Posts by Connecticut SPJ

College contest winners announced for 2021-22

Audio Storytelling

First Place

Lunchtime Legislation: Russia/Ukraine war, Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Brendan Samson, Jack Spiegel, Jack Muscatello

Second Place

Bobcat Banter, episode 6: Interview with Kyle Maves, infielder for Bobcats baseball, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Brendan Samson, Noah Epstein, Seth Fromowitz

COVID-19 Reporting

First Place

$22 million worth of CARES Act funds awarded to CCSU students, The Recorder, Logan Zdun

Second Place

Quinnipiac to install rapid test vending machine, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Nicole McIsaac

Third Place

Quinnipiac mandates COVID-19 booster vaccine to combat omicron variant as CT cases rise, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Nicole McIsaac

Editorial/Op-ed

First Place

Suicide prevention needs a new approach, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Michael Sicoli

Feature

First Place

Connecticut’s geology rocks!, Crescent magazine, Brooke Kuryan

Second Place

‘I don’t think that I can do this anymore’: Former RA breaks the silence about mental health, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Daniel Passapera

Third Place

How the QU Spirit Teletubbies tradition continues to liven up the student section, Q30 Television, Katie Coen

Feature Photo

First Place

Fairs and finding your place, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Daniel Passapera

Second Place

Rebecca Black sings at Quinnipiac’s Fall Fest, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Daniel Passapera

Third Place

Rebecca Black performs at Quinnipiac’s Fall Fest, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Connor Lawless

General Column/Commentary

First Place

Why I stopped watching football — and why other women should, too, University of New Haven Charger Bulletin, Lindsay Giovannone

Second Place

‘An embarrassment for QU:’ Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum’s closure sparks public outcry, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Chatwan Mongkol

Third Place

Wake the Giant: How SPB held its biggest event of the year amid act cancellations and budget cuts, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Ashley Pelletier, Katie Langley

General Reporting

First Place

‘A slap in the face:’ Quinnipiac nurse anesthesia program’s closure comes with unclear plan, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Chatwan Mongkol

Second Place

Minority voices of Fairfield want to be heard, Fairfield Mirror, Peyton Perry

Third Place

Hamden apartment complex fire impacts 60 residents, including QU students, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Melina Khan

News Photo

First Place

Students and faculty protest at Fairfield’s “community in action” event photo, Fairfield Mirror, Kyler Erezuma

Second Place

Hamden apartment complex fire impacts 60 residents, including QU students, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Daniel Passapera

Non-Page 1 Layout

First Place

Former QU men’s hockey player reveals life-threatening effects of ‘intoxicating’ smashmouth culture, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Connor Lawless

Second Place

Uncovering the art of drag, Crescent magazine, Everett Rende

Third Place

Rushing into Greek Life, Crescent magazine, Everett Rende

Page 1 Layout

First Place

Connecticut’s geology rocks!, Crescent magazine, Everett Rende

Second Place

The Quinnipiac Chronicle, Volume 92, Issue 12, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Connor Lawless

Sports Feature Story

First Place

Former QU men’s hockey player reveals life-threatening effects of ‘intoxicating’ smashmouth culture, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Riley Millette

Second Place

Troy Williams cheers on son Tyrese, Quinnipiac men’s basketball team, Q30 Television, Ross Meglin, Jack Main

Third Place

A reflection on a unique fall athletics season, University of New Haven Charger Bulletin, Tyler Wells

Sports News Story

First Place

Quinnipiac women’s basketball’s season ends after lopsided 94-68 loss to Boston College, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Riley Millette

Second Place

Monmouth leaving the MAAC, Q30 Television, Jack Main

Third Place

Quinnipiac women’s hockey develops pro talent, but divide at the next level fails to let it be seen, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Cameron Levasseur

Sports Photo

First Place

KC Ndefo and St. Peter’s swats Quinnipiac men’s basketball out of the MAAC tournament, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Connor Lawless

Second Place

How the women’s soccer team’s season started piping hot and ended in a MAAC championship loss, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Daniel Passapera

Spot News

First Place

University students robbed at gunpoint outside of campus store, University of New Haven Charger Bulletin, Samuel Weinmann

Second Place

Students ‘terrified’ after a delivery man targeting college women broke into QU off-campus housing, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Chatwan Mongkol

