shot.
Second place: Katherine Fitzgerald, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Just when I thought the writer had covered every angle, she found more.
Third place: Jeff Metcalfe and Doug Haller, Arizona Republic
Judge: Dirk Chatelain of the Omaha World-Herald
B17. Community sports investigative reporting
No entries.
C17. Statewide sports investigative reporting
First place: Craig Harris and Anne Ryman, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: A shining example of investigative journalism, this piece unveiled the true reasons for Rich Rodriguez’s abrupt departure from Arizona. The story obtained crucial documents that served as a roadmap to take readers inside the unseemly environment Rodriguez allegedly fostered at Arizona. Sharp writing, vivid details and terrific reporting bring the whole package home.
Second place: Nate Fain, Daniel Perle and Veronica Graff, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: The reporters took a topic that’s been done many times before and made it feel fresh with in-depth reporting that evoked feeling and emotion. It’s impossible to read the piece and not be heartbroken for these former Cardinals players. The reporting is impressive in its breadth.
Third place: Anne Ryman, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: The piece is informative and interesting, and it fills the gaps in a complex saga regarding Arizona men’s basketball coach Sean Miller. Strong reporting laid out in a digestible format.
Judge: Matt Stanmyre of the Newark Star-Ledger won first place in sports investigative reporting in the Associated Press Sports Editors 2017 contest.
B18. Community sports column writing
First place: Brian Wright, Casa Grande Dispatch
Second place: Quentin Jodie, Navajo Times
Judge: Vahe Gregorian of The Kansas City Star won first place in sports column writing from the APSE and he is a 5-time winner of the National Sports Media Association’s Missouri Sportswriter of the Year.
C18. Statewide sports column writing
First place: Greg Hansen, Arizona Daily Star
Second place: Brian Wright, Casa Grande Dispatch
Third place: Quentin Jodie, Navajo Times
Judge: Vahe Gregorian of The Kansas City Star won first place in sports column writing from the APSE and he is a 5-time winner of the National Sports Media Association’s Missouri Sportswriter of the Year.
B19. Community column writing
First place: Jim Nintzel, Tucson Weekly
Judge’s comment: I love Jim Nintzel’s writing. Local politics can get pretty dry, but his columns are great entertainment and, oh by the way, informative. His story about Lea Marquez Peterson avoiding the press was hilarious. It did journalism a service in showing the public that no good comes from hiding from reporters. The John McCain piece could have been just another recitation of the late senator’s accomplishments, but McCain’s complicated, contrary spirit came alive in this truthful tribute. I laughed out loud at the Mailgate saga. I would subscribe to Tucson Weekly just to read Jim Nintzel.
Second place: Cindy Yurth, Navajo Times
Judge’s comment: I was really moved by Cindy Yurth’s columns. She is a great storyteller for a community that’s almost never covered by the media — animals. Her column about a California man who adopted a mangy reservation dog was engrossing. I finished it in one gulp and wanted more. “The One Rescue We Couldn’t Do” made me tear up; it was a beautiful piece of writing. She has a way of creating empathy that looks effortless, but it’s a skill that few writers master.
Third place: Brian Wright, Casa Grande Dispatch
Judge: Carolyn Lumsden is the former opinion editor of the Hartford Courant.
C19. Statewide column writing
First: Jim Nintzel, Tucson Weekly
Judge’s comments: Local politics can get pretty dry, but his columns are great entertainment and, oh by the way, informative. His story about Lea Marquez Peterson avoiding the press was hilarious. It did journalism a service in showing the public that no good comes from hiding from reporters. The John McCain piece could have been just another recitation of the late senator’s accomplishments, but McCain’s complicated, contrary spirit came alive in this truthful tribute. I laughed out loud at the Mailgate saga. I would subscribe to Tucson Weekly just to read Jim Nintzel.
Second: Cindy Yurth, Navajo Times
Judge’s comments: She is a great storyteller for a community that’s almost never covered by the media — animals. Her column about a California man who adopted a mangy reservation dog was engrossing. I finished it in one gulp and wanted more. “The One Rescue We Couldn’t Do” made me tear up; it was a beautiful piece of writing. She has a way of creating empathy that looks effortless, but it’s a skill that few writers master.
