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CTSPJ elects new board for 2022-23

The Connecticut PRO chapter of the SPJ hosts annual elections for board officers. The new board officers start their terms July 1. Due to a bylaws change approved by members this past year, the board now consists of 11 members. As of July 1, 2023, the board will shrink in size to 10 members.

President – Lindsay Boyle (first of two potential one-year terms)

Vice President, programming – Jordan Fenster (first of two potential one-year terms)

Vice President, communications – Ayah Galal (no term limits)

Treasurer – Bruno Matarazzo (no term limits)

Secretary – Jeniece Roman (first of two potential one-year terms) 

Past President – Viktoria Sundqvist (no term limits)

Board of Directors:

Darren Sweeney (second year of two-year term of 2021-23)

Mercy Quaye (filling a vacancy, second year of two-year term 2021-23)

Chandra Bozelko (filling a vacancy, second year of two-year term 2021-23)

Mike Savino (first year of two-year term – 2022-24)

Martha Shanahan (first year of two-year term – 2022-24)

Winners for 2021 Excellence in Journalism contest announced

An outdoor event to celebrate the winners of our Excellence in Journalism contest is planned for Saturday, June 25, from noon-4 p.m. at the Ansonia Nature Center pavilion, 10 Deerfield Road, Ansonia. More details here.

Click here to see winners of this year’s college contest.

All Media Special Awards

First Amendment Award
First Place
A free press, a fair election; Good Morning Wilton; Heather Borden Herve

Stephen A. Collins Public Service Award
First Place
Lost to abuse; Hearst CT Media; Clare Dignan, Verónica Del Valle

Theodore Driscoll Award for Investigative Reporting
First Place
Policing the police; Hearst CT Media; Bill Cummings

Arts & Entertainment

Hyperlocal
First Place
Conversations with the irrepressible Dolly Curtis; Easton Courier; Jane Paley, Richard Falco
Second Place
Cultivating wellbeing, belonging, curiosity, and empathy through art; East Haven Courier; Pem McNerney
Third Place
Darien group uses art to paint picture of equality; Darien Times; Susan Shultz

Regional A
First Place
Styx = grilled cheese; Waterbury Republican-American; Michael Chaiken
Second Place
Youth performance of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ aiming to teach conflict resolution; New Haven Register; Ben Lambert

Regional B
First Place
After BLM silencing, choral censorship battle reaches national stage; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman
Second Place
Local artist remembered for making ‘community beautiful’; Record-Journal; Devin Leith-Yessian

Magazine
First Place
An artist out of Aesop; WAG Magazine; Phil Hall
Second Place
The Remains look back; Connecticut Magazine; Michael Catarevas

Broadcast
First Place
Ballet is for everyone; News 12; Annalisa Klebers,Christopher Wood

Audio Storytelling

Hyperlocal
First Place
Navel gazing podcast: The Valley Indy’s post-election autopsy; Valley Independent Sentinel; Eugene Driscoll
Second Place
Navel gazing podcast: Lauretti, DOT Boss, VCOG Rick talk multi-million dollar train station grant; Valley Independent Sentinel; Eugene Driscoll

Regional A
First Place
Looking for the Todt family; The Day; Taylor Hartz, Sten Spinella, Peter Huoppi, Carlos Virgen
Second Place
We spoke to residents whose lives have been forever changed by COVID-19. These are their stories.; Hartford Courant; Michael Hamad, Timothy Reck

Magazine
First Place
Author Dan Crowley & SCSU President Dr. Joe Bertolino; Connecticut Voice; Christopher Byrne

Broadcast
First Place
Juveniles, joyrides, & justice; WNPR; Walter Smith Randolph, Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Jim Haddadin
Second Place
31st July 2021 Edition; Connecticut East This Week; Brian Scott-Smith
Third Place
2nd January 2021 Edition; Connecticut East This Week; Brian Scott-Smith

Breaking News

Hyperlocal
First Place
Ansonia police investigate shooting; city researching surveillance system; Valley Independent Sentinel; Eugene Driscoll, Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Second Place
Derby police officer shoots person on Division Street; Valley Independent Sentinel; Eugene Driscoll

Regional A
First Place
Former Hartford police sergeant keeps teen from jumping off Founders Bridge; Hartford Courant; Christine Dempsey
Second Place
Opponents of mandatory vaccinations for public school dominate hearing; Hearst CT Media; Ken Dixon

Regional B
First Place
Flooding; New Britain Herald; Justin Muszynski
Second Place
‘It’s really unreal:’ Wilbur Cross students rattled after lockdown; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman

Broadcast
First Place
Eviction orders spiked in Connecticut when federal moratorium lapsed; WNPR; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Jim Haddadin, Walter Smith Randolph
Second Place
A small jet crashes into a bulding in Farmington; WTIC-AM; John Silva
Third Place
Hurricane Ida cleanup; News 12; John Craven, Mark Sogofsky

Business

Hyperlocal
First Place
Darien man’s cereal company gets nationwide attention; Darien Times; Susan Shultz
Second Place
DeLauro visits downtown Branford merchants to gauge recovery efforts; The Sound; Pam Johnson

Regional A
First Place
‘There’s no one easy explanation’ why restaurant workers left industry; The Day; Erica Moser
Second Place
The fourth estate’s future; Waterbury Republican-American; Michael Puffer
Third Place
Connecticut diners could expect to pay more for menu items; Hartford Courant; Susan Dunne

Regional B
First Place
Newtown diner; News-Times; Rob Ryser
Second Place
Flip enriches middleman, burns tenants; New Haven Independent; Tom Breen
Third Place
Increased demand for bicycles, repairs fueled by pandemic; Journal Inquirer; Matthew P. Knox

Magazine
First Place
Stopping embezzlement: How to protect your business from the thief within; New Haven Biz; Michelle Tuccitto Sullo
Second Place
In the black; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert
Third Place
New Haven-area manufacturers anticipate long-term impacts — some positive — from supply chain crisis; New Haven Biz; Liese Klein

Broadcast
First Place
Cannabis billboards; NBC 30; Katherine Loy, Garett Allison, Jonathan Wardle
Second Place
The Porch; News 12; Mark Sudol, Mark Sogofsky
Third Place
Rein’s Deli dealing with kosher meat, worker shortage; NBC 30; Caitlin Burchill, David Mulligan

Continuing Coverage

Hyperlocal
First Place
Water company controversy; Fairfield Citizen; Katrina Koerting
Second Place
Police, fire officials sex assault case; Shelton Herald; Donald Eng, Brian Gioiele
Third Place
Coverage of controversy over proposed chicken slaughterhouse approved in residential neighborhood; Easton Courier; Ann Marie Somma, Kelly Wendt

Regional A
First Place
State lawmaker arrest; Connecticut Post; Brian Lockhart
Second Place
CNN staffer charged; Hearst CT Media; Tara O’Neill, Liz Hardaway, Peter Yankowski
Third Place
Covid and group homes; Hearst CT Media; Julia Bergman

Regional B
First Place
Inappropriate conduct in schools investigation; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day, Adam Hushin
Second Place
Heat shut off; New Britain Herald; Erica Drzewiecki
Third Place
Grand Cafe occupation; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman

Magazine
First Place
Delicious; Seasons Magazine; Amy S. White

Broadcast
First Place
State trooper sentenced, resigns after 2019 drunk driving crash in cruiser; NBC 30; Caitlin Burchill

Courts/Crime

Regional A
First Place
Hamden homicide victim was new father excited for his upcoming high school graduation; New Haven Register; Meghan Friedmann
Second Place
How the FBI ID’d a CT man in the U.S. Capitol mob; Hearst CT Media; Dan Brechlin, Lidia Ryan, Bryan Haeffele

Regional B
First Place
She needs to come home; The Hour; Rich Chumney
Second Place
Middletown mother of six fatally stabbed showed strength in final moments, daughter says; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day

Magazine
First Place
On the trail of a killer; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang
Second Place
From Cuba to Connecticut; Today Magazine; Odalys Bekanich

Broadcast
First Place
Car crime 2.0; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Jose Gomez
Second Place
Justice for Mari; News 12; Lauren Fabrizi, Keith Sunthorn

COVID-Investigative

Regional A
First Place
A cancer patient was sent to prison for DUI. Two months later, he was dead from COVID.; Connecticut Mirror; Dave Altimari, Kelan Lyons
Second Place
COVID and Trump towns; Hearst CT Media; Jordan Fenster
Third Place
Griffin Health’s lucrative COVID testing contracts; Connecticut Mirror; Dave Altimari

Regional B
First Place
After $2,774 COVID test, Dunner persists; New Haven Independent; Tom Breen
Second Place
Are Danbury area political candidates vaccinated?; News-Times; Currie Engel
Third Place
Effort to expand vaccine access continues in Meriden amid challenges; Record-Journal; Michael Gagne

Magazine
First Place
Business, interrupted: Insurance claims often denied for pandemic-related business closures; New Haven Biz; Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

Broadcast
First Place
Blue Hills FD PPP; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle

COVID-News

Hyperlocal
First Place
Ethics and responsibility — the social contract of contact tracing after WHS outbreak; Good Morning Wilton; Heather Borden Herve
Second Place
One year later–video interview with Wilton’s (and CT’s) first COVID-19 patient, Chris Tillett; Good Morning Wilton; Heather Borden Herve
Third Place
Darien nurse beats COVID-19, returns to treating pandemic patients; Darien Times; Susan Shultz

Regional A
First Place
COVID-19 long-haulers struggle with persistent mental health issues; Hartford Courant; Eliza Fawcett
Second Place
‘Barely a Band-Aid’: Experts say $600 stimulus could be too little too late for struggling workers; New Haven Register; Brian Zahn
Third Place
Hill Health Center nurses make steep climb to vaccinate seafarers; Connecticut Health I-Team; Kate Farrish

Regional B
First Place
Local seniors struggle to schedule vaccinations, face long wait times; Record-Journal; Mary Ellen Godin
Second Place
Hunt for vaccines; News-Times; Currie Engel
Third Place
Contact tracing — could it be telling us more?; Record-Journal; Lauren Takores

Magazine
First Place
COVID shutdown; Today Magazine; Katherine Napier
Second Place
Sense of loss; Connecticut Magazine; Meg Weisberg

Broadcast
First Place
One year later: CT’s ‘patient zero’ reflects; NBC 30; Heidi Voight
Second Place
Therapy dog helps kids heal from pandemic; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Gregg Monte
Third Place
Governor’s new COVID strategy; NBC 30; Nicholas Doscher, Jamie Ratliff