Third Place

Quinnipiac fails to check in with victims of shuttle crash, students say, Quinnipiac Chronicle, Aidan Sheedy, Melina Khan

Video Storytelling

First Place

Fans back in the stands, Q30 Television, Jack Main

Second Place

Costs up, employees down: COVID-19 & New Britain restaurants, Central Connecticut State University, Melody Rivera

Third Place

Hartford Hospital invites Quinnipiac students to learn about the university partnership, Q30 Television, Olivia Kettell

CTSPJ announces five scholarship winners for 2022

The Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists hosted a summer gathering on June 25 at the Ansonia Nature Center in Ansonia, Connecticut, where this year’s contest winners and scholarship recipients were honored.

Five scholarships were issued this year.

Our first scholarship recipient is Madison Langweil, a senior at Marist College who studies biology and journalism and is from West Hartford. Currently a science news intern for the Stanford University News Service, Maddi aspires to be a science journalist.

Our second recipient is Jacklyn Pellegrino, from Staten Island, New York, who is going into her second year as a journalism major in the 3+1 accelerated bachelor’s/master’s dual degree program at Quinnipiac University. She’s a copy editor at The Quinnipiac Chronicle, where she edits articles, attends weekly deadline meetings and helps with the production of the weekly newsletter. She also reports and writes her own news stories based on campus updates and university events.

Our third recipient is Anya Grondalski, a double major in journalism and political science. She will be entering her final year of the communications 3+1 program at Quinnipiac University in the fall. She recently returned from a semester studying in Washington, D.C., where she worked in the Office of Public Affairs of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She’ll spend her summer interning with Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network in radio production.

At Quinnipiac, she is the podcast producer for The Quinnipiac Chronicle, as well as a video host and assistant producer with Quinnipiac Productions. She is also a member of the Honors Program, and serves on the executive board for QU Democrats and Students for Environmental Action.

Robyn Karashik is a Ridgefield native who recently graduated magna cum laude from Quinnipiac University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She’ll be going back this fall to get her master’s degree in journalism as part of the 4+1 program.

Robyn works as a field coordinator with the Ridgefield Democratic Town Committee and hopes to become a multimedia journalist once her education is complete.

And we have a special scholarship this year in honor of the late Genevieve Reilly, a former longtime reporter for the Fairfield Citizen and Connecticut Post, and her father, John Reilly. 

The Reilly scholarship has been awarded to Michael Sicoli, a journalism major who graduated from Quinnipiac University this past spring in his third year. He was The Quinnipiac Chronicle’s editor-in-chief during the 2021-22 academic year. He also was a member of the Dean’s List for each of his six semesters at college. Next summer he and 14 other students will attend a Quinnipiac-run program to cover the women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand, another step toward his goal of covering professional sports — preferably the NFL.

Good Morning Wilton, Hearst CT honored at CTSPJ awards gathering

Reporter Clare Dignan holds her awards plaque and speaks to attendees.
Clare Dignan

The Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists hosted a summer gathering on June 25 at the Ansonia Nature Center in Ansonia, Connecticut, where this year’s contest winners and scholarship recipients were honored.

The First Amendment Award for Journalism Excellence was established by Connecticut SPJ to recognize the achievement of journalists who promote open government and the pursuit of freedom of the press and other First Amendment rights.

This year’s winner is: “A free press, a fair election,” by Heather Borden Herve from Good Morning Wilton.

Judges said this about the entry: 

“A thorough dive into local candidates that utilizes First Amendment rights to shine a light on true positions and motivations of candidates. Revealing election coverage is critical to democracy and by going beyond the surface, by examining public documents and communications, this publication was able to provide the community important information. “

Heather was unable to attend but sent the following statement:

I’m sorry I couldn’t be there in person, and congratulations to everyone whose work was recognized today. Thank you for setting an example and keeping the bar high for all of us.

GOOD Morning Wilton is an independent, hyperlocal daily news website covering Wilton, CT, a small, suburban town with 18,000 residents. In 2013 the year I started GMW, Wilton had two weekly print newspapers, one bi-monthly magazine, and four daily news websites running news about Wilton. Now, like so many markets where corporate media ownership has impacted local journalism, only one weekly newspaper remains in addition to GMW, and even that paper has pared down coverage so much that it reports local election returns 4-5 days late.