Third place: David Fitzsimmons, Arizona Daily Star
Judge’s comments: David Fitzsimmons is also a lovely writer. I could almost smell the mesquite in his “There’s no Christmas like an Old Pueblo Christmas.” His letter to John McCain was wonderful.
Judge: Carolyn Lumsden is the former opinion editor of the Hartford Courant.
B20. Community editorial writing
No entries.
C20. Statewide editorial writing
First: Luis Carrasco, Arizona Daily Star
Judge’s comment: if only for this paragraph in his fearless, powerfully written editorial about how Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant immigration policies almost taunt parents seeking asylum in America:
“Under President Trump, anti-immigrant feelings have been given free rein in the halls of power, with punitive policies that in their cruelty and callousness damage not only the body politic but also the national soul.”
That is the kind of bold, clear, authoritative writing that readers deserve and makes him deserving of the award for best editorial writing.
Second: Sarah Garrecht Gassen, Arizona Daily Star
Judge’s comment: (Garrecht Gassen) deserves an award for her passionate writing, including this from an editorial about Sen. Jeff Flake’s role in the Bret Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings:
“It is the Senate’s duty to weigh the candidate and decide on confirmation. Senators must not be a rubber stamp, or a rubber stamp on a brief time delay. Flake has abandoned his duty. With his vote to confirm Kavanaugh he has made himself complicit in dishonoring the role and integrity of the Supreme Court.”
Judge: Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley was the 2017 winner of the Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship.
B21. Community personality profile
First place: Cindy Yurth, Navajo Times
“A Story of Luck, or Chutzpah”
Judge’s comment: Yurth’s profile of Japanese photographer Kenji Kawano skillfully balances his own story and work and the history or the Navajo community to whom he’s dedicated himself; she’s chosen a fascinating subject, and has made what could be an insular community and topic accessible.
Second place: Jeff Gardner, Tucson Weekly
“Burçin’s Galaxy”
Judge’s comment: It’s always impressive when a writer can communicate volumes with an economy of words. Gardner’s piece on on Burçin Mutlu-Pakdil is short, but he picks the perfect quotes and details to include — it creates a mood and a portrait, and readers are left with a palpable sense of Mutlu-Pakdil’s joy in her vocation.
Third place: Katie Campbell, Arizona Capitol Times
“Transgender Judge Takes Bench as Gender Issues Heat Up”
Judge’s comment: Tracey Nadzieja was bound to end up in the spotlight just based on who she is and the position she occupies, and she’s lucky to have Katie Campbell shining that light. Campbell’s piece has a directness and a matter-of-fact tone that helps readers connect with her subject and allows Nadzieja’s own voice to come through.
Judge: Michelle Weber is a senior editor at Longreads.
C21. Statewide personality profile
First place: Alden Woods, Arizona Republic
Mark Kelly profile
Judge’s comment: Woods’ deep dive into Mark Kelly has great pacing. Woods walks a perfect line between being visible as the writer who’s shaping the portrait of his subject, and letting Kelly speak for himself. The resulting profile is engaging, insightful, and has an energetic cadence that mirrors Kelly’s own drive.
Second place: Stephanie Innes, Arizona Daily Star
“For Longtime Tucson Catholic Priest, a Reluctant Retirement”
Judge’s comment: In Innes’ capable hands, Father Robert Fuller’s story isn’t just the story of Father Bob — it’s also the story of the parishioners he’s touched, a history lesson, and an exploration of the diversity within Catholicism. She weaves these strands together to create one coherent whole that’s heartwarming but not saccharine, just like Father Bob.
Third place: Cindy Yurth, Navajo Times
“A Story of Luck, or Chutzpah”
Judge: Michelle Weber is a senior editor at Longreads.
B22. Community human interest writing
First place: Brian Smith, Tucson Weekly
Judge’s comment: An excellent profile on a 71-year-old man and his decades old salvage business. Smith used amazing details and great dialogue to tell story. The end result is rich, colorful portrait of Jack Martin and his Jack’s Gov’t Surplus trucks.