COVID-Photo

Hyperlocal
First Place
A distanced show of support; Harbor News; Kelley Fryer

Regional A
First Place
Getting vaccinated; New Haven Register; Arnold Gold
Second Place
Closing day; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Third Place
Friendly hands; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko

COVID-Series

Hyperlocal
First Place
COVID creativity; The Sound; Pem McNerney and Kelley Fryer

Regional A
First Place
The lost year; The Day; Staff
Second Place
Connecticut’s uneven recovery; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Kasturi Pananjady
Third Place
Reflect/rebuild; Hearst CT Media; Staff

Regional B
First Place
COVID-19 vaccine project; Record-Journal; Jareliz Diaz, Mary Ellen Godin, Jesse Buchanan, Lauren Takores

Broadcast
First Place
The new normal; News 12; Chris Vaccaro, Kelly Drossel, Doug Geed, Erin Colton, Phil Dowling, Kevin Benjamin, Henry Salmaggi, Christine Amante, Sandrina Rodrigues, Christine McGrath, Shawn Brown, Elizabeth Hashagen

Second Place
The next normal CT; News 12; Mark Sudol, Mark Sogofsky

Data

Hyperlocal
First Place
Wiltons changing demographics: Census 2020 reveals more diversity, fewer children and lasting impact; Good Morning Wilton; Kathy Bonnist

Regional A
First Place
Women of color overrepresented in domestic violence arrests, data show; Connecticut Health I-Team; Lisa Backus
Second Place
Data show decrease in prison sex abuse reports, survivor advocates say fear and ambivalence persist; Connecticut Health I-Team; W. Tanner Bryant, Jodie Mozdzer Gil
Third Place
COVID-19 risk level differs from town to town based on how many people have been vaccinated; Hartford Courant; Tim Reck

Regional B
First Place
The highest-paid workers in north central Connecticut towns do it with overtime; Journal Inquirer; Eric Bedner

Broadcast
First Place
Failing foundations; News 12; News 12 Networks
Second Place
5 things to know about juvenile crime in Connecticut; WNPR; Jim Haddadin

Diversity Coverage

Hyperlocal
First Place
Superintendent Harrison details difficult decision to leave ER9 schools; Easton Courier; Nancy Doniger, Richard Falco
Second Place
Sister, don’t give up; Trumbull Times; Don Eng
Third Place
Fairfield group rebukes racist antagonists: ‘Never let them win’; Fairfield Patch; Anna Bybee-Schier

Regional A
First Place
Deep roots drive Newhallville stakeholders to advance neighborhood equity; Connecticut Health I-Team; Sujata Srinivasan, Melanie Stengel
Second Place
Targeting disparities in colorectal cancer screening; Connecticut Health I-Team; Elizabeth Heubeck
Third Place
UConn group, Connecticut photographer take on anti-Asian violence and the fight against invisibility; Hartford Courant; Susan Dunne

Regional B
First Place
Danbury’s Hispanic population; News-Times; Julia Perkins
Second Place
Fewer Black and Hispanic residents are getting vaccines; Stamford Advocate; Verónica Del Valle
Third Place
From Jim Crow south to Connecticut, Meriden man has spent lifetime battling racism; Record-Journal; Jeffery Kurz

Magazine
First Place
MLK memorial; Today Magazine; Katherine Napier
Second Place
The secret lives of doctors: Dr. Marja Hurley, the mentor; Connecticut Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger

Broadcast
First Place
Justice for all: Mental health in PD; News 12; Shosh Bedrosian, John Dempsey, Frank Bruce
Second Place
1619 Project emails; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle

Editorial

Hyperlocal
First Place
GMW’s holiday message from the editor; Good Morning Wilton; Heather Borden Herve

Regional A
First Place
The history lessons taught on Jan. 6, 2021; Hearst CT Media; John Breunig

Regional B
First Place
An insurrection that failed at the nation’s Capitol; Record-Journal; Jeffery Kurz
Second Place
Connecticut Supreme Court takes a step backward; Record-Journal; Glenn Richter

Editorial Cartoon

Regional A
First Place
Vaccine zeros; The Day; Jacinta Meyers

Regional B
First Place
COVID holidays; Record-Journal; Kevin Markowski
Second Place
Mill rate and pickleball; Record-Journal; Kevin Markowski
Third Place
Community chest; Record-Journal; Justin Piccirillo

Education

Hyperlocal
First Place
Living the American dream, with help from SAE; The Sound; Pam Johnson
Second Place
Wilton keeps Warriors name; Wilton Bulletin; J.D. Freda
Third Place
ER9 boards of education approve DEI surveys; Easton Courier; Ann Marie Somma and Nancy Doniger

Regional A
First Place
Critical race theory has proved divisive. What is it?; The Day; Erica Moser
Second Place
English learners and pandemic; Connecticut Post; Cayla Bamberger
Third Place
Like you ‘lost a piece of you’: Pandemic forces CT students to apply to college with leaner resumes; New Haven Register; Brian Zahn

Regional B
First Place
You go into a panic; The Hour; Emily Morgan
Second Place
Co-op gets into its back-to-school rhythm; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman
Third Place
I lived through hell; Stamford Advocate; Ignacio Laguarda

Magazine
First Place
Simple as ABC; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert
Second Place
Back to school out and proud; Connecticut Voice; Dawn Ennis
Third Place
Yale’s $7B capital campaign reflects shifts in nonprofit fundraising focus; New Haven Biz; Liese Klein

Broadcast
First Place
As new school year begins, some immunocompromised families feel left behind; WNPR; Walter Smith Randolph
Second Place
Girls future firefighter camp; NBC 30; Nicholas Doscher, Jamie Ratliff
Third Place
Remote learning:  The student perspective; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Sarah Willson

Feature Photo

Hyperlocal
First Place
Snow day; The Source; Kelley Fryer
Second Place
Children enjoying ride at Easton Fireman’s Carnival; Easton Courier; Richard Falco
Third Place
A grand finale in Guilford; Guilford Courier; Wesley Bunnell

Regional A
First Place
Bird conservation; New Haven Register; Arnold Gold
Second Place
Whale yoga; The Day; Sarah Gordon
Third Place
Spaw treatment; The Day; Sean D. Elliot

Regional B
First Place
Tropical Storm Elsa leaves flooding, hazards on local roads; Record-Journal; Aaron Flaum
Second Place
Beyond the branches; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac
Third Place
Fall foliage in the park; Record-Journal; Aaron Flaum

Magazine
First Place
Ghostly glitterati; Seasons Magazine; Stan Godlewski
Second Place
Still-life dancer; Connecticut Voice; Stan Godlewski
Third Place
Paddle on; Seasons Magazine; Stan Godlewski

Feature Story

Hyperlocal
First Place
After 70 years in limbo, Seymour soldier accounted for; Valley Independent Sentinel; Eugene Driscoll
Second Place
Megan Leubner: Crisis hero award winner; North Haven Courier; Jason J. Marchi
Third Place
Sign of spring: Darien roadside tradition takes on added meaning this year; Darien Times; Susan Shultz

Regional A
First Place
Escapes from Afghanistan, coordinated from a home office in Connecticut; Connecticut Mirror; Mark Pazniokas
Second Place
Alzheimer’s wedding; Hearst CT Media; Andrew DaRosa
Third Place
Good times and bad at the Lighthouse Inn; The Day; John Ruddy

Regional B
First Place
A rare glimpse of redemption; CTNewsJunkie; Lisa Backus
Second Place
7 years later; News-Times; Rob Ryser
Third Place
Everything she did in the community was light: Activist Maia Leonardo passes on at 28; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman

Magazine
First Place
The last of the Connecticut River watermen; Estuary Magazine; David Holahan
Second Place
The founder; Connecticut Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper
Third Place
The fabulous ’70s decade of after dark magazine; Connecticut Voice; Frank Rizzo

Broadcast
First Place
Girl whisperer; News 12; Suzanne Goldklang, Frank Bruce
Second Place
From prison to Trinity College; WFSB; Audrey Russo
Third Place
One more chat with dad; News 12; Sean McCabe

General Column

Hyperlocal
First Place
Buy Nothing Facebook groups build connection during trying times; Valley Independent Sentinel; Jodie Mozdzer Gil
Second Place
Winter weather report: Hot with a chance of boiling over; Easton Courier; Richard Lechtenberg

Regional A
First Place
Enriching the rich; Connecticut Mirror; David Holahan
Second Place
MLK in CT and the continuing story of segregation; Hearst CT Media; Hugh Bailey
Third Place
Let freedom ring?; Connecticut Mirror; David Holahan

Regional B
First Place
Critical race theory is our modern-day ‘Crucible’; CTNewsJunkie; Barth Keck
Second Place
Trump threw away his legacy on human trafficking; Norwich Bulletin; Chandra Bozelko
Third Place
Is my son OK?; News-Times; Sandra Diamond Fox

Magazine
First Place
War torn; Connecticut Magazine; Ron Farina
Second Place
Our storied collections; Connecticut Magazine; Albie Yuravich
Third Place
Running for my life; Connecticut Magazine; Joseph M. Korzon

Government

Hyperlocal
First Place
Citizen complaint sparks heated debate about police records in Old Saybrook; Harbor News; Eric O’Connell
Second Place
Easton to increase security at the polls following breach; Easton Courier; Nancy Doniger, Ann Marie Somma
Third Place
Proposed zoning bills reveal political divide in Darien; Darien Times; Susan Shultz

Regional A
First Place
Ned Lamont’s year in the shadow of COVID; Connecticut Mirror; Mark Pazniokas
Second Place
Old Saybrook releases $190,000 settlement records days before FOI hearing; New Haven Register; Meghan Friedmann
Third Place
Trump supporters missing from State Capitol as anticipated protest fizzles; Hearst CT Media; Ken Dixon

Regional B
First Place
Latest clash in Stamford mayoral race; Stamford Advocate; Brianna Gurciullo
Second Place
State reps get personal as CROWN Act passes house; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman
Third Place
Anti-mask disruption; News-Times; Currie Engel

Broadcast
First Place
Sedition hunters; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Lorraine Roe
Second Place
Helping firefighters with cancer; News 12; John Craven, MarkSogofsky

Headline

Hyperlocal
First Place
Headllines from the sound; The Sound; Pam Johnson

Regional A
First Place
Hot dog days of summer; red zone blues; vaccine boost; New Haven Register; Susan Nusbaum
Second Place
Ruddy headlines; The Day; John Ruddy
Third Place
Water logged; hail to the Yalies; open bar; New Haven Register; Susan Nusbaum