The little guys like GMW matter all the more. Take, for instance, when an elected official publicly attacked us by name for asking questions, filing FOIAs and doing our work. When she threatened that she hoped the issue of “no unbiased media in town… would be resolved in the immediate future” — we knew how critical it is to keep working as we always have.

The small-town, hyperlocal experience doesn’t mean a First Amendment issue may not arise. It’s glaringly critical now, especially as we’ve seen media choices in our town winnowed away, how important and impactful our coverage is.

Voters told us over and over how they used our reporting to make their choices. Voters in each party told us they trusted our journalism. …We believe GMW’s reporting played a critical role in the election.

Thank you for recognizing that and validating why a free press is so vital.

The Stephen A. Collins Public Service Award is a special award for stories having a significant impact in the public interest. Entries must include supporting documentation such as letters, editorials, evidence of a change in public policy showing how the entry had an impact.

The award is named for Stephen A. Collins, a former editor of the Danbury News-Times, known throughout the state for his pioneering work on the state Freedom of Information Act. He was a long-time SPJ FOI chairman, and a member of the Connecticut Journalism Hall of Fame. 

This year’s winner is: “Lost to Abuse,” by Clare Dignan and Verónica Del Valle, from Hearst CT Media

Judges had this to say about the entry: 

“This series is both overpowering and heartbreaking. ….The reporters and editors balanced emotional, personal stories with reams of data. These are sad but important stories to tell and memorialize.”

Clare Dignan was on hand to accept the award, and spoke about working on a difficult project involving a touchy topic like domestic violence. She mentioned how a person from a domestic violence support center recently let her know that someone had reached out to them for help because of what they had read in the local newspaper. “If we could help just one person, it was worth it,” Dignan said. “But I’d like to think we helped many more.”

The Theodore A. Driscoll Investigative Award is given for a single story or formal series containing information, obtained through reporter initiative, not readily available to the news media or public.

Theodore A. Driscoll was a Hartford Courant investigative reporter who helped found IRE, the Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc. in 1975. He is a member of the Connecticut Journalism Hall of Fame. 

This year’s winner is: “Policing the Police,” by Bill Cummings, from Hearst CT Media

Judges had this to say about the entry: 

“Thanks to the diligent investigating of Bill Cummings and Hearst CT Media, the public can now take a closer look at proceedings that by design were kept behind closed doors. Over nine months and through dozens of FOIA requests resulting in hard-fought battles over information not readily available to the public, dedicated journalists told a story of light reprimands, repeat offenses, and vanishing complaints, both broadly across the state and specifically in shocking cases of misconduct. Now the public can see the failings in a system that they fund, one that is meant to protect them. They can also see the areas that are still deliberately hidden by a lack of transparency on the part of many Connecticut police departments. This is fine investigative work that will surely result in positive change.”

Hearst CT Editor John Ferraro wears sunglasses and holds an awards plaque and speaks to attendees
John Ferraro

Bill was unable to attend the event, but editor John Ferraro briefed attendees on what went into covering such a big story. “It is time consuming, and it is expensive,” Ferraro said. “But we had the support and we are lucky we were able to do this project.”

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

Connecticut SPJ 2021 Excellence in Journalism Contest now accepting entries

The 2021 Excellence in Journalism contest is open for entries. The deadline is Friday, Feb. 11 Tuesday, Feb. 15! You can enter the contest here. The contest is open for items published or broadcast in 2021. We are keeping four COVID categories for content related to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Entry fees are $10 for members (with valid SPJ member number) and $25 for non-members or entries paid for by a news organization. Please contact log into your membership account on the national SPJ website if you do not know your membership number. 

For questions about the Connecticut contest, please contact contest clerk Kathleen Farmer at kathleenctspj@gmail.com.

Categories

All media outlets compete against each other in the top three special awards categories. For the rest of the categories (below), media outlets will compete in one of five circulation classes.

Stephen A. Collins Public Service Award

This is a special award open to all media for a story or stories having a significant impact in the public interest. Entries must include supporting documentation such as letters, editorials, evidence of a change in public policy, showing how the entry had an impact. Please include a cover letter with the entry.

Theodore Driscoll Award for Investigative Reporting

This is a special award open to all media for a single story or formal series containing information, obtained through reporter initiative not readily available to the news media or public.

First Amendment Award

This is a special award open to all media for a single story, column or series which increases public understanding of the role of the press in a free society.

