Division 1 winners of SFJ 2024 Excellence-in-Features journalism awards

We’re thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Society for Features Journalism’s Excellence-in-Features contest!

To be clear, winning this contest is no easy feat. Our judges fielded nearly 1,000 entries this year, so a huge congratulations goes to the three winners in each category. In some cases, limiting the winners to three simply could not be done, so there are a few ties and honorable mentions.

Read on to be inspired and amazed by your hardworking features colleagues.

The SFJ Board of Directors would like to extend its thanks to the many judges who volunteered their time to help SFJ celebrate the craft of storytelling in words, videos and podcasts.

Here are the winners in Division 1, along with judges’ comments about what made this year’s entries so stellar. First-place winners (except in Sweepstakes Awards) will receive a $300 prize.

Click here for the Division 2 winners or Division 3 winners.

Once again, congratulations to all, and thank you to everyone who entered this year’s contest! 

DIVISION 1: Circulation up to 90,000

FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS: This honor recognizes the organizations in each division that have won the most awards. No entry is necessary. Instead, points are assigned for each of the winning entries: 20 points for first place, 15 points for second place, 10 points for third place and 5 points for honorable mention. The organizations with the highest number of points receive the sweepstakes awards.

First place: The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette. First-place awards in visual storytelling, special section, special product and inclusion and representation. Second-place award in food feature. Third-place awards in general feature (2,500 words+), visual storytelling and feature writing portfolio. Honorable mention awards in general feature (1,000-2,499 words) and food writing portfolio.

Second place: Deseret News. First-place award in narrative storytelling. Second-place awards in general features (1,000-2,499 words), feature beat specialty writing and first-person narrative. Third-place awards in arts and entertainment feature, first-person narrative/essay and general commentary. Honorable mention awards in arts and entertainment feature, general commentary portfolio and feature writing portfolio.

Third (TIE): The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier. First-place awards in general feature (2,500 words+), general feature (1,000-2,499 words), special series or project, sports feature and feature writing portfolio.

Third (TIE): The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com. First-place awards in food feature, food criticism portfolio and food writing portfolio. Second-place awards in general feature (999 words or fewer) and special section. Third-place award in feature beat specialty writing portfolio.
 

GENERAL FEATURE (2,500+ words): Longform storytelling at its finest

First place: Tony Bartelme and Gavin McIntyre, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, Finding the Clotilda: Inside the search for infamous slave ship
Judge’s comment: The top entries in this category were all superb. The decision on first/second/third was sort of agonizing. But it was, apparently, necessary. I was astonished by the lyricism/beauty/pacing/subtlety in this piece, “Finding the Clotilda,” by Tony Bartelme. We live in a media/entertainment culture that has allowed us to become immersed in and devoted to flashy things. Quick fixes. Tidy endings. (And don’t forget the explosions!) But reading this narrative about history and who writes it, about crimes whose perpetrators can never be absolved, about passions that have no place in the Marvel Universe, about truth-seekers who value the journey almost as much as the destination … made this reader feel as she might be headed “north toward the Tensaw River, swollen and silty from heavy rains.” Rather than a race, Bartelme allows us the luxury of time and discovery and an acknowledgement that history (and memory) “is not static.” The discoveries, large and small, in “Finding the Clotilda” glimmer like lanterns along a path.

Second place: Joe Capozzi, ByJoeCapozzi.com, The Bicyclist and The Bridgetender: The Happy Life, Tragic Death and Lasting Legacy of Carol Wright.
Judge’s comment: Within a few paragraphs, the reader comes to understand the end of this story. It's a tribute to the writer that he sustains and nurtures our interest for 10,000 words and makes us yearn for a very different outcome. You can't read "The Bicyclist and the Bridgetender" and not wish you'd lived next door to Carol Wright.

Third place: Stephanie Earls, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, Extended Stay: After an eviction, motel limbo is the only option for this Colorado Springs family. If they can afford it.
Judge’s comment: I kept thinking of "Extended Stay" as the Heartbreak Hotel. All (most?) of us probably think we've mastered an understanding of living on the edge... of teetering on the brink of homelessness, thanks to the stories we write and edit. But "Extended Stay" is not a narrative we come across very often — the story of people who could not stop a (metaphorical) train wreck. This story of this family should hurt our hearts and compel us to dig deep when thinking and talking about economic inequality and a lack of a safety net in America.