Regional B
First Place
Haze, companies, spirit; News-Times; Lynn Schnier
Second Place
Organ tranplant / Sweet dreams satisfied / Full STEAM ahead; Greenwich Time; Ashley Winchester
Third Place
Prayer, fishing, noise; News-Times; Lynn Schnier

Magazine
First Place
War torn; The dark of light; The mother of all voices; Connecticut Magazine; Albie Yuravich
Second Place
Down south for the count; Off the beaten paths; Goose is cooking; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Health

Regional A
First Place
Medical providers are taking nature therapy seriously; Connecticut Health I-Team; Jenifer Frank
Second Place
For some transgender people, pandemic paves path to transition; Connecticut Health I-Team; Carol Leonetti Dannhauser
Third Place
Yale Study links housing instability and risky sexual behaviors; Connecticut Health I-Team; Kate Farrish

Regional B
First Place
Undercounted; News-Times; Currie Engel, Shayla Colon
Second Place
Artists team up to “vacúnate Fair Haven”; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman
Third Place
Officials: In Northwest CT, ‘There aren’t a lot of resources’ to address rural health care needs; Register Citizen; Emily M. Olson

Magazine
First Place
Since the lockdown, drinking among women is a growing health problem; Connecticut Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Second Place
Concussion symptoms can be devastating. But what happpens when they won’t go away?; Connecticut Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Third Place
Helping teens find their authentic selves; Connecticut Voice; Jane Latus

Broadcast
First Place
Help coming for undocumented immigrants trapped in Connecticut hospitals; WNPR; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
Second Place
Therapy dog helps kids heal from pandemic; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Gregg Monte
Third Place
Bringing mommy home to die; News 12; Frank Recchia, Lori Golias

Humorous Column

Hyperlocal
First Place
The great silverware caper of 1908; Easton Courier; Bruce Nelson
Second Place
It’s weird to be normal; Guilford Courier; Julianna Gribbins

Regional A
First Place
Happy to be taken for a ride; Hearst CT Media; John Breunig
Second Place
Miss Misinformation pageant; Connecticut Mirror; David Holahan
Third Place
The secret language of autism; Hearst CT Media; John Breunig

Regional B
First Place
My beef with Mr. Harding; Record-Journal; Glenn Richter
Second Place
Is it me, or is it … ? Oh, it’s me; Record-Journal; Glenn Richter

Magazine
First Place
Final thoughts; Seasons Magazine; Matthew Dicks
Second Place
Adventures with the weed; Connecticut Magazine; A. H. Saxon

In-Depth

Hyperlocal
First Place
Superintendent Harrison details difficult decision to leave ER9 schools; Easton Courier; Nancy Doniger, Richard Falco
Second Place
They helped us, now we can help them; North Haven Courier; Pem McNerney

Regional A
First Place
From Kabul to New Haven: 30 hours to freedom; The Day; Taylor Hartz
Second Place
‘A record of rejection.’ State batting away one group’s onslaught of election fraud claims; Hearst CT Media; Ken Dixon

Regional B
First Place
Stop pointing fingers, we all lost Afghanistan; Greenwich Time; David Rafferty
Second Place
Train station passes; The Hour; Abigail Brone

Magazine
First Place
Submarine down!; Connecticut Magazine; Michael J. Bielawa
Second Place
Invisible empire: The history of the KKK in Connecticut; Connecticut Magazine; Christopher Hoffman
Third Place
From Vietnam to snow patrol; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Broadcast
First Place
East Windsor officer goes over the line; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle
Second Place
Connecticut remembers 9/11, 20 years later; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Lorraine Roe, Jon Wardle, Thea DiGiammerino, Keisha Grant, Kevin Nathan, Len Besthoff, Dan Corcoran, Dominique Moody, Katherine Loy
Third Place
Book sales and borrowing rise during COVID; NBC 30; Nicholas Doscher, Jamie Ratliff

Infographic Design

Regional A
First Place
Chaos at the Capitol; Hearst CT Media; Bryan Haeffele, Ian Murren
Second Place
Winds of change; The Day; Scott Ritter
Third Place
How much water do we use?; Hearst CT Media; Bryan Haeffele

Regional B
First Place
UConn women in the Final Four; Journal Inquirer; Hollister Breslin

Infographic Reporting

Regional A
First Place
The language of the pandemic; The Day; Maria Reagan, Timothy Cotter
Second Place
2021 Connecticut town-by-town municipal election results; Hartford Courant; Tim Reck

Investigative

Hyperlocal
First Place
Fairfield PD captain resigns after internal affairs probe: report; Fairfield Patch; Anna Bybee-Schier

Regional A
First Place
‘This will all be underwater’: As climate change arrives in CT; Hartford Courant; Eliza Fawcett, Alex Putterman
Second Place
Rising seas; Hearst CT Media; Jordan Fenster

Regional B
First Place
Emails reveal debate over LGBTQ video in Southington; Record-Journal; Jesse Buchanan
Second Place
How $100M+ flowed to megalandlords; New Haven Independent; Tom Breen

Magazine
First Place
Face to face with the greatest generation; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Broadcast
First Place
Failing foundations- crumbling conditions; News 12; Shosh Bedrosian, Christopher Wood, Frank Bruce
Second Place
Brewery surveillance video shows trooper’s actions before drunk driving crash in Southbury; NBC 30; Caitlin Burchill
Third Place
As sperm donation demand increases, some seek donors on social media; NBC 30; Caitlin Burchill, David Mulligan

Leisure

Hyperlocal
First Place
Sunday nature walk: Summer’s end; Easton Courier; Tomas Koeck

Regional A
First Place
C’est magnifique!; The Day; Kristina Dorsey
Second Place
They can chicken out; Connecticut Post; Ashley Winchester
Third Place
Ultimate New Haven pizza guide; Hearst CT Media; Leeanne Griffin

Regional B
First Place
Christmas Eve tradition declines; Feast of the Seven Fishes less important for Italian-Americans; Journal Inquirer; Tim Leininger
Second Place
Returning to movie theaters; New Britain Herald; Erica Drzewiecki
Third Place
Who has the best fast-food chicken sandwich? JI reporters rate seven of them; Journal Inquirer; Tim Leininger

Magazine
First Place
Chef Danilo Mongillo reopens Strega, bringing his across-the-Atlantic delights to Milford; Connecticut Magazine; James Gribbon
Second Place
The taste of home: the surprising vineyards of the Connecticut River Valley; Estuary Magazine; Eric D. Lehman, Amy Nawrocki
Third Place
The incredible shrinking lawn: How to create a nature-friendly yard; Connecticut Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger

Broadcast
First Place
Homegrown cannabis in CT; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle
Second Place
Road trip Norfolk; News 12; Lori Golias
Third Place
Lasagna with love; News 12; Suzanne Goldklang, Christina Alaio

Local Reporting

Hyperlocal
First Place
Still seeking justice for family lost on 9/11; Easton Courier; Nancy Doniger
Second Place
A difficult day for Branford; The Sound; Pam Johnson, Kelley Fryer
Third Place
He could have died; New Canaan Advertiser; Grace Duffield

Regional A
First Place
In Hamden and New Haven, ex-offenders fight violence on the front lines; New Haven Register; Meghan Friedmann
Second Place
Homemade guns are showing up more at Connecticut crime scenes, police say; Hartford Courant; Christine Dempsey
Third Place
CT town at forefront of national debate over facial recognition tech; New Haven Register; Meghan Friedmann

Regional B
First Place
Everything she did in the community was light: Activist Maia Leonardo passes on at 28; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman
Second Place
Local residents denounce riots; The Chronicle; Michelle Warren

Magazine
First Place
Peace, comfort dogs, and joy; Seasons Magazine; Renee DiNino
Second Place
Coyotes calling; Today Magazine; Samantha Lewis

Broadcast
First Place
History is worth saving; News 12; Shosh Bedrosian, Christopher Wood, John Dempsey, Christina Alaio
Second Place
‘Every kid deserves a chance to play’: Windsor honors coach lost to COVID-19; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Gregg Monte
Third Place
Same spot at the table; News 12; Lauren Fabrizi, Frank Bruce

News Photo

Hyperlocal
First Place
A day to remember: Guilford observes 20th anniversary of 9/11; Guilford Courier; Wesley Bunnell
Second Place
Girl with flag at Memorial Day Parade; Easton Courier; Richard Falco

Regional A
First Place
Tree lighting; New Haven Register; Arnold Gold
Second Place
Standing for liberty; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Third Place
Visiting firebrand; The Day; Sean D. Elliot

Regional B
First Place
Funeral of Officer Benjamin Lovett; Journal Inquirer; Jim Michaud

Non-Page 1 Layout

Regional A
First Place
9/11; Hearst CT Media; Bryan Haeffele
Second Place
From beyond the grave; Waterbury Republican-American; Bill O’Brien
Third Place
The 14th Regiment, Connecticut; Waterbury Republican-American; Jim Flynn

Regional B
First Place
UConn basketball preview; Journal Inquirer; Hollister Breslin
Second Place
Celebrating 150 years; New Britain Herald; James Drzewiecki

Magazine
First Place
Off the beaten paths; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody
Second Place
Home & design guide; Connecticut Magazine; Alyson Moschcovich
Third Place
The Remains look back; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Page 1 Layout

Regional A
First Place
Pandemic deaths leave an irreplaceable void; The Day; Scott Ritter
Second Place
When the dream came to CT; Hearst CT Media; Sue Nusbaum
Third Place
Big blaze, big loss, big art; Waterbury Republican-American; Jim Flynn

Regional B
First Place
Funky, diverse; Greenwich Time; Susan Nusbaum
Second Place
Bonded by tragedy; News-Times; Lynn Schnier

Magazine
First Place
River’s realty enriches valley; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert
Second Place
Connecticut Magazine 50th anniversary cover; Connecticut Magazine; Ryan Olbrysh
Third Place
Fame and the Forrest Gump effect; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Photo Essay

Hyperlocal
First Place
The Easton Fireman’s Carnival is in town!; Easton Courier; Richard Falco
Second Place
Easton celebrates Memorial Day; Easton Courier; Richard Falco and Kelly Wendt

Regional A
First Place
Tropical Storm Henri in CT; Hearst CT Media; Staff
Second Place
Bone finder; Hearst CT Media; Patrick Sikes
Third Place
Danbury Mall shooting; Hearst CT Media; Liz Hardaway, Peter Yankowski, Tara O’Neill, Sandra Diamond Fox, H. John Voorhees III, Patrick Sikes, Nicole Funaro, Lidia Ryan