Second place: Emily Ellis, Herald/Review
Judge’s comment: This story was an interesting read. Ellis used the community emotions tied to a military band’s last performance in Sierra Vista to a larger national issue about national budgets cuts to Army band funding.
Third place: Danyelle Khmara, Tucson Weekly
Judge’s comment: A thorough story about a group of new residents transforming an old mining town. Using detailed reporting, Khmara described the rich history of the Arizona town and the colorful characters trying to give it new life.
Judge: Anita Hassan is an Investigative reporter at the Las Vegas Review.
C22. Statewide human interest writing
First place: Alden Woods, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Woods used simple, active sentences to write a powerful narrative that gives a close-up view of small FLDS community living near the Arizona-Utah border. This deeply-reported story gives an insightful perspective on the FLDS members struggling to adhere to their faith and maintain control of their community post Warren Jeffs’s conviction. Woods beautifully wove together the history of the community, church members and those who returned to town to reclaim their homes. A fascinating read from beginning to end.
Second place: Perla Trevizo and Fernanda Echavarri, Arizona Daily Star/NPR
Judge’s comment: Heartbreaking and inspiring. Trevizo and Echavarri do a phenomenal job telling the story a family separated for nearly a decade to illustrate the impacts of the country’s troubled and complex immigration system. This compelling story captured the delicate nuances of a mother’s sacrifice for her children, and their family’s struggle to keep their bond intact. In-depth reporting and great writing. This story is incredibly moving.
Third place (tie): John D’Anna and Megan Janetsky, Arizona Republic
Judge: Anita Hassan is an Investigative reporter at the Las Vegas Review.
B23. Community short-form writing
First place: Ben Giles, Arizona Capitol Times
Second place: Heather Smathers, Casa Grande Dispatch
Third place: Ben Giles, Arizona Capitol Times
Judge: Samantha Swindler is a columnist for The Oregonian/ OregonLive.com focusing on the people, places and issues in Washington County.
C23. Statewide short-form writing
First place: Karina Bland, Arizona Republic
Second place: Angela Pittenger, #ThisIsTucson
Third place: Scott Craven, Arizona Republic
Honorable mention: Robrt L. Pela, Phoenix New Times
Judge: Samantha Swindler is a columnist for The Oregonian/ OregonLive.com focusing on the people, places and issues in Washington County.
B24. Community arts criticism
First place: Cindy Yurth, Navajo Times
“Long Walk Home”
Judge’s comment: It’s tempting to write a hit piece when a book has problems. Cindy Yurth makes it clear what those issues are, but doesn’t ignore the book’s strong elements, which are enough to hold promise for future works. Readers can make informed decisions about whether to give it a chance, with thanks to Yurth.
Second place: Margaret Regan, Tucson Weekly
“Desert corridors”
Third place: Margaret Regan, Tucson Weekly
“Back to the Source”
Judge: Sharon Chapman is features editor of the Austin American Statesman.
C24. Statewide arts criticism
First: Kathleen Allen, Arizona Daily Star
“Galileo, a centuries-old story, speaks to us today at Tucson’s Rogue Theatre”
Judge’s comment: Conversational and lively, Allen’s review draws parallels between a centuries-old story and today without condescending or over-explaining. Love the playful attitude in lines such as “Oh, that got him into a load of trouble.”
Second: Robrt L. Pela, Phoenix New Times
“Text and the City: Natalie Margolin Explains Why Commas Matter”
Judge’s comment: He keeps it short and active and makes me wish I had seen this production. Lines such as ‘They’re yelling because inebriated, passionate young women don’t have “inside voices” when they’re discussing a cute guy they just met at the bar. ‘ draw the reader in and paint a clear picture of what to expect from this show.
Third: Ed Masley, Arizona Republic
“Bob Dylan’s first U.S. performance of 2018 a freewheelin’ mix of reinvented classics in Phoenix”
Judge’s comment: The structure of this review is appealing: The first part gives us big picture context, followed by highlights from this particular show. Also, smart use of social embeds to add to the piece.
Judge: Sharon Chapman is features editor of the Austin American Statesman.