Honorable mention: Robert Fieseler, 64 Parishes, A Bar Called Charlene’s.

GENERAL FEATURE (1,000-2,499 words): Feature storytelling at its finest

First place: Alan Hovorka, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, We went to the secret clown show at North Charleston motel. It was a fever dream.
Judge’s comment: Stunning, weird, and so, so cool. Literally made me laugh out loud and comes complete with a surprise ending. Delightful.

Second place: Samuel Benson, Deseret News, RFK’s big gamble
Judge’s comment: Very perceptive detail inclusion; writer clearly knows his background, as well. He was able to contextualize RFK’s run for his readers, as well as bring to light some very interesting shades of gray to the candidate that broader journalists aren’t capturing. Did a really excellent job showing RFK's refusal to cooperate and answer certain questions, while still so well informing the reader that it literally did not matter RFK would not respond.

Third place: Kelly Meyerhofer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Before its doors close, UW-Richland honors quirky campus tradition one more time.
Judge’s comment: Richly reported, precise. Follows several groups, detail is strong but not overwhelming. Strong sense of place, and reason for the feature. What local features should be — I felt like I was in the car, driving through Wisconsin with the teams competing in the Rallye. Found myself thinking about it days after reading it — just terrific.

Honorable mention: Stephanie Earls, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, The story of a street: Growth brings new worries, end of an old-school vibe, to Colorado Springs neighbors.

GENERAL FEATURE (999 words or fewer): Excellence in short feature writing

First place: Karen Hendricks, York Daily Record, York man has pulled 26,000 pieces of trash from the Susquehanna — 1 boatload at a time.
Judge’s comment: Everything in Karen Hendricks' piece on the trash collector of the Susquehanna is there for a reason. Each quote and description is carefully chosen to paint a picture of a dedicated guy with a quiet sense of humor and an unusual passion. Hendricks reminds me what it's like to relax, know I'm in good hands and enjoy the read.

Second place: Doug MacCash, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com, Oh Lawd, have you heard the driving navigation app with the Chalmette accent?
Judge’s comment: It's hard not to smile while reading Doug MacCash's piece on the Chalmette HeyBrah voice that leads drivers around the tangled streets of a certain part of New Orleans. It's also hard not to learn something along the way — about history, linguistics and class. MacCash uses just enough of the regional accent in his story to make a point without seeming forced or patronizing. Your mind won't wander as you take in this sweet and funny tale, so there's no need for the best reminder ever to snap to: “Oh Lawd, reroutin,’ reroutin,’ here we go.”

Third place: Andrea Brown and Janice Podsada, The (Everett, Wash.) Daily Herald, We’ve got mail! And we’re still surfing the web with AOL email addresses.
Judge’s comment: Andrea Brown and Janice Podsada take us on a bumpy ride into our digital past, and they aren't afraid to poke fun at themselves along the way. Their combined voices are warm and silly and a pleasure to read.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE: Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic

First place: Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, A Holocaust letter defied victimhood with love. A mother’s last note now lives on in song.
Judge’s comment: The topic drew me in. Domenica's words kept me reading. I was engulfed a little more with this story than the other contestants, respectfully.

Second place: Rachel Gallaher, Seattle Magazine, When Bad Meat is a Good Thing.
Judge’s comment: I didn’t know much about Alice Gosti’s work, but Rachel delves deep into her work well enough to entice me to learn more.

Third place: Lottie Elizabeth Johnson, Deseret News, Kodi Lee had the most viral moment in 'AGT' history. This is his story.
Judge’s comment: It’s sometimes hard to humanize celebrities. But Lottie navigates this well with the help of Kodi Lee’s mother.

Honorable mention: Meg Walter, Deseret News, When Ryan Hamilton was hit by a bus, he wanted it to be a tragedy. Really, it’s a comedy.