Regional B
First Place
Mad science; Greenwich Time; Susan Nusbaum, Christian Abraham
Second Place
Wadin’ and shadin’; Stamford Advocate; Susan Nusbaum, Christian Abraham
Third Place
Independence through art; Stamford Advocate; Susan Nusbaum,Christian Abraham

Magazine
First Place
Between two worlds; Seasons Magazine; Stan Godlewski
Second Place
Pilobolus dance; Connecticut Voice; Stan Godlewski
Third Place
The egg & I; Seasons Magazine; Mary Quinn

Religion

Hyperlocal
First Place
In search of grace; Easton Courier; Jane Paley
Second Place
What it takes to get through the darkest of dark times; The Sound; Pem McNerney

Regional A
First Place
Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe; Waterbury Republican-American; Jay Dunn
Second Place
Farewell, Father Joe; Waterbury Republican-American; Tracey O’Shaughnessy
Third Place
For Old Lyme minister, it’s social justice and more; The Day; Elizabeth Regan

Regional B
First Place
Kapelye conjures Hanukkah miracles on Tower Lane; Arts Paper; Lucy Gellman
Second Place
Queer And Christian: Children of God find the light; Arts Paper; Leah Andelsmith
Third Place
A tinge of racial or religious fear; The Hour; Abigail Brone

Magazine
First Place
Have faith: How LGBTQ+ clergy are welcoming us home for the holidays; Connecticut Voice; Dawn Ennis
Second Place
Going where the spirit leads; WAG Magazine; Phil Hall

Broadcast
First Place
Exorcism in Stamford; News 12; Sean McCabe, John Dempsey

Reporting Series

Hyperlocal
First Place
Students help beloved counselor find kidney donor — right in town; Good Morning Wilton; Kathy Bonnist, Heather Borden Herve
Second Place
Making music; Valley Courier; Rita Christopher

Regional A
First Place
Lost to abuse; Connecticut Post; Clare Dignan, Verónica Del Valle
Second Place
Planning for a changing climate; Connecticut Mirror; Jan Ellen Spiegel
Third Place
Fish tales: Life on the sea; The Day; Joe Wojtas, Greg Smith, Erica Moser

Magazine
First Place
MLK’s vision; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert, Naviah Barrow​, Katherine Napier, ​Lisa G. Samia​, Sarah Thompson, ​Terri Wilson

Broadcast
First Place
Back to in-person school: How the pandemic is affecting Connecticut education; WNPR; Walter Smith Randolph, Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Jim Haddadin
Second Place
Connecticut remembers 9/11, 20 years later; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Lorraine Roe, Jon Wardle, Thea DiGiammerino, Keisha Grant, Kevin Nathan, Len Besthoff, Dan Corcoran, Dominique Moody, Katherine Loy

Sports Column

Regional A
First Place
A daughter’s promise; Hearst CT Media; Jeff Jacobs
Second Place
Baylor coach Kim Mulkey’s COVID comments ignorant and dangerous; Hearst CT Media; Jeff Jacobs
Third Place
Like father, like son, both knew UConn football was a challenge Jim Mora couldn’t resist; Hartford Courant; Dom Amore

Regional B
First Place
Gildea, Strand shared a special bond; The Chronicle; Mike Sypher
Second Place
Rich kids sports offer road to Ivies; Greenwich Time; David Rafferty
Third Place
When it comes to sports gambling, the game is rigged; Greenwich Time; David Rafferty

Sports Feature

Hyperlocal
First Place
She just wanted to play; Valley Courier; Pem McNerney
Second Place
Remembering Newington co-op’s historic 5 OT win; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.
Third Place
Being grateful a key for Helstein during pandemic; Greenwich Sentinel; Paul Silverfarb

Regional A
First Place
NFA senior Valeria Yraita-Zevallos draws strength from the women who raised her; The Day; Vickie Fulkerson
Second Place
UConn’s top 5; Hearst CT Media; David Borges
Third Place
The Equus Effect, an experiential equine program; Hartford Courant; Lori Riley

Regional B
First Place
‘Big Guy’ leaves a lasting legacy; The Chronicle; Mike Sypher
Second Place
Preparation, practice have helped Nick Grosso get to the NCAA tournament; Connecticut Wrestling Online; Gerry deSimas, Jr.
Third Place
A guardian over all of us; Record-Journal; Bryant Carpenter

Magazine
First Place
Okwandu relishes recollection of UConn title; Today Magazine; Nishant Gopalachar
Second Place
Raising the game; Seasons Magazine; Andrew Kelsey
Third Place
The beloved Hartford Whalers: A team that continues to inspire to this day; Seasons Magazine; Dennis House

Broadcast
First Place
Adaptive blind baseball; NBC 30; Matt Finkel
Second Place
Grandma Marge; News 12; Marissa Alter, Jim Mennino
Third Place
A perfect game; NBC 30; Matt Finkel

Hyperlocal
First Place
Avon stops Lewis Mills to win CCC Tier 4 title and secure a playoff berth; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.
Second Place
Avon beats Wallingford to win first American Legion baseball state championship; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.
Third Place
Hand defeats Guilford 43-18, qualifies for playoffs; The Source; Dean Bibens

Sports News

Regional A
First Place
Bueckers will get paid; Hearst CT Media; Paul Doyle
Second Place
Covid lab at UConn; Hearst CT Media; Mike Anthony
Third Place
UConn pitcher Justin Willis, family survived harrowing escape from collapsed condos in Surfside, FL; Hartford Courant; Dom Amore

Regional B
First Place
Coventry’s Prior has plenty in reserve; Journal Inquirer; Adam Betz
Second Place
UConn offer serves as motivation for Windsor football senior Samuels; Journal Inquirer; Kyle Maher

Broadcast
First Place
Play like Danni; News 12; Marissa Alter, Jim Mennino
Second Place
UHart moves to Division III; NBC 30; Matt Finkel

Sports Photo

Hyperlocal
First Place
A flat out; The Sound; Kelley Fryer

Regional A
First Place
Out of the box; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Second Place
Sweet leap; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Third Place
Pass defended; The Day; Sean D. Elliot

Regional B
First Place
Interference; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac
Second Place
Manchester beats Peabody; Journal Inquirer; Jim Michaud
Third Place
Endzone elation; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac

Video Storytelling

Hyperlocal
First Place
‘Modified and totally not normal’ Barlow Palooza; Easton Courier; Nancy Doniger, Richard Falco, Tomas Koeck
Second Place
Mr. Pompa’s surprise: Days before kidney transplant, more GOOD news for beloved WHS counselor; Good Morning Wilton; Heather Borden Herve

Regional A
First Place
Died in Salisbury Prison; Waterbury Republican-American; Lee Lewis, Martin Begnal
Second Place
Dog delivers paper in Mystic; The Day; Peter Huoppi
Third Place
The secret to finding a parking spot in Mystic; The Day; Peter Huoppi, Rick Koster

Broadcast
First Place
Adaptive blind baseball; NBC 30; Matt Finkel
Second Place
In my heart; News 12; Mark Sogofsky

Travel grants available for national SPJ conference in New Orleans

The Connecticut Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will again offer travel grants to the SPJ national conference.

Professional members of the CTSPJ chapter are eligible for reimbursements, with proof of receipt, of up to $1,100 toward conference expenses. Student members of SPJ in Connecticut are eligible for $500.

SPJ 2021 will run from Sept. 2 – 4 at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

To apply, submit an essay of 500 words or less about why you want to attend the conference, and how you have been, or would like to become, involved in CTSPJ events. That could include anything from helping with judging swaps, supporting programming, or volunteering to select scholarship winners.

Send the short essay, along with your SPJ member number, to Cindy Simoneau, a past president of the CTSPJ board, at simoneauc1@southernct.edu.

Simoneau will prepare all entries for a blind review by the CTSPJ board.

One professional member and one student member will be selected. The winners must be members in good standing of CTSPJ. New members are welcome to apply.

To confirm your membership status, contact national Membership Coordinator Caroline Escobar at cescobar@hq.spj.org or 317-361-4132.

The deadline to apply for the grants is noon on Saturday, July 17 Wednesday, July 21.

College contest finalists announced for the 2020-21 contest

The Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists’ student contest organizers have announced the following finalists for the 2020-21 academic year:

Audio Storytelling

The Bachelor nation controversy; Central Connecticut State University; Kelly Langevin, Samantha Bender

COVID-19 Reporting

A stitch at a time; Crescent magazine; Jason Edwards

Behind the scenes of Quinnipiac’s testing infrastructure; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Emily DiSalvo

Big E acclimates to COVID-19; Central Connecticut State University; Alleah C. Red

CCSU implements new COVID-19 testing plans for spring semester; Central Connecticut State University; Ryan Michael Jones

Coronavirus weekly testing is required for students only, parents react online; Q30 Television; Olivia Schueller

Covid-19 travel advisories; Central Connecticut State University; Alleah C. Red

Frontline Owls; Crescent magazine; Jason Edwards

Future teachers take on COVID-19; Crescent magazine; Liz Getts

Phase 2.1; Central Connecticut State University; Amanda Kenny

Editorial/Op-ed

A satirical year in review; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Ashley Pelletier

America’s indifference toward the Black body; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Toyloy Brown III

Content creators; Crescent magazine; Jessica Guerrucci

Could ‘Ginny & Georgia’ be the next ‘Gilmore Girls?’; Q30 Television; Maggie Smith

It’s time for Fairfield students, faculty, and staff to ignite their inner activist!; Fairfield Mirror; Peyton Perry

More grasp for sexual assault awareness month; Southern News; Sofia Rositani

NBC’s, ‘The Voice’ (and America) have a race problem; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Emily DiSalvo

Feature

Advance your future career with an internship; Crescent magazine; Elizabeth Mercado

Being Black at Quinnipiac; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Emily DiSalvo

Brooksvale Park’s Sugar Shack sees another maple sugar tapping season; Q30 Television; Hannah Mirsky

Crafts on campus; Crescent magazine; Sarah Shelton

Hero among us; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Chatwan Mongkol

LGBTQ @ QU; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Emily DiSalvo

Miniature wargaming is new hobby; Crescent magazine; Elizabeth Mercado

Quinnipiac professor appreciation video seen by thousands; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Melina Khan

Real representation; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Ashley Pelletier

The show must go on: Breaking the stigma against theater majors; Crescent magazine; Sarah Shelton