B25: Community arts reporting
First place: Emily Dieckman, Tucson Weekly
“Dreamscape Dining: Things Get Surreal at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Fall Fundraiser”
Judge’s comment: Dieckman takes us inside the Tucson Museum of Contemporary Art’s weird fundraiser, and it’s a strange and — dare we say it? — surreal evening. And the story’s a hoot. We get a taste of the food, which at times looks red; a glimpse at the attendees’ attire, which is red and every other color under the rainbow; and a bit of the overheard conversation, which not surprisingly includes a reference to Salvador Dali. There’s a bed with four posters covered in peanut butter, and that isn’t the oddest accessory. This is a well-crafted narrative that reveals the oddities of the event without casting judgment. Along the way, you’ll laugh and probably even cringe. And you’ll feel as though you were there.
Second place: Brian Smith, Tucson Weekly
“Tucson Salvage: Billy Sedlmayr, Bowed But Unbroken”
Judge’s comment: Smith captures the spirit of Billy Sedlmayr, a musician with issues, in this wonderfully written account of his friend. The tone is conversational, and at times first person, and the details help illuminate the nuances of a life lived well – and hard.
Third place: Brian Smith, Tucson Weekly
“Tucson Salvage: Meet the Johnny Appleseed of Magic”
Judge’s comment: Nice pacing and wordplay grace this portrait of Emory Williams Jr., a magic man who loves to teach his trade to those with fewer mystical abilities.
Judge: Jim Haag, former features editor at The Virginian-Pilot, is a member of the board of directors – and a past president – of the Society for Features Journalism.
C25. Statewide arts reporting
First: John D’Anna, Arizona Republic
“Why Barry Goldwater’s Granddaughter Wants to Share his Photography with the World”
Judge’s comment: This is an intriguing look at a lesser-known side – his penchant for photography – of one of the state’s favorite sons, Barry Goldwater, and his granddaughter’s efforts to share his work with the public. Readers learn how Goldwater became interested in shooting pictures – as a kid, he’d surreptitiously use his mother’s camera – and how that interest developed into a passion. The story explains how Goldwater’s photographic legacy could disappear – the negatives are slowly disintegrating – and how high the cost would be to digitally convert those images. Informative, educational and well-written.
Second place: Emily Dieckman, Tucson Weekly
“Dreamscape Dining: Things Get Surreal at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Fall Fundraiser”
Judge’s comment: Dieckman takes us inside the Tucson Museum of Contemporary Art’s weird fundraiser, and it’s a strange and – dare we say it? – surreal evening. And the story’s a hoot. We get a taste of the food, which at times looks red; a glimpse at the attendees’ attire, which is red and every other color under the rainbow; and a bit of the overheard conversation, which not surprisingly includes a reference to Salvador Dali. There’s a bed with four posters covered in peanut butter, and that isn’t the oddest accessory. This is a well-crafted narrative that reveals the oddities of the event without casting judgment. Along the way, you’ll laugh and probably even cringe. And you’ll feel as though you were there.
Third place: Robrt L. Pela, Phoenix New Times
“On 40 Years of Listening to Linda Ronstadt”
Judge’s comment: You don’t have to be a Linda Ronstadt fan to enjoy – and understand – Pela’s first-person essay about his obsession with the singer. The piece is humorous, honest and a helluva good time. Pela might travel to the beat of a different drum but, as long as he keeps writing pieces like this, we can’t let go.
B26. Community food and beverage reporting
First place: Krista Allen, Navajo Times
“Food is healing”
Second place: Amy Young, Phoenix New Times
“All in the Family: ‘Mom-and-Pop’ Restaurants Give Metro Phoenix a Distinct Flavor”
Third place: Cindy Yurth, Navajo Times
“Dine cuisine making ripples in slow food world”
C26. Statewide food and beverage reporting
First place: Dominic Armato
“Taco Chelo: Food and art traditions blend at new Phoenix taqueria”
Second place: Dominic Armato
“The Killer Dish: Pomo’s focaccia di Recco probably isn’t what you think”
Third place: Dominic Armato
“Rancho Pinot turns 25: How one chef has built a culinary icon in Scottsdale”
B27. Community headline writing
First place: Lee Shappell, East Valley Tribune
Judge’s comment: In a field of entries dominated by puns, [“Snap, crackle, pop: Black Hawks’ defenders are serial tacklers”] stands out for its action and originality.