FOOD FEATURE: A single story on food, not including reviews or commentary

First place: Ian McNulty, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com, New Orleans to his core, chef Frank Brigtsen preserves the old ways of cooking by teaching
Judge’s comment: Well-told story with vivid opening that draws us in by capturing the sights, sounds and smells. Also, an important story for the city's culture: “I realized that this is how Creole culinary heritage has been passed down for generations. Not in culinary schools, but in kitchens,” Brigtsen said.

Second place: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, A food revolution continues at Tocabe, Denver's home of Indigenous eats | Craving Colorado
Judge’s comment: Fine lede, nicely paced with excellent use of quotes. Spare, tight writing with delicious descriptions of food. Love the varying lengths of sentences and paragraphs, which keep the writing lively. Nice: Regarding fry bread: To some, it is a symbol of perseverance. To others, a symbol of pain. And as any American knows, conversations pair well with food. “Native first, local second,” Jacobs says. “It’s always more important for us to put our food budget back into Native communities first. And I was like, Of course I’m mad. But I’m more angry about how people are treated now.” He can’t change the past. But he’s trying to change the present way he sees America’s food system ignoring rural reservations.

Third place: (TIE) Amanda Hancock, (Louisville, Ky.) Courier Journal, How one Goshen store owner helped save a popular barbeque spot after a 'total loss' fire.
Judge’s comment: Lovely storytelling. I was rooting for “Donna of Skylight.” Her offer to host It was Donna of Skylight with an offer to host Bully Barbeque’s now mobile unit outside her store. One regular, John Smith, said Foree "turned a hole-in-the-wall place into something really special." Love this story about dining that is really about people, relationships and community.

Third place (TIE) Maggie Heyn Richardson, 225 Magazine (Baton Rouge, La.), Takes the (tea) cake
Judge’s comment: Light, breezy read about a culinary tradition. Makes you want to head out and try them. Good use of quotes with just the right touch of “expert” opinion.

FOOD CRITICISM: A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry

First place: Ian McNulty, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com, At La Crepe Nanou, 40 years, fondue for one, a life lesson that endures.
Judge’s comment: A lovely, evocative story. I felt like I was there with the writer, both at their remembered first-time dining at this spot, under the tutelage of a host who picked up the check for a bunch of anxious 20-somethings, and as an older, wiser person coming back to dine alone while channeling that earlier time. Food is as much about memory, and life experience, as it is about flavor. This sweet piece captures it all.

Second place: Matthew Odam, food criticism, Austin American-Statesman
Judge’s comment: I was really impressed by the writer's extensive knowledge of ingredients, cooking styles and the history of this property. Nice ending, too, with a twist of not loving that dish, but explaining and exploring why you kept nibbling away at it.

Third place: Benjamin Leger, 225 Magazine (Baton Rouge, La.), New World: A night out at the Supper Club is more than fine dining. It’s an experience.
Judge’s comment: Vivid descriptions; I felt like I could see and taste everything the writer experienced, and I liked the savvy sense of place and what the restaurant is trying to achieve experientially.

FEATURE SERIES OR PROJECT: Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts

First place: Tony Bartelme, Andrew Whitaker and Borso Tall, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, The Saharan Connection
Judge’s comment: This series combines eloquent writing, spectacular photos and diligent scientific research into a very readable series about a subject I'd never thought of: connecting Saharan dust and environmental conditions to weather and climate change in the U.S., in particular the connections between Senegal and Charleston. The addition of the "Sahara Woman" comic was an ingenious and effective way to share the lessons of the series. The detailed descriptions, understandable explanations, inclusion of different cultures and incredible photography led to an impressive overall package.

Second place: John Diedrich, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Behind the gun project
Judge’s comment: So often, stories about guns in the U.S. focus on dry statistics or black-and-white arguments about gun control. This series included thoughtful original research about the extent of firearms deaths in Wisconsin and built a fascinating project around those numbers. It explores the stories of people from all walks of life affected by firearms, and all sides of the arguments (including from many in the unexamined gray area), to present a well-balanced, humane and enlightening treatment of a divisive subject.

Third place: Olivia Evans and Maggie Menderski, (Louisville, Ky.) Courier Journal, Vet shortage in Kentucky
Judge’s comment: The writing and photos in this series put a face (both human and animal) on a serious problem. The story about the vets who are still practicing is particularly poignant.