Feature Photo

Magician Joel Meyers took the stage during SPB’s Welcome Week.; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Morgan Tencza

QU nutrition; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Morgan Tencza

General Column/Commentary

Controversy behind the closure of WQUN radio station; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Chatwan Mongkol

North Haven students are unhappy with dining hall closure; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Emily Flamme, Melina Khan

The strike that almost popped the bubble; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Toyloy Brown III

Will anything be normal again?; Central Connecticut State University; Ryan Michael Jones

General Reporting

A first-year student reflects on 9/11, a day she will never remember or forget; Q30 Television; Hannah Mirsky

Accreditation potentially at risk; Southern News; Ellis McGinley

Athletic training program may shut its doors to students earlier than expected; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Jessica Simms

BOR proposals ‘stink’ says faculty; Southern News; Ellis McGinley

Contract disputes continue for CSU AAUP; Central Connecticut State University; Ryan Michael Jones

Elmer’s Place receives aid from Barstool Fund and GoFundMe to stay afloat; Central Connecticut State University; Samantha Bender

Facilities stressed out amid COVID-19 pandemic; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Emily DiSalvo

Free clothing closet located in the Sage Center; Southern News; Sofia Rositani

Jackson Lamar profile; SCSU TV; Kiara Smith

Lavender graduation honors eight LQBTQ+ students; Southern News; Ellis McGinley

Quinnipiac community responds to new law; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Toyloy Brown III

Quinnipiac University will implement a new parking fee beginning next semester; Q30 Television; Joseph LoGrippo

Spring housing numbers for CCSU decline; Central Connecticut State University; Ryan Michael Jones

Sticker by number event; SCSU TV; Kiara Smith

News Photo

MAAC cancels the remainder of its postseason tournament; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Morgan Tencza

Quinnipiac faculty join the fight for LGBTQ policy reform; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Connor Lawless

Something or nothing — you choose; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Morgan Tencza

Non-Page 1 Layout

A stitch at a time; Crescent magazine; Muhaymina Plair

Music and the mind: How music can positively affect mental health; Crescent magazine; Muhaymina Plair

Yellow sun at high noon; Crescent magazine; Muhaymina Plair

Sports Feature Story

“Move the chains James” Tyshaun James talks practice-filled fall; Central Connecticut State University; Ryan Michael Jones

A pandemic abroad: Heijningen talks volleyball in world of COVID-19; Central Connecticut State University; Ryan Michael Jones

Junior Amani Free takes scoring, leadership role for Quinnipiac; Q30 Television; Quinton Hamilton

Scott Burrell reflects on baseball career; Southern News; Mike Neville

Women in sports media; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Toyloy Brown III

Sports News Story

Donyell Marshall’s contract not renewed, coaching search begins; Central Connecticut State University; Ryan Michael Jones

Patrick Sellers officially named next basketball coach; Central Connecticut State University; Ryan Michael Jones

The monetary toll of a sports-less semester; Central Connecticut State University; Ryan Michael Jones

With plenty still unknown, Quinnipiac men’s basketball takes the court; Q30 Television; Jacob Resnick

Sports Photo

Kevin Marfo dunk; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Morgan Tencza

Peter Diliberatore yells after missing a goal scoring opportunity; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Morgan Tencza

Quinnipiac shuts out Yale to claim Heroes Hat and series sweep; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Morgan Tencza

Video Storytelling

#THAT 2020 Emmy Awards recap; Q30 Television; Maggie Smith

#THAT Bachelor breakdown: February 6, 2020; Q30 Television; Caroline Torpey

CCSU seniors will be graduating In person; Central Connecticut State University; Kelly Langevin

Quinnipiac Tonight: Producer switch; Q30 Television; Abby Blackmore

Quinnipiac Tonight: The Real Housewives of Q30 Television; Q30 Television; Ben Labadia, Jamie Manley

The Covid generation: Academic burnout- documentary; Central Connecticut State University; Samantha Bender

 

Contest winners will be announced in June here on our website.  

Journalism-related job openings in Connecticut & beyond

Bob Eddy Scholarship winners announced for 2020

The Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists has chosen its 2020 recipients of the Bob Eddy Scholarship, who together will receive a total of $6,000 from the fund.

To qualify for a scholarship, students must be entering their junior or senior year of college in fall 2020 and be enrolled at an accredited Connecticut university or be a Connecticut resident enrolled at an accredited university elsewhere.

The scholarship committee considers journalism samples, commitment to the industry, academic success and financial need when determining the winners.

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven manages the Bob Eddy Scholarship Fund. To donate to the fund, please click here. 

The 2020 scholarship award winners are:

Emily DiSalvo (Bob Eddy Award – $2,500), who’s entering her third year in the 3+1 journalism program at Quinnipiac University. She has lived in Portland, Connecticut, her whole life and has always loved reading the local papers and writing. Since starting college, she has been an associate news editor, news editor and arts and life editor at the Quinnipiac Chronicle. She has interned with CT News Junkie and most recently The Hill in Washington, D.C. She also freelances for several local publications in Connecticut. After college, she hopes to move to D.C. and cover national politics or education. In her free time she enjoys playing tennis, doing yoga, reading, watching the news and spending time with her five cats.

Jason Edwards (Bob Eddy Award – $1,500), a journalism major at Southern Connecticut State University who has a minor in public relations and is going into his senior year this fall. Edwards is a photo editor for student-run Crescent magazine. He also has reported several stories for The Southern News and serves as an assistant photographer in the university’s Office of Integrated Communications and Marketing. Edwards lives in Ansonia, Connecticut, and hopes to go into journalism or public relations after graduation.

Zoe Pierce (Bob Eddy Award – $1,000), a rising junior journalism and film major at the University of Maryland. She works at the university’s independent student newspaper, The Diamondback, most recently as assistant managing editor. When not at school, she lives with her family in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Fiona Brady (Bob Eddy Award – $1,000), a rising senior at the University of Connecticut who studies journalism and political science. Her career goal is to become a TV news reporter and anchor. On campus, she’s involved in UCTV News, UConn’s student-run TV station. She also interviews professors, students, and alumni and writes articles for UConn’s Neag School of Education website. She interned at WTNH News 8 in New Haven last summer and this summer will be interning at CBS News in New York.

Bob Eddy Scholarship winners for 2019 announced

The Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists this month chose four college students who will receive a total of $6,000 from the Bob Eddy Scholarship Foundation.

To qualify for a scholarship, students must begin their junior or senior year in fall 2019 and either be enrolled at an accredited Connecticut university or be a Connecticut resident enrolled at an accredited university elsewhere.

The scholarship committee considers past journalism work, commitment to the industry, academic success and financial need when determining the winners.

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven manages the Bob Eddy Scholarship Foundation. To donate to the scholarship fund, please click here. 

The 2019 scholarship award winners are:

Sarah Rose Willson (Bob Eddy Award – $2,500) is a senior at Central Connecticut State University who majors in journalism and minors in political science. She was the editor-in-chief of her university’s newspaper, The Recorder, and was president of SPJ’s CCSU chapter for one year. Willson is interning at Al Arabiya in Washington, D.C., and will graduate from CCSU in spring 2020.

Sanchali Singh (Bob Eddy Award – $1,500) is a journalism student at the University of Maryland with a minor in sustainability. After graduation, she wants to work as an environmental journalist raising awareness about anthropogenic climate change. Her interest in journalism started from journaling about traveling with her family in her childhood. Singh grew up in Connecticut and spends her free time reading, cooking and hiking.

Gabriel Pietrorazio (Bob Eddy Award – $1,000) is a rising senior at Hobart and William Smith Colleges who’s pursuing dual majors in media and society and political science. Pietrorazio has served as an intern reporter at the Town Times of Watertown, Connecticut, and Finger Lakes Times of Geneva, New York. He also was a feature news reporter for FingerLakes1.com in Seneca Falls, New York, and remains a freelancer for FL1. This summer, Pietrorazio returned to the Town Times as the Thomaston reporter. He also hosts and produces a new weekly video-podcast program titled, “Talk of the Town.”

Ashley Anglisano (Bob Eddy Award – $1,000) is a junior at the University of Connecticut studying journalism and communications with a minor in political science. She is the associate news editor of UConn’s student-run newspaper, The Daily Campus. She also is a special events correspondent for AVweb news, an aviation-focused news organization. She contributes graphic design help to Aviation Consumer magazine and runs its social media accounts. Anglisano hopes to work at a local paper after graduating from UConn.

College contest winners announced for 2018-19 contest

CT SPJ college contest winn… by on Scribd

Winners announced for our annual CT SPJ Excellence in Journalism Awards for 2018 entries

All Media Special Awards

First Amendment Award
First Place
D’Amelio attorney says arrest expunged; threatens lawsuit; NancyonNorwalk; Nancy Chapman

Stephen A. Collins Public Service Award
First Place
The Hartford Courant’s five-year fight for Adam Lanza documents; Hartford Courant; Dave Altimari, Andrew Julien, Matthew Kauffman, Josh Kovner

Theodore Driscoll Award for Investigative Reporting
First Place
Denied: A look into inmate health care; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas and Clarice Silber

Arts & Entertainment

Hyperlocal
First Place
Curious about Ed Vebell, patrons pack Historical Society; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Second Place
Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t; Valley Courier; Pem McNerney
Third Place
Jim DeCesare feature; Canton Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Regional A
First Place
Can Hartford’s Parkville neighborhood be an arts destination? These developers think so.; Hartford Courant; RebeccaLurye
Second Place
New Da Vinci discovered?; Waterbury Republican-American; Tracey O’Shaughnessy
Third Place
The new face of drag; The Day; Mary Biekert

Regional B
First Place
Stamford’s State Cinema to close, despite family’s efforts; Stamford Advocate; Barry Lytton
Second Place
Danbury composer channels ire over fallen innocents; News-Times; Christina Hennessy
Third Place
One hot summer night at the Shaboo; The Chronicle; Claire Galvin

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Dreams and illusions; Seasons Magazine; Frank Rizzo
Second Place
Looking in Theatre offers students the chance to open the doors to dialogue; Connecticut Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger

Third Place
‘Samson et Dalila’ … et Darko; Hartford Magazine; Frank Rizzo

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Little princess; News 12; Marissa Alter, Mark Sogofsky
Second Place
There is life; News 12; Nina Kapur, Christopher Wood