Second place: Eloy Enterprise
Judge’s comment: [“No child left behind. 100% of SCVUHS students in this year’s class graduate”] makes effective use of a widely understood educational expression.
Third place: Lee Shappell, East Valley Tribune
Judge’s comment: [“I don’t have a screw loose but I have 8 in my leg from adult tackle football”] is just fun, matches well the tone of a first-person column.
C27. Statewide headline writing
First place: Dave Ord, Arizona Daily Star
Judge’s comment: “Scum like it hot” … was my favorite headline of all the entries. “Owl hell breaks loose” … is irresistible. I had to read these stories, so the headlines did their main job. And I gained respect for pond scum.
Second place: Noah Austin, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: “A CENTURY IN THE BAKING” is literally true and a nice play on words. “All the news on Fitz, we print” is a clever spin on one of the most famous phrases in newspapering, a great choice for a journalism contest.
Third place: Lee Shappell, East Valley Tribune
Judge’s comment: “Acupuncture franchisee sticks to what worked for her” is thoroughly accurate and the verb hit the spot. Also nice: “East Valley choir students carrying a tune all the way to Australia.”
Judge: Copy Editor Rich Mills, of the Omaha World-Herald, won the ACES headline contest in 2017.
Design contest
D1. Community front-page layout/design
First place: Bethany Strunk, Herald/Review
Judge’s comment: The Herald/Review front page shows an effort to maximize the impact of its main art with clever layout touches. Adding color from the photograph into supporting design elements is a good effort. The down page refers are kept simple, which also helps elevate the main story on the page. On quibble: the nameplate is difficult to read on top of a busy part of the photograph.
Second place: Bobby Olson, Navajo Times
Judge’s comment: The Navajo Times front page is a spirited effort with flag headline and strong photography.
Judge: Michael Price is the Design Director of The San Diego-Union Tribune.
D2. Community non-deadline layout/design
First place: David Diaz, Sierra Vista Herald
“Larry lines up for 15th year”
Judge’s comment: The Southern Cochise County sports cover on Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald wins because of the designers effort to include not just dominant visuals and graphic design touches, but information that is relevant to telling the story. The breakout box on Fitzgerald’s performance is a valuable second beat.
Second place: Bethany Strunk, Herald/Review
“Guiding Isn’t Easy”
Judge’s comment: The Herald/Review’s Rock Climbing Adventure page tries to combine bold design choices with useful information. The inclusion of the box with details on how to sign up for the adventure makes the colorful and energetic design useful.
Third place: Brittney Trojanowski, Sierra Vista Herald
“Ultraviolet”
Judge’s comment: The designer has created a layered page with some fun touches.
Judge: Michael Price is the Design Director of The San Diego-Union Tribune.
D3. Statewide Page One layout/design
First place: Rick Konopka, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comments: “An elegant display that isolates the major news of the day with generous white space and a subtle image. The result yields tremendous impact. The story count is mindful of the solemn news, and the reader is methodically drawn across the page.”
Second place: Maria Camou, Arizona Daily Star
Judge’s comments: An appropriate, tasteful use of illustration to reflect the solemnity of the news and provide a tasteful keepsake edition.
Third place: Maria Camou, Arizona Daily Star
Judge’s comments: Strong selection of emotional photos provides impact and takes the reader into the centerpiece story.
Judge: Michael Price is the Design Director of The San Diego-Union Tribune.
D4. Statewide non-deadline layout/design
First place: Merry Eccles, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Simply brilliant conceptual and illustrative work that ranks among the best Opinion presentation in not only Arizona, but in the nation. A textbook example of how a simple layout format can yield outstanding design when creative approaches to blending word and image flourish.
Second place: Merry Eccles, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: A very impressive portfolio of work that combines creative typography and illustration. The results are cover designs that invite readers and actually make them think.
Third place: Merry Eccles, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comments: A solid portfolio of work that is the product of good conceptual approaches to conveying stories with equally good execution.
Honorable mention: Rick Konopka, Arizona Republic
Judge’s comment: Strong, conceptual approach for A1 design that brings impact for enterprise reporting while presenting a prioritized report of the day’s news.