Honorable mention: Hanh Truong and Jacqueline Pinedo, The Sacramento Bee, Bee curious

NARRATIVE STORYTELLING: A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialog, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to a theme

First place: Ethan Bauer, Deseret News, The pursuit of forgiveness.
Judge’s comment: A gripping, edge-of-your-seat tale of forgiveness and its fallout. The reader is engulfed in the anguish that it takes to come to terms with loss and family expectations, behind the scenes of a story making international headlines.

Second place: Courtney Crowder, Des Moines Register, Half her family died in an Iowa tornado. After a year of pain, she’s finding joy again.
Judge’s comment: A year after Iowa's deadliest tornado in decades, this meticulous, moving re-creation makes it personal, telling the stories of those lost with indelible detail and humanity.

Third place: Lois M. Collins, Deseret News, The place where no one dies alone.
Judge’s comment: A story with death, hope and love braided together in a way that keeps you reading even though the conclusion is certain.

Honorable mention: Joseph Capozzi, ByJoeCapozzi.com, The Bicyclist and The Bridgetender: The Happy Life, Tragic Death and Lasting Legacy of Carol Wright.

FEATURES BEAT SPECIALTY WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer on one feature specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel

First place: Amie Just, Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star
Judge’s comment: Wow! This writer is a standout! Whether reeling out a perfect play-by-play or delving into a backstory, she offers just the right amount of detail to make her stories compelling must-reads. She brings her subjects to life — up close and personal — and uncovers heart-grabbing tales. Bravo!

Second place: Marjorie Cortez, Deseret News
Judge’s comment: Smart, sometimes controversial topics are handled fairly by this writer, who crafts strong leads and makes what could be dull, institutional stories warm and human.

Third place: Keith Spera, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com
Judge’s comment: These smoothly written stories are quietly compelling. With an excellent ear for a quote, the writer brings to life everyday legends.

Honorable mention: Andre Lamar, (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal

FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on the same food topic

First place: Ian McNulty, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com
Judge’s comment: Ian McNulty knows NOLA and readers should be grateful for that, and because he's a beautiful writer, too. The descriptions, like that of 200-year-old Antoine's dining room - "a vignette of the past"- kept me captivated throughout the entry. Bravo!

Second place: Matthew Odam, Austin American-Statesman
Judge’s comment: Matthew Odam's writing left me hungry - and planning a visit to Austin. His descriptions of the Apt 115 restaurant and its history were particularly interesting. Great work!

Third place: Mike Sula, Chicago Reader
Judge’s comment: Great selection of stories that went beyond the classic restaurant reviews. You never know what's coming next. What a treat for his readers.

Honorable mention: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, Craving Colorado

GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials

First place: Tracey O’Shaughnessy, (Waterbury, Conn.) Republican-American
Judge’s comment: Tracey O'Shaughnessy's columns are animated by imagery, passion, humor and conviction. She writes with distinctive clarity, whether mourning her mixed hound dog Calvin, marveling at the irony of the Bible as a target of book bans, or bemoaning being priced out of her annual getaways to Nantucket.

Second place: Mary C. Curtis, Roll Call
Judge’s comment: Social justice is one thread flowing through commentary by Mary C. Curtis. Another is incisive reflections blending current events, evolving culture and lessons of history. Another is her straight talk about issues of the day and the moral records of past and current public figures.

Third place: Meg Walter, Deseret News
Judge’s comment: Meg Walter serves up a light touch anchored in a strong sense of place. When Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal josh on-air about Salt Lake City as a boring stop on the NBA circuit, she counters with tongue-in-cheek things to do. When heavy snow keeps falling late in the season, she cheers for the local water tables and the ski people, but not for more snow.

Honorable mention: Holly Richardson, Deseret News, Collection of columns

ARTS & CULTURE CRITICISM PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts, entertainment or culture topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials

First place: Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star
Judge’s comment: Fun (and funny) concert reviews that make you feel like you're sitting in the audience. Well done work here.

Second place: Jennifer Huberdeau, The Berkshire (Mass.) Eagle
Judge’s comment: Informative and well-written pieces here that leave you wanting more.