Audio Storytelling

Regional A
First Place
Case unsolved; The Day; Karen Florin, Lindsay Boyle, Erica Moser, Peter Huoppi, Carlos Virgen, Tim Cotter, Izaskun Larraneta
Second Place
Young voters could decide the election. We talked to a few of them.; Hartford Courant; Mike Hamad
Third Place
Here’s what you can expect if Connecticut gambles on sports betting next year; Hartford Courant; Mike Hamad

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Adaptive sailing program launches in Stonington; WNPR; David DesRoches
Second Place
What secrets are hidden inside the call of a bat?; WNPR; Patrick Skahill
Third Place
A pound for pound history of Connecticut’s weights and measures; WNPR; Patrick Skahill

Breaking News

Hyperlocal
First Place
At 9/11 memorial, rain mixes with tears; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Second Place
Staples student in custody after violence threat; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Third Place
Flu complications caused New Canaan boy’s sudden death, say officials; New Canaan News; Erin Kayata and Humberto Rocha

Regional A
First Place
Official: Woman lit dynamite, thought it was candle; blew off fingers; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill
Second Place
Milford man charged with assault after standoff; Connecticut Post; Amanda Cuda, Jim Shay
Third Place
Teen dead after police pursuit, crash; victim ID’d; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill, Jim Shay

Regional B
First Place
‘God was by our side’; The Chronicle; Michelle Firestone
Second Place
Man purposely crashed car into Middlesex Hospital, set himself on fire, officials say; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day
Third Place
Police detonate pressure cooker found outside Israel Putnam School in Meriden; Record-Journal; Bryan Lipiner, Lauren Sellew

Business

Hyperlocal
First Place
Mitchells: Guided 60 years by a mom & pop philosophy; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Second Place
Marci Moreau gets naked; West Hartford LIFE; Mara Dresner
Third Place
Commuter Coffee says goodbye at Railroad Place; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio

Regional A
First Place
Credit union scam remains a mystery; The Day; Lee Howard
Second Place
Ticket to a new life; Hartford Courant; Matthew Ormseth
Third Place
How business strategies put Obsitnik in the GOP primary; Connecticut Post; Dan Haar

Regional B
First Place
Fans, friends mourn loss of late ‘Wild’ Bill Ziegler’s Nostalgia store; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day
Second Place
Torrington couple opens new cafe, taking another step in longtime history of family home; Register Citizen; Ben Lambert
Third Place
Shucking returns to Copps Island Oysters in Norwalk; The Hour; Kaitlyn Krasselt

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Mind, body & soul: mActivity is a different kind of fitness center; Seasons Magazine; Frank Rizzo
Second Place
The spectrum of success; Seasons Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Third Place
On the road again; Seasons Magazine; Carol Latter

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Attracting Amazon: How much Connecticut spent to become home to HQ2; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Dave Michnowicz
Second Place
Jump drum; News 12; Marissa Alter, Jim Mennino
Third Place
Wanke’s Yankee; News 12; Nina Kapur, Christopher Wood

Continuing Coverage

Hyperlocal
First Place
Lunch ladies battle for jobs; Branford Eagle; Sally E. Bahner
Second Place
Town wrestles with school security issues; Branford Eagle; Sally E. Bahner
Third Place
At P&Z, strong opposition to medical marijuana facilities; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio

Regional A
First Place
Voters in CT suburbs, once reliably Republican, may power a blue wave in age of Trump; Hartford Courant; Daniella Altimari
Second Place
Is school desegregation working?; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Jake Kara
Third Place
Bullets over Brass City; Waterbury Republican-American; Jonathan Shugarts

Regional B
First Place
Coverage of the May 2018 tornardo/microburst; Record-Journal; Mary Ellen Godin, Matt Zabierek, Jeniece Roman, Bailey Wright, Devin Leith-Yessian, Lauren Sellew
Second Place
Mold issues grow in Stamford schools; Stamford Advocate; Erin Kayata
Third Place
Purdue faces uphill battle to overcome opioid controversy; Stamford Advocate; Paul Schott

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
‘Nowhere to go’: Some CT Transit bus drivers wearing adult diapers on the job; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz

Courts/Crime

Hyperlocal
First Place
Asleep at the switch: Madison Police remove three dispatchers for sleeping on the job; The Source; Zoe Roos
Second Place
Lunch ladies charged in half-million dollar scam; New Canaan News; Humberto Rocha

Regional A
First Place
One family’s sole survivor; The Day; Karen Florin
Second Place
With soccer dreams shattered, Mitchell Anderson to be sentenced for Dillon Stadium fraud; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Matthew Kauffman
Third Place
Life in a cult: fear, abuse; Hartford Courant; David Owens

Regional B
First Place
Saved by the cell; Journal Inquirer; Alex Wood
Second Place
Norwalk father watches son play in Babe Ruth World Series, an immigration checkpoint changes all; The Hour; Justin Papp
Third Place
Experts: Prevention of Claxton’s suicide not possible in Conn.; Stamford Advocate; Barry Lytton

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Wrongfully imprisoned for 27 Years, Mark Schand is finally living the life he always wanted; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Home companion arrest raises questions about hiring process; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Garett Allison
Second Place
HPD wrong way pursuit; NBC 30; Len Besthoff-Reporter, David Michnowicz
Third Place
Danger in the driver’s seat: Dozens of CT transit drivers report assaults; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz

Data

Regional A
First Place
Home prices across Connecticut have failed to recover since peak in 2007; Hartford Courant; Kenneth R. Gosselin
Second Place
Totals don’t tell full story of drug overdoses; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill
Third Place
In divided territory, dispute rages on; Hartford Courant; Alex Putterman

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Missing pieces: Guns stolen from CT suburbs turning up at crime scenes; NBC 30; Shyang Puri
Second Place
Connecticut governor’s race: Where are contributions coming from?; WNPR; Patrick Skahill

Diversity Coverage

Regional A
First Place
Access to AP courses often elusive for low-income students; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
Second Place
Strategic outreach bridging gap in pregnancy-related outcomes; Connecticut Health I-Team; Elizabeth Heubeck
Third Place
After tumultuous summer, Hartford police look to hire more minority officers; Hartford Courant; Matthew Ormseth, Jenna Carlesso

Regional B
First Place
Latino students face unique hurdles; Greenwich Time; Jo Kroeker
Second Place
Black, Hispanic cops a minority on Danbury police force; News-Times; Zach Murdock
Third Place
A year after Hurricane Maria, residents displaced from Puerto Rico still adjusting; Record-Journal; Jeniece Roman

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
The spectrum of success; Seasons Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Second Place
Spreading peace: Former gang member’s center focuses on resolving conflict; Hartford Magazine; Matthew Broderick

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
For a teen with Autism, being different was seen as being dangerous; WNPR; David DesRoches

Editorial

Regional A
First Place
Haddam Selectwoman is owed an apology; Hartford Courant; Stephen Busemeyer
Second Place
Arming teachers makes schools more dangerous; Connecticut Post; Jacqueline Smith
Third Place
Elizabeth Esty must resign; Hartford Courant; Stephen Busemeyer

Regional B
First Place
Unthinkable is now devastatingly routine in schools; The Hour; Nancy Shulins
Second Place
Meriden School Readiness Council operated in secret; Record-Journal; Jeffery Kurz
Third Place
Keeping Sandy Hook investigation secret is inconsistent with democracy; Record-Journal; Glenn Richter

Editorial Cartoon

Regional A
First Place
Passing the buck; The Day; Jacinta Meyers
Second Place
Fake news; The Day; Jacinta Meyers

Regional B
First Place
Wallingford microburst hits twice; Record-Journal; Kevin Markowski

Education

Hyperlocal
First Place
Staples students, victims of sexual assault, look to change school policy; Westport News; Justin Papp
Second Place
Parents banned from eating lunch with children at Darien schools; Darien News; Lynandro Simmons

Regional A
First Place
Metropolitan Business Academy students show, not tell, on final exam; New Haven Register; Brian Zahn
Second Place
How safe are Connecticut students at school?; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
Third Place
No pressure, but … another principal takes over at Bassick; Connecticut Post; Linda Lambeck

Regional B
First Place
Sacred Heart Greenwich threatens to ban student over Planned Parenthood sticker; Greenwich Time; Emilie Munson
Second Place
Despite little progress, more efforts underway to recruit minority teachers; News-Times; Zach Murdock
Third Place
Greenwich schools consider menu overhaul after complaints; Greenwich Time; Jo Kroeker

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Connecticut’s rural schools get creative to stay viable; WNPR; David DesRoches
Second Place
The high cost of educating students displaced by Hurricane Maria; NBC 30; Shyang Puri, Garett Allison
Third Place
Cyberthreats become disruption in Connecticut schools; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Garett Allison

Feature Photo

Hyperlocal
First Place
Drawing a crowd; Harbor News; Kelley Fryer
Second Place
Compo cloud; WestportNow.com; Anna-Liisa Nixon
Third Place
Greeting daddy; WestportNow.com; Gordon Joseloff

Regional A
First Place
Barn reading; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan
Second Place
Cancer wedding; The Day; Sarah Gordon
Third Place
Lizard encounter; The Day; Dana Jensen

Regional B
First Place
Mail roots; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac
Second Place
Jumping for joy; The Chronicle; Roxanne Pandolfi
Third Place
Up in the air with acro yoga; Record-Journal; Richie Rathsack

Feature Story

Hyperlocal
First Place
Race. Wreck. Fix. Repeat; The Source; Pem McNerney
Second Place
Whimsical trail brings hope to Belltown; Glastonbury Citizen – Rivereast News Bulletin; Elizabeth Regan
Third Place
Grand marshal Larry Aasen on war and remembrance; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio

Regional A
First Place
A ‘horrific’ scene unfolds; Hartford Courant; Christine Dempsey
Second Place
Training empowers everyday people to help save lives; New Haven Register; Peter Hvizdak
Third Place
Fighting hate; Waterbury Republican-American; Michael DeGirolamo Jr.