Judge: Michael Price is the Design Director of The San Diego-Union Tribune.
D5. Statewide tabloid/magazine cover design
First place: Designer Merry Eccles and creative director Tricia Reinhold, Arizona Republic
“Reflecting on the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
Judge’s comments: The designer for the entry “Reflecting on the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr” uses sophisticated typography and a carefully edited color palette for this cover design. The headline and quote treatments give the reader all the pertinent information without overpowering the background illustration. Each piece of this design works with the other harmoniously and the design clearly communicates to the reader that this section is something special.
Second place: Designer Merry Eccles and creative director Tricia Reinhold, Arizona Republic
“The Old West”
Third place: Zach Bomar, Herald/Review
“Bisbee bee biz”
Judge: Jen Cieslak is the Art Director for Advance Local.
D6. Statewide multi-page design
First place: Maria Camou, Arizona Daily Star
Border-Section
Judge’s comments: Big photos draw the reader into this story that has so much factual information, but is really about the human beings at the heart of the issue. A nice variety of infographics help tell the facts at a glance as you progress through the section.
Second place: Maria Camou, Arizona Daily Star
McCain-Section
Judge’s comments: The opening page of this entry is simple but inviting. The layers of typography provide visual texture along with some welcome air on the page.
Third place: Merry Eccles, Arizona Republic
Judge: Mims Copeland is an editor at The Oregonian.
D7. Statewide illustration, drawn
First place: Chiara Bautista, Arizona Daily Star
“Mariachi”
Judge’s comments: This infographic employs several drawings that deftly illustrate the diversity of music in a traditional mariachi group. While the graphic is written in Spanish, the illustrations are clear and concise enough to cross the language barrier — teaching the reader about the musicians and their instruments, even without using words. The illustrations give the reader many points of entry into the graphic, and help make an otherwise-text-heavy page into an approachable, educational and attractive piece of explanatory journalism.
Second place: Bethany Strunk, Herald/Review
“Summer Road Maintenance”
Judge: Jen Cieslak is the Art Director for Advance Local.
D8. Statewide illustration, photo-based
First place: Merry Eccles, Arizona Republic
“We could’ve predicted teacher crisis”
Judge’s comments: A very inventive way to illustrate the story and is cleanly executed. Also appreciated how the artist cleverly integrated it with the other page elements.
Second place: Merry Eccles, Arizona Republic
“Civility and dissent”
Judge’s comments: Very effective use of white space to craft the meaning of the image.
Third place: Merry Eccles, Arizona Republic
“Surviving the cuts”
Judge’s comments: The surprising visual twist effectively and amusingly illustrates the page
Judge: Wes Rand is an editorial artist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Student contest
E1. Student investigative reporting
First place: Kianna Gardner, News21
“Social Media: Where voices of hate find a place to preach”
Judge’s comment: A bold and thorough examination of hatred on social media, with some chilling prospects for modern America.
Second place: Mia Armstrong, The State Press
“ASU uses mandatory reporting to fight sexual misconduct on campus”
Judge’s comment: A busy and important year of reporting for Mia Armstrong includes this untold story of the burden placed on students who are mandatory reporters of sexual misconduct.
Third place: Isaac Windes, The State Press
“The Elephant in the Room”
Judge’s comment: A well-written and brave examination of white supremacy on campus.
Judge: Karen de Sá of the San Francisco Chronicle won first place in her division in the Investigative Reporters and Editors 2017 contest.
E2. Student news reporting
First place: Corey Hawk, Cronkite News
“Grand Canyon gap: Arizona national parks need $531 million to fix roads, buildings”
Judge’s comment: This was really well done. The maps and charts, images and video really add to the presentation. The story was well-organized and well-sourced. The scope of this story and how you weave in examples from across the country is really impressive. Lots of depth to expose a funding challenge that’s putting our national treasures at risk.
Second place: Rebecca Spiess, Cronkite News
“No more deaths duels with border patrol over water and food drops for migrants”
Judge’s comment: This story impressed me in so many ways. First, it was an angle and approach not really being told during the whole border debate. Secondly, the data really helps the reader understand the scope of the problem and the discrepancies between the two sides. Thirdly, you have great storytelling skills. You add just the right details in just the right places. Truly great work.