Third place: Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American-Statesman
Judge’s comment: Strong and great writing.

SPORTS FEATURE: Feature treatment on any sports topic

First place: Jocelyn Grzeszczak, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, ‘Anybody, anywhere, anytime’: In pursuit of Muay Thai title belt, Charleston teacher fights for her dream.
Judge’s comment: This compelling narrative underscores the value of a journalist being present and bearing witness to help transport readers to the scene and provide an immersive experience. This helpful context shows readers why the story matters: “The belt is a chance for Toole to prove herself as a top female professional athlete in a sport with so few of them — a chance she regrets not taking when she had it years before. It's a chance to put Charleston Muay Thai and Boxing — Toole's beloved gym — on the map, establishing it as a contender with powerhouse clubs in New York and California. And it's a chance to pave the way for other fighters at the female-dominated gym to follow in her footsteps.”

Second place: Jason Wolf and Alison Steinbach, The Arizona Republic, Why ASU, UA poured $125.5M into athletics at height of pandemic, among most in the U.S.
Judge’s comment: This timely piece demonstrates depth of reporting with its sourcing and context, citing numerous experts and reports/research from around the country to show readers how Arizona's universities compare and why these spending priorities matter.

Third place: Zac Bellman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Basketball helps Milwaukee Hamilton's Simeon Murchison find support amidst life with autism.
Judge’s comment: This hopeful story hones in on the power of human connection and relationships, showing how curious classmates' questions led to a boy with autism who didn’t like to be touched thriving in the contact sport of basketball, becoming a leader on the team as he and his teammates brought out the best in each other, and providing inspiration to other kids with autism and their parents.

Honorable mention: Matthew Korfhage,, The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal, They booed Santa, climb poles. Are Philadelphia Eagles fans rowdy or just misunderstood?

VISUAL STORYTELLING: Coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length

First place: Skyler Ballard, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, Why a good snow year can’t save the Colorado River.
Judge’s comment: Very informative. Good use of interviews for different perspectives. Like the use of interactive graphics which gave more insight and set it apart from the other videos.

Second place: Vickie Connor, The Oregonian, This Oregon sheep farm opts to not shear but hand roo the wool from its herd.
Judge’s comment: Well thought out piece, lots of information about rooing sheep that people might not have been aware of. Nice use of b-roll. I would have liked to hear from her parents too and get more history on their farm.

Third place: Skyler Ballard, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, Colorado zoo helps in long effort to save imperiled toad.
Judge’s comment: Informative about the history and reasons why they're doing it. Good use of interviews and takes the audience along on their mission. The story trailed off slightly towards the end. 

SPECIAL SECTION: The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage

First place: Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, Craving Colorado
Judge’s comment: It’s no secret our newsrooms are shrinking, however it seems that editor Nathan Van Dyne and his Gazette team haven’t received the memo. The multiple, well-reported and colorful features written for their Craving Colorado Elevated Eats section rivals that of a staffed newsroom of 50. Reporter Seth Boster penned at least 13 of the main features detailing the vast and varied cuisine available in Colorado Springs. Boster wrote with specificity and heart, giving each profile a personality that married well with the subject(s) he covered. Lastly, with so many stories reviewing food and restaurants, none of the pieces felt repetitive or formulaic.

Second place: Keith Spera, Chris Granger, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com, New Orleans’ St. Augustine High School Marching Band’s quest for glory
Judge’s comment: Heat, heart and heritage are the pillars of Keith Spera’s stellar profile on St. Augustine Marching 100. He captured the painstaking dedication of band director Ray Johnson, Sr., whose commitment to continuing the band’s legacy jumps off the page. Johnson’s influence was brought to life through the expert fly-on-the-wall reporting, from the rehearsals to the first performance. Reading this high school’s journey as they reclaim their honor of “best band in the land” was a beautiful showcase of perseverance and passion. Spera assures us that the kids will be alright.