Regional B
First Place
Coastal town offers a sheltering sky; News-Times; Rob Ryser
Second Place
Lost, but not forgotten: Meriden’s Vietnam casualties; Record-Journal; Leigh Tauss
Third Place
Second-hand retailer Euphoria mixes commerce, community; Fairfield County Business Journal; Phil Hall

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Service dog frauds: The safety of truly dependent people could be at risk; Hartford Magazine; Leonard Felson
Second Place
A room of their own: Local couple’s efforts provide peace and comfort in difficult times; Seasons Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Third Place
The ancient tradition of seeking sanctuary in churches has been reborn in Connecticut; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Hating on CT; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Garett Allison
Second Place
Rejected: Vanity license plates you won’t see on the road; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Jon Wardle
Third Place
Mysterious suitcase helps Connecticut man discover his grandfather’s WWII service; WNPR; David DesRoches

General Column

Hyperlocal
First Place
Bill Seiden, 91: A reporter’s retrospective; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Second Place
Musings from Mara; Glastonbury LIFE; Mara Dresner

Regional A
First Place
Connecticut Landmarks neglects 1700s Stonington house, despite endowment; The Day; David Collins
Second Place
The ballad of the Depression Kid; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon
Third Place
Side issues are the economy; Connecticut Post; Dan Haar

Regional B
First Place
We could sure use Lincoln today; Record-Journal; Jeffery Kurz
Second Place
Birth mother vs. bio mother; Stamford Advocate; Deborah DiSesa Hirsch
Third Place
Empty nest, packed emotions; Stamford Advocate; Deborah DiSesa Hirsch

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
In our midst: Garage of dreams; Hartford Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper
Second Place
In our midst: How she heals; Hartford Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper
Third Place
In our midst: Key man; Hartford Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper

Government

Hyperlocal
First Place
Norwalk wired $900K to scammers; may settle reimbursement lawsuit; NancyonNorwalk; Nancy Chapman
Second Place
East Hampton hub ballots destroyed, questions remain; Glastonbury Citizen – Rivereast News Bulletin; Elizabeth Regan

Regional A
First Place
Connecticut politics take a toxic turn; Hartford Courant; Neil Vigdor
Second Place
New debate stirs over Hartford’s residency requirement; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Vinny Vella
Third Place
Malloy myth is dead wrong; he slashed state spending; Connecticut Post; Dan Haar

Regional B
First Place
Prison health care compromised; Journal Inquirer; Will Healey
Second Place
Developer BLT seeks new tax district to expand footprint in Stamford neighborhood; Stamford Advocate; Barry Lytton
Third Place
Overtime pays for Danbury cop shortage; News-Times; Dirk Perrefort

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
A day in the life; Hartford Magazine; Rand Richards Cooper

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Structurally deficient bridges in Connecticut at risk for closure; NBC 30; Shyang Puri, Garett Allison
Second Place
Tenant troubles; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Katherine Loy, Garett Allison
Third Place
Connecticut has given private schools over $3M in public cash for security upgrades; WNPR; David DesRoches

Headline

Hyperlocal
First Place
RTM to utility wires: We will bury you; WestportNow.com; Gordon Joseloff
Second Place
Three speeds, one mission etc; The Sound; Pam Johnson

Regional A
First Place
Grits, froyo, sweetings; New Haven Register; Lynn Schnier
Second Place
Custer’s last strand?; The Day; Joe Turco
Third Place
In the merry merry month of May; The Day; John Ruddy

Regional B
First Place
Unorthodox sanctuaries/Spring in step/ Marilyn moon row; Stamford Advocate; Ashley Winchester
Second Place
At sixes and sevens/A springer in her step/Before you go, go; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum
Third Place
Mettle, zen, taps; News-Times; Lynn Schnier

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Super bowl/Savage garden/The Twain you shall meet; Connecticut Magazine; Albert Yuravich

Health

Hyperlocal
First Place
Schools grapple with handling sexual assault complaints; WestportNow.com; James Lomuscio
Second Place
When it comes to suicide prevention, direct is best; Guilford Courier; Pem McNerney

Regional A
First Place
Costs and access still barriers to health care, survey finds; Connecticut Health I-Team; Kaitlyn Regan, Ryan Conchado, Kevin Crompton, Jailene Cuevas, Melanie Espinal, Jonathan Gonzalez, Andrew Hans, Megan Hill, Patrick Quinn O’Neill, August Pelliccio, Michael Riccio, Alyssa Rice
Second Place
From tears to Cinderella at prom; Hartford Courant; David Owens
Third Place
Former Middletown swimmer putting a face to PTSD; Hartford Courant; Rebecca Lurye

Regional B
First Place
Every time they shoot up could be the last; Journal Inquirer; Zachary F. Vasile
Second Place
After surviving teenage suicide attempt, Wallingford woman creating awareness; Record-Journal; Mary Ellen Godin

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Smarter diets; Hartford Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Second Place
A doctor in your phone; Hartford Magazine; Theresa Sullivan Barger
Third Place
Psychedelic drugs show promise for treatment of PTSD; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Nailed by complaints: Issues plaguing Connecticut nail salons; NBC 30; Shyang Puri
Second Place
Laser hair removal services; NBC 30; Sandra Jones
Third Place
Dirty school air; NBC 30; Len Besthoff-Reporter, David Michnowicz, Garett Allison

Humorous Column

Hyperlocal
First Place
Matter of opinion; Stamford Magazine; Beth Levine

Regional A
First Place
You’re in the bathroom, get off your phone; Hartford Courant; Rand Richards Cooper

Regional B
First Place
Isn’t It Romantic?; Stamford Advocate; Jerry Zezima
Second Place
News cycle sets Kid’s wheels turning; Stamford Advocate; John Breunig
Third Place
Sofa, I need to move on to another; The Chronicle; Traci Hastings

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
A day to forgive; Seasons Magazine; Matthew Dicks
Second Place
The cargument; Hartford Magazine; Sarah Wesley Lemire

In-Depth

Hyperlocal
First Place
Race. Wreck. Fix. Repeat; The Source; Pem McNerney
Second Place
Shoreline gathers for March for Our Lives; Branford Eagle; Sally E. Bahner

Regional A
First Place
A killer’s obsession: Writings outline descent into darkness, despair; Hartford Courant; Josh Kovner, Dave Altimari
Second Place
Nearly three quarters of Hartford children live in areas with high rates of gun violence; Hartford Courant; Rebecca Lurye
Third Place
An East Lyme family’s honest obituary; The Day; Lindsay Boyle

Regional B
First Place
Ousted residents never had their say; Journal Inquirer; Will Healey
Second Place
Opioid crisis fuels massive litigation against Purdue Pharma; Stamford Advocate; Paul Schott
Third Place
Maintenance deferred: Without funding, problems can grow like … mold; Stamford Advocate; Erin Kayata

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
King’s death sparked riots in Hartford 50 years ago: A look at the lasting effects; Hartford Magazine; David Holahan
Second Place
The battle to preserve Plum Island; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang
Third Place
Summer of discontent; Seasons Magazine; James Battaglio

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Firefighter PTSD; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, David Michnowicz, Jon Wardle
Second Place
Consignment shop sold; NBC 30; Sandra Jones
Third Place
The push for ‘green’ cemeteries in Connecticut; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Jon Wardle

Infographic Design

Regional B
First Place
Create your own budget; Record-Journal; Ron Rainey, Richie Rathsack

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Apples to apples; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody
Second Place
Recycling: In or out?; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Infographic Reporting

Regional A
First Place
An interactive look at development in Hartford; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Kenneth Gosselin, Timothy Reck
Second Place
See how your town fares in home price recovery; Hartford Courant; Kenneth R. Gosselin

Investigative

Hyperlocal
First Place
Police investigation shows safety concerns ahead of dredging death at Guilford Yacht Club; Guilford Courier; Zoe Roos

Regional A
First Place
Nurses’ drug abuse top cause of disciplining, but once sober, some nurses get relicensed; Connecticut Health I-Team; Kate Farrish, Carl Jordan Castro
Second Place
Denied: A look into inmate healthcare; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Clarice Silber
Third Place
Race for Gov; contrast of words, business; business record under scrutiny; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon

Regional B
First Place
Lyman Hall gym teacher resigned after student complaints of sexual harassment; Record-Journal; Matt Zabierek
Second Place
Scaife keeps in touch, on city’s dime; Record-Journal; Leigh Tauss
Third Place
Andover figure lost job over lewdness; Journal Inquirer; Emily Brindley

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Letters from Whiting; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jon Wardle, Matthew Glasser
Second Place
Nailed by complaints: Issues plaguing Connecticut nail salons; NBC 30; Shyang Puri
Third Place
Mortuary mixup; NBC 30; Sandra Jones

Leisure

Regional A
First Place
A fresh start 27 years later; Hartford Courant; Don Stacom
Second Place
What makes a great fried clam?; The Day; Mary Biekert
Third Place
Homecoming of sorts for Danny Meyer; Hartford Courant; Leeanne Griffin

Magazine

First Place

Perfectly imperfect heirloom apples are making a comeback

Erik Ofgang;   Connecticut Magazine

Second Place

Barbecue – Hot stuff: Your guide to everything smoky, saucy and sloppy

Kelly Vaughan;   Hartford Magazine

Third Place

Barcelona – Walking the city: Its riches unfold for travelers on foot

Joan DeNatale Green, Rick Green;   Hartford Magazine

 Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Food and fun; News 12; Sean McCabe, Nina Kapur, Christopher Wood

Hyperlocal
First Place
Perfecting perfection in the Village of Essex; Valley Courier; Pem McNerney

Local Reporting

Hyperlocal
First Place
A major problem at the 11th hour for Scranton Library; The Source; Zoe Roos
Second Place
Bluepoint Wellness: Marijuana as blueprint for pain control; Branford Eagle; Sally E. Bahner
Third Place
500 Main St.: Why has “the most dangerous intersection in Westport” never been fixed?; Westport News; Sophie Vaughn

Regional A
First Place
2014 stabbing death of Melissa Millan; Hartford Courant; Dave Altimari, David Owens, Nicholas Rondinone
Second Place
New debate stirs over Hartford’s residency requirement; Hartford Courant; Jenna Carlesso, Vinny Vella
Third Place
Scary bear encounters; Hartford Courant; Christine Dempsey

Regional B
First Place
Remaining Washington Village residents struggle with deteriorating conditions; The Hour; Justin Papp
Second Place
Homeless: A life and death in Danbury; News-Times; Zach Murdock
Third Place
Social workers: Fostering love; The Chronicle; Ekaterine Tchelidze, Claire Galvin

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Crumbling concrete & grand lists; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, David Michnowicz
Second Place
Proposal to turn rock quarry into reservoir faces mountain of opposition; WNPR; Patrick Skahill
Third Place
About time; News 12; Sean McCabe, Christopher Wood, Lori Golias

News Photo

Hyperlocal
First Place
We need change; The Source; Kelley Fryer
Second Place
Sad afternoon; WestportNow.com; Dave Matlow

Regional A
First Place
Lucky shots; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Second Place
Car fire; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Third Place
Tearful testimony; The Day; Sean D. Elliot