Third place: Kailey Broussard, Amy-Xiaoshi DePaola, Harrison Mantas and Lindsay Walker, Cronkite News
“Challenge to law could redefine Native American foster care, adoptions”
Judge’s comment: This story had all of the things I look for when I’m looking for a good story to tell. It’s complex and compelling, and the writers did a great job weaving the human dimension with the history and legal battle. I also really enjoyed how the story laid out the push and pull between the federal government, the tribes, the adoptive families and what’s best for the children from all angles.
Judge: Corina Curry of the Rockford Register Star is a 2017 Sigma Delta Chi Award winner for her coverage of racial inequities in Rockford’s public schools.
E3. Student features reporting
First place: Lillian Donahue, Cronkite News
“Full circle: Urban Native American family keeps Apache traditions alive through hoop dancing”
Judge’s comment: Beautiful lede. Thorough reporting and excellent storytelling. The hearts of the subjects come through this story. Excellent use of multi-media.
Second place: Karishma Albal and Maya Shrikant, The State Press
“Why do some labs drown in funding while others dry up?”
Judge’s comment: Important topic, several examples used to illustrate the issue.
Third place: Johanna Huckeba, The State Press
“ASU professor teaches in the dark as students in Puerto Rico wait for light”
Judge’s comment: A nice point of entry to a story being told around the country.
Judge: Leigh Hornbeck of the Times Union in Albany, New York won third place in the short feature category of the Society for Features Journalism 2017 contest.
E4. Student sports reporting
Results delayed.
Arizona Photojournalism Awards
X01 Metro – Picture Story
First Place: Rob Schumacher, Arizona Republic
“Thousand Oaks Shooting & Fire”
Judge’s comment: First and second distinguished themselves through outstanding composition that framed the event powerfully, from image to image. Ultimately First gets the nod because it has a greater range of event, mobility and sense of crisis than second which, while graphically superior and surprising at every turn, comes up a little bit short. And that can be hard to quantify because both required considerable enterprise. But in the end the nod goes to the story that had less apparent pre-approved access, and therefore becomes more thoughtful because it’s done on the run.
Second Place: Rob Schumacher, Arizona Republic
“Farewell Sen. McCain”
Third Place: Mike Christy, Arizona Daily Star
“De La Rosa”
Judge’s comment: Third and the Honorable Mention were difficult to distinguish as to which was superior. “Migrant Families” has some powerful imagery — particularly the sunset over the border — but came up shorter on the depth of the experience than the dying elderly man which suffers from a lack of middle story. It jumps rapidly to its conclusion, and clearly access was limited in his dying hours, but the photographer was in command of the time he had access to.
Honorable Mention: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
“Migrant Families”
Judges: Seattle Times photo staff
X02 Metro – News
First Place: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
“Band Aid”
Judge’s comment: What distinguishes news in almost every case is unpredictability and unexpected surprises. So it goes for first place with the firemen rescuing musical instruments from a burning building. You just can’t make that stuff up. It has an element of absurdity that makes for a great photograph.
Second Place: Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star
“Kiss”
Judge’s comment: A genuinely sweet moment that feels as if it’s captured mid-moment, versus a predictable reaction to events. Which is it say as the man reads from the paper the moment happens, and that requires the photographer to be ready at a moment’s notice to frame and fire.
Third Place: Rob Schumacher, Arizona Republic
“Flood Rescue”
Judges: Seattle Times photo staff
X03 Metro – Feature
First Place: Tom Tingle, Arizona Republic
“Ostrich Ride”
Judge’s comments: You just can’t make this stuff up. That’s what makes a great feature picture. It’s a level of scratching your head in disbelief that such a thing could be real, and that seemingly produces its authenticity. The Ostrich Ride is crazy and cute, and well framed that, well, you just can’t make this stuff up.
Second Place: Rob Schumacher, Arizona Republic
“Icy Ride”
Judge’s comment: The icy ride is a thinking photographer’s approach to content. Looking far and wide for the broader content that frames the picture being made with a particular context.