Third place: Berkshire Eagle Features Staff, Berkshire (Mass.) Eagle, Summer Previews 2023
Judge’s comment: Compiling a thorough list of summer offerings may seem like a daunting task, however The Berkshire Eagle’s editorial team takes immense pride in celebrating its region’s rich cultural legacy. The care in curating the multitude of arts programs was reported with integrity, reverence and passion. Most impressive was the pointed gazette style writing giving readers a detailed preview of what’s available on any given day of the summer. This guide underscored that there’s something for everyone.

Honorable mention: Sarah Griesemer, Asbury Park Press, Summer Guide

SPECIAL PRODUCT: The best examples of a special product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year

First place: Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, Out There Colorado
Judge’s comment: What I love most about these publications is that you could take out the fantastic design and beautiful photography, and you’d still be left with something special – informative, well-written and often surprising but always stellar writing. (Would it surprise you that one of the best reads is a piece about different kinds of rocks?). But there’s much more throughout these entries, including a road trip around Colorado, a fascinating look at the “elk experience,” an appealing timeline of Colorado’s ski industry and more fine pieces ranging from lists to calendars to in-depth features. Just a bevy of great stuff on most every page.

Second place: Bill O’Brien, (Waterbury, Conn.) Republican-American, Almanac
Judge’s comment: A well-written and useful guide to the summer season, including theater, movies and music. The info is the star here, but the writing at times is nice and crisp.

Third place: Bill O’Brien, (Waterbury, Conn.) Republican American, Litchfield Jazz Festival
Judge’s comment: This handy and beautiful publication has everything a music festival program needs ¬ the festival’s history, letters from the organizers, schedule, etc. – but it surrounds the boiler-plate info with interesting features, including a fascinating piece about a child prodigy pianist plus several other stories about some of the acts at the jazz festival. 

UTILITY FEATURE PORTFOLIO: Three stories focused on educating readers about topics that affect their everyday lives (e.g., health, retail prices, product availability) in an easy-to-digest, consumer-oriented “news you can use” way

First place: Tamia Fowlkes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Judge’s comment: This piece looks at an apartment complex that threatened a 98-year-old tenant with eviction and reveals exactly how the management’s company’s actions were improper. The writer's use of the experience of 98-year-old Carolyn Bolton was a great way to illustrate a widespread problem. These are the types of injustices that can and often do happen under the radar, and it sounds like this management company was assuming they could act with impunity, implying they’ve done this routine many times before. This piece highlights how important it is to have a reporter dedicated to high-quality, consumer-oriented, watchdog journalism for Milwaukee’s Black residents. I loved that this story was (updated and) republished Feb. 13, 2024, to make it free for all readers and the explainer published after the main piece answering common questions about Wisconsin's eviction process and tenant rights was the definition of ‘news you can use.’ One reader’s comment sent in with the contest submission was spot on: “This is what outstanding journalism is all about!”

Second place: Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska, The (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer
Judge’s comment: This entry was part of an 11-part Raleigh Recycling package that started with a reader question: Is it worth my time to recycle to help the environment? The submission mentioned that some readers reported they put their newspaper directly on their fridges for quick reference. Others said they keep the interactive stories bookmarked online, since they consult them so often. “This project laid the groundwork for readers to trust and reach out to us.” The reporter was extremely thorough, and visited recycling facilities in Raleigh and surrounding areas over the course of a month, tracking recyclable items from the curbside to their transformation into “shiny, brand-new things.” The takeaways piece for easy reference, which offers phone numbers and links for recycling questions in particular areas, was really helpful. The explanations of the ins and outs of the recycling process were accessible, for example this super regional reference that delivers interesting information on the plastic sorting process. “Take a plastic bottle of Cheerwine, for example. The clear, curved plastic is made of PET, while the cap is made of PP, another of the seven recycle codes. These plastics have different melt temperatures and need to be separated by Unifi’s machines in the recycling process.” The piece made me wish I had similar information from my own city. (I looked into it and it’s hard to find some of this info, particularly where to recycle electronics.)