Regional B
First Place
Police train for a school shooting response; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac
Second Place
Grabbing some gear after the storm; Record-Journal; Richie Rathsack
Third Place
A high tech holiday; The Chronicle; Amar Batra

Non-Page 1 Layout

Regional A
First Place
Enough; Hartford Courant; Chris Moore
Second Place
Searching for success; Hartford Courant; Chris Moore
Third Place
Season’s sweetings; New Haven Register; Lynn Schnier

Regional B
First Place
Big 10 bound: Berlin native Burby signs letter of intent to play for Rutgers; New Britain Herald; David Glovach
Second Place
Greenwich Town Party; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum
Third Place
Crews to the rescue; News-Times; Sue Nusbaum

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
How to beach – Non-page1 layout; Hartford Magazine; Christopher Moore
Second Place
The ultimate “Hamilton” quiz: Non-page 1 layout; Hartford Magazine; Christopher Moore

Page 1 Layout

Regional A
First Place
All but forgotten; The Day; Melissa Johnson, Jacinta Meyers
Second Place
We the people …; Waterbury Republican-American; Jim Flynn
Third Place
New Haven Top 50; New Haven Register; Alyson Bowman

Regional B
First Place
The year that was; The Hour; Sue Nusbaum
Second Place
An unforgettable fire; The Chronicle; Jennifer Lemanski
Third Place
Ship wrecked; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Cover: The changing city; Hartford Magazine; Christopher Moore
Second Place
Top chefs share secrets – page 1/cover layout; Hartford Magazine; Christopher Moore, Patrick Raycraft
Third Place
Inspired: A renaissance of young artists – Page 1 layout; Hartford Magazine; Christopher Moore, Patrick Raycraft

Photo Essay

Regional A
First Place
Convention season; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko
Second Place
Swabs report in; The Day; Sean D. Elliot
Third Place
Shearing the Sheep; The Day; Sean D. Elliot

Regional B
First Place
Snowclone; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum, Tyler Sizemore
Second Place
Lighting the sky; Greenwich Time; Tyler Sizemore
Third Place
Dance of the ages; News-Times; H. John Voorhees III

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
Going all in on New Haven’s future; Seasons Magazine; Stan Godlewski
Second Place
The raw, the cooked, the bowls and the boiling; Seasons Magazine; Nick Caito

Religion

Hyperlocal
First Place
Bishop takes control of St. Paul’s Church in Darien; Darien News; Lynandro Simmons
Second Place
A new mission for Sister Caroline; The Sound; Pam Johnson
Third Place
Rector to stay amid tensions; Darien News; Humberto Rocha

Regional A
First Place
Painstaking, sacred work; Hartford Courant; Jordan Otero Sisson

Regional B
First Place
Joined in grief and faith; News-Times; Rob Ryser
Second Place
Florida couple hopes to establish Presbyterian church in Wallingford; Record-Journal; Bailey Wright
Third Place
‘A different style of church’ — Megachurch Hillsong makes home in Norwalk; The Hour; Justin Papp

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Stations of the cross; News 12; Frank Recchia, Mark Sogofsky

Reporting Series

Hyperlocal
First Place
This is ABC; 06880: Where Westport Meets the World; Dan Woog, Susan Woog Wagner
Second Place
Celebrating seniors; Valley Courier; Rita Christopher

Regional A
First Place
Extreme inequality: Connecticut’s wealth dilemma; Connecticut Mirror; Keith Phaneuf, Clarice Silber and Jake Kara
Second Place
Connecticut’s vanishing shoreline; Connecticut Mirror; Jan Ellen Spiegel
Third Place
Helping hands; The Day; Julia Bergman, Amanda Hutchinson, Kimberly Drelich, Karen Florin, Erica Moser, Mary Biekert

Regional B
First Place
Transfer trauma; Journal Inquirer; Will Healey
Second Place
Serving up love: The Covenant Soup Kitchen; The Chronicle; Claire Galvin

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
At a price! The high cost of local town living; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Shyang Puri, Dan Corcoran, Jill Konopka, Max Reiss, Matthew Glasser, Katherine Loy, Garett Allison, Jon Wardle, David Michnowicz, Steve Pancione
Second Place
CT do better; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Shyang Puri, Dan Corcoran, Matthew Glasser, Katherine Loy, Garett Allison, Jon Wardle, David Michnowicz

Sports Column

Regional A
First Place
A role model, flaws and all; Hartford Courant; Mike Anthony
Second Place
As records fall at girls State Open track, debate rages over transgender issue; GameTimeCT.com; Jeff Jacobs
Third Place
Family, legacy led Dan Hurley to UConn; Hartford Courant; Dom Amore

Regional B
First Place
Culture change: New Britain football sees recent season as strong building block for program; New Britain Herald; David Glovach
Second Place
Clyde Washburn: A life well lived; The Chronicle; Mike Sypher

Sports Feature

Hyperlocal
First Place
Remembering Frank ‘Coach’ Crisafi; East Haven Courier; PJ Foti
Second Place
Adakonis go-karts his way to top national ranking; Ridgefield Press; Tim Murphy
Third Place
‘A very rewarding journey’; Glastonbury LIFE; Mara Dresner

Regional A
First Place
The growing pressure and demands of coaching each year lead to some asking: ‘Is it even worth it?’; GameTimeCT.com; Doug Bonjour
Second Place
Epic rock-paper-scissors battle settles SCC baseball quarterfinal matchup; GameTimeCT.com; Pete Pagagua
Third Place
Amby Burfoot is giving it another go; The Day; Steve Fagin

Regional B
First Place
Biggest victory: After beating cancer, football more than game for New Britain’s Hernandez; New Britain Herald; David Glovach
Second Place
Season-ending injury cannot keep Kellner out of gym; Stamford Advocate; Scott Ericson
Third Place
‘I’ve never been a quitter,’ says ex-NFL player Amari Spievey; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day

Regional C (Magazine)
First Place
At UConn, Dan Hurley is taking on “the ultimate challenge”; Connecticut Magazine; David Borges
Second Place
For Anne Worcester, this tennis tournament is a labor of love; Connecticut Magazine; Paul Doyle

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
A life saving gift; News 12; Mark Sudol, Robert Cook
Second Place
Big dreams; News 12; Lauren Fabrizi, Keith Sunthorn

Sports News

Hyperlocal
First Place
Trailblazer: Gaughran is first girl on Ridgefield LL travel team; Ridgefield Press; Tim Murphy
Second Place
Simsbury tops Avon for fifth straight win and Valley Gridiron Classic; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.
Third Place
Alfredo finds success as rookie in NASCAR series; Ridgefield Press; Tim Murphy

Regional A
First Place
Playing with risk; Hartford Courant; Alex Putterman
Second Place
Coaches, parents question policy for high school transgender athletes; Hartford Courant; Lori Riley
Third Place
NCAA investigating UConn men; New Haven Register; Jeff Jacobs

Regional B
First Place
Gunn’s three touchdowns spark New Britain football over South Windsor, moves to 3-0; New Britain Herald; David Glovach
Second Place
Barber, Muir unstoppable as Greenwich shuts out New Canaan for CIAC Class LL state title; Greenwich Time; David Fierro
Third Place
Brusnwick’s Cornelius Johnson chooses Michigan; Greenwich Time; David Fierro

Sports Photo

Hyperlocal
First Place
Record set; North Haven Courier; Kelley Fryer
Second Place
Players and fans celebrate after winning in eight innings; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.

Regional A
First Place
No. 1 Ansonia suffers heartbreaking loss; Waterbury Republican-American; Bill Shettle
Second Place
Goalie save; The Day; Sarah Gordon
Third Place
Reach for the win; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan

Regional B
First Place
Powder Puff takedown; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac
Second Place
Not as close as once thought; Stamford Advocate; H. John Voorhees III
Third Place
Catching some air during Snocross; Record-Journal; Justin Weekes

Video Storytelling

Hyperlocal
First Place
Norwalk plants trees at Roodner Court; NancyonNorwalk; Harold Cobin
Second Place
Video: Justin Paul back at Coleytown Middle School; WestportNow.com; Helen Klisser During

Regional A
First Place
Sanctuary church in Old Lyme; The Day; Tim Cook
Second Place
Ella; Hartford Courant; Patrick Raycraft
Third Place
Brian Merritt: From guitar player to guitar maker; The Day; Peter Huoppi

Regional B
First Place
Christmas season brings Harry Potter, Phantom of the Opera and fiery hot cocoa to Cava; Record-Journal; Ashley Kus
Second Place
Organist keeps music alive at Meriden church; Record-Journal; Ashley Kus
Third Place
Kidcity museum in Middletown; Record-Journal; Bailey Wright

Regional D (Broadcast)
First Place
Christopher Wood composite; News 12; Christopher Wood
Second Place
Mark Sogofsky composite; News 12; Mark Sogofsky

Background on new venue for annual dinner

 

It’s time for making changes to the way we run our annual Excellence in Journalism awards dinner. Just as the media landscape is changing all around us, so should we. 

This year, we are trying a new type of venue for our awards dinner. Why? you ask. As most things, it comes down to money. 

The cost of hosting a sit-down dinner is becoming higher than the amount of money the chapter receives in organizing it. Simply put, CTSPJ is losing thousands of dollars each year because of the dinner.

The venue for the past two years has cost more than $4,000, and ticket sales have not been able to cover that amount. The chapter’s reserves have absorbed the deficits in recent years and can continue for the next decade or more, but it’s important the chapter reduce costs now in order to maintain existence much longer. Making changes is something the board has discussed for many years, but we decided last year to taking a hard look at other options available. 

Process:

At the July 1 board meeting, members voted unanimously to examine a different direction for its award dinners. In past few years, the dinners have been held at function facilities with a sit-down dinner in the suburbs. It was agreed that a new format, involving a buffet dinner either at a restaurant or at a rented space in a city would be best. Hartford and New Haven were discussed as locations to focus on, with a greater focus on sites near public transportation.

Board members were then tasked with finding possible locations and submitting them to discuss at a meeting in December. At that meeting, the board meet to review 16 recommendations in the two cities. Cost and capacity were the major issue in reducing the number of selections down to three: The Press in Hartford, City Steam in Hartford and Bar in New Haven.

A final site was picked on Jan. 12. Unfortunately, that venue later announced it would be unable to host our dinner due to its building being sold. The board then voted on a backup option: The Hawthorne, 2421 Berlin Turnpike, Berlin. 

This site offers plenty of free parking but is still near public transportation. Stay tuned for more options about this venue and details for buying your dinner ticket.