Third Place: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
“Cymbals”
Judge’s comment: The photographer sees what distinguishes something from the obvious and works it until they get it.
Judges: Seattle Times photo staff
X04 Metro – Portrait
First Place: Tom Tingle, Arizona Republic
“Love No Matter What”
Judge’s comment: Context isn’t always the most important thing in a portrait, but what it can do is frame the moment with all the power and emotion that leads to understanding. That’s true of first, the elderly couple’s embrace, framed by the side-by-side beds that tells you so much about where they are in this stage of their lives.
Second Place: Mark Henle, Arizona Republic
“Medicine Man”
Third Place: A.E. Araiza, Arizona Daily Star
“Prisoner”
Judges: Seattle Times photo staff
X05 Metro – Pictorial
First Place: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
“Sunset”
Judge’s comment: A great category. And the winners always have an element of commonality: where composition and planning meet. First distinguishes itself by a strategy involving lens selection and timing, along with framing (hillside at its peak). Perfectly composed and executed, but also with a sense of being fleeting.
Second Place: David Wallace, Arizona Republic
“Monsoon”
Third Place: Mike Christy, Arizona Daily Star
“Cloud Walk”
Judges: Seattle Times photo staff
X06 Metro – Sports Action
First Place: Cheryl Evans, Arizona Republic
“Underwater”
Judge’s comment: Sports action is almost impossible to predict, and almost always has more than one thing going for it. First requires planning and luck — the perfect combination in sports photography — and still things have to go right for it to succeed.
Second Place: Patrick Breen, Arizona Republic
“Blood”
Judge’s comment: A “holy cow” kind of moment where the blood is the one thing in focus and suspended in mid-air. Happy accident or not it communicates the intensity and brutality of the moment.
Third Place: Rob Schumacher, Arizona Republic
“Sunset Jump”
Judge’s comment: Third requires a lot of things to be successful, not the least of which is repeatedly trying to capture the moment without burning out one’s retina. The photographer knows what they’re looking for but requires persistence to get there.
Judges: Seattle Times photo staff
X07 Metro – Sports Feature
First Place: Rob Schumacher, Arizona Republic
“Rory Finds Trouble in the Azalea”
Judge’s comments: Everything comes together for first place where Rory McIlroy finds himself in trouble, and the photographer finds the absurdity in the situation. Perfectly composed, and a significant moment.
Second Place: Christian Petersen, Getty Images
“Losing the Fight”
Judge’s comment: ‘Losing the fight’, clearly McGregor losing a UFC bout, is the climax of an event showing exasperation and defeat in an unbeatable combination.
Third Place: Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
“Passing Clouds”
Judge’s comment: ‘Passing Clouds’ could just as easily have own in pictorial. This is a feature category, but in any category, it’s got to work fast; and this does. Spectacular image, timing, composition and printing.
Judges: Seattle Times photo staff
C01 Non-Metro – Picture Story
Did not reach minimum entry requirement to be judged.
C02 Non-Metro – News
First Place: Donovan Quintero, Navajo Times
“Wall”
Second Place: Paul Ingram, Tucson Sentinel
“Night Scene”
Third Place: Donovan Quintero, Navajo Times
“Rally”
Judges: Associated Press photo staff
C03 Non-Metro – Feature
First Place: Donovan Quintero, Navajo Times
“Veteran”
Second Place: Ravonelle Yazzie, Navajo Times
“Roping Girl”
Third Place: Donovan Quintero, Navajo Times
“Flood”
Judges: Associated Press photo staff
C04 Non-Metro – Portrait
First Place: Donovan Quintero, Navajo Times
“Navajo Man”
Second Place: Donovan Quintero, Navajo Times
“Eagle Feathers”
Third Place: Ravonelle Yazzie, Navajo Times
“Prize Chicken”
Judges: Associated Press photo staff
C05 Non-Metro – Sports
First Place: Donovan Quintero, Navajo Times
“Basketball Dive”
Second Place: Ravonelle Yazzie, Navajo Times
“Bull Rider”
Third Place: Paul Natonabah, Navajo Times
“Jump Shot”
Judges: Associated Press photo staff