Third place: Brianna Taylor, The Sacramento Bee
Judge’s comment: This entry looks at ways to see the city of Sacramento on a budget, and all started with the reporter’s interest in exploring her new hometown. Every activity she explores is a reader suggestion, and she was intentional in selecting businesses off the beaten path and often in under covered areas. Some are places readers want her to try out before they go themselves; others are spots readers think the newly arrived resident of Sacramento should put on her must-see/eat/enjoy list. The stories include a very user-friendly online form to suggest new spots for her to check out. Her writing is very engaging and fun, for example this lede on a hole-in-the-wall Lao food market. “Past rows of crispy pig ears and imported bath soap, a kitchen in the back of an Asian market in Sacramento is cooking up authentic Lao food you can’t find on Doordash.” The stories include cute graphics with a receipt showing how she spent her allotted money. It’s fun that she’s discovering these places along with the reader, and really provides so much helpful news you can use, for example listing affordable restaurants near the drive-in, a nearby dollar general to get cheap snacks beforehand. She also notes ways to spend even less than her allotted $25, should the reader be on a tighter budget.

Honorable mention: Erin Negley, LNP | Lancaster Online

FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE/ESSAY: A single story written as an essay or in the first-person point of view that demonstrates a sense of proportion and perspective

First place: Amie Ferris-Rotman, New Lines Magazine, What My Pregnancy in Moscow Taught Me of Putin’s Russia
Judge’s comment: Beautifully written, compellingly told, with a good balance of personal experience and socio-political and historical context.

Second place: Lottie Elizabeth Johnson, Deseret News, His music changed my life. So I tried to find him.
Judge’s comment: Loved this article from beginning to end. Made me tear up with emotion. Very cinematic. Could make up the whole movie in my head.

Third place: Hala Gorani, New Lines Magazine, A Syrian-American searches for identity in Missouri.
Judge’s comment: Very well-written piece about longing and belonging.

FEATURE WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer that can be a combination of any beats

First place: Tony Bartelme, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier
Judge’s comment: I have had the pleasure over my years in this business to work with several terrific feature writers. It is a craft where the best tells stories that move you along, offering enticing details with an assured voice and at a pace that consistently matches the unfolding action. Tony Barthelme's entries in this contest were a cut above the rest. His piece on the Clotilda is a master class in great storytelling.

Second place: Courtney Crowder, Des Moines Register
Judge’s comment: The Register has a tradition of great feature writing, and Courtney Crowder's entry shows that the tradition continues. All three stories showcase some lovely writing and an affinity for human stories. The strongest is the tornado one year after story, and ambitious undertaking that rolls out in a manner that keeps you reading.

Third place: Stephanie Earls, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette
Judge’s comment: Stephanie Earls' entries showed a great eye for detail, the kind of stuff that only a reporter who gets close to her subjects can offer. And she generally let the details paint the picture. These stories were well done, but would have been even better if the expository/contextual elements included in each could have been done more artfully/seamlessly.

Honorable mention: Natalia Galicza, Deseret Magazine

INCLUSION AND REPRESENTATION IN FEATURES: The coverage of any lifestyle or culture topic that centers on historically marginalized or under covered communities through revelatory storytelling

First place: Stephanie Earls, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, Motel limbo
Judge’s comment: The storytelling is gorgeous, purposeful and clearly moved people to action. I think that's the most we can ask from our journalism — that it motivates readers to some sort of response and the original story and follow-ups obviously did that in a lasting, meaningful and visceral way.

Second place: Eleanore Catolico, Detroit Metro Times, Feature reporting on Detroit youth
Judge’s comment: Journalists don't have to be tremendous writers but it definitely helps in the handling and telling of someone's personal stories and experiences, and Eleanore masters both beautiful prose and intentional storytelling in both pieces. Come on — “a chiaroscuro of bodies veiled by shadows?” That's narrative excellence, as are both entries as a whole.

Third place: Jane Havsy, NorthJersey.com and Bergen Record, Pathways to Participation: Kids with physical disabilities struggle to play, compete
Judge’s comment: (This entry) presented issues that affect the disabled community in a way that doesn't activate pity and that's a commendable balance to strike. Her writing is vibrant and bright and engaging — as is her reporting — and I loved reading both pieces and learning more about a challenge I've never known about in someone's life, which broadened my understanding of disabled folks' day-to-day experiences. Beautifully done.

Honorable mention: Hannah Edgar, Chicago Reader, Extraordinary ability, extraordinary burden