MAIN CONTEST CATEGORIES

COVID News | A single story that highlights the impact the pandemic has had on our lives and our society.

COVID Investigative | A single story containing pandemic-related information obtained through reporter initiative that was not readily available to the public.

COVID Series | Three to 10 stories in a formal series that highlight the impact of the pandemic on our lives and society.

COVID Photo | A single photo that highlights the impact of the pandemic on our current socially distance status. 

Editorial Cartoon | A single cartoon online or in print

Single Editorial | Represents the opinion of the publication, station or news website as an organization

General Column | A single (other than sports or humorous) that expresses an opinion or point of view on an issues or event

Humorous Column | A single column on any topic with the purpose to entertain

In-Depth | A single story that helps audience understand situation beyond information provided in a normal news story

Investigative | A single story containing information obtained through reporter initiative that was not readily available to the news media or the public

Feature | Any story written for a reason other than timeliness. (Please note, this was omitted from an earlier list in error)

Religion | A story dealing with religious topics

Government | A story dealing with government topics

Courts/Crime | Any story dealing with issues of the criminal justice system, except for breaking news

Arts & Entertainment | A single story dealing with the arts

Business | A single story dealing with business

Leisure | A story dealing with travel, food, gardening, or other leisure topics

Continuing Coverage | No more than 10 articles that follow the same topic over time

Diversity Coverage | Single story on a diversity issue

Education | A single story on an education issue

Reporting Series | A formal series of no more than 10 articles, including investigative, in-depth or feature series

Local Reporting | A story that shines light on an issue important to a single town or region. This category is meant for those stories that fulfill the mission of community journalism.

Breaking News | A single story or package of stories and social media updates that involves coverage of a spot news event written under an immediate deadline.

Sports News | A single story on a sports news topic

Sports Feature | A single story on a sports topic, written for a factor other than timeliness

Sports Column | A single column on a sports topic

Sports Photo | A single sports photo

Feature Photo | A single feature photo

News Photo | A single news photo

Photo Essay | A collection of photos, either in print or online, that together tell one story.

Page 1 Layout | A category for the person who arranged the text and images, not for the writers or photographers of the materials on the page.

Non-Page 1 Layout | Any single page design that was not on page 1

Headline | A single entry is made up of three headlines, all the work on a single individual

Infographic Design | The design of a single static or interactive graphic

Infographic Reporting | The reporting of a single static or interactive graphic

Video Storytelling | Use of video to tell a story alone or bolster written reporting

Audio Storytelling | Use of audio to tell a story alone or bolster written reporting

Data | Effective use of data for reporting a single story or graphic

Health | A single story or broadcast regarding health issues, either local or statewide

CIRCULATION CATEGORIES FOR THE 2020 CONTEST

The following is the list of circulation categories for the Excellence in Journalism contest. If you don’t see your media outlet listed here, please contact contest clerk Kathleen Farmer at kathleenctspj@gmail.com, and we will add it.

These categories are based, in part, on media outlets’ advertised coverage areas and staffing levels. To petition for a change in circulation class, please contact CTSPJ President Viktoria Sundqvist at vickansundqvist(at)gmail.com. The CTSPJ Board of Directors will consider all requests, and any approved changes will take effect in the next year’s contest season.

Regional A

  • Connecticut Health Investigative Team
  • Connecticut Mirror
  • Connecticut Post
  • Hartford Courant
  • New Haven Register
  • Waterbury Republican American
  • The Day (New London)
  • Any Hearst Connecticut collaboration, including smaller circulation outlets

Regional B

  • Connecticut Law Tribune
  • CT News Junkie
  • Danbury News-Times
  • Manchester Journal-Inquirer
  • Meriden Record Journal
  • Norwich Bulletin
  • Stamford Advocate
  • Greenwich Time
  • CT Latino News
  • Greater New Milford Spectrum
  • Litchfield County Times
  • The Middletown Press
  • New Britain Herald
  • The Bristol Press
  • The Register Citizen
  • The Chronicle
  • The Hour
  • Fairfield County Business Journal
  • Hartford Business Journal
  • The Connecticut Times
  • Inquiring News
  • Neighbors Paper

Regional C (Magazines)

  • AAA Journeys and AAA Horizons
  • Catholic Transcript
  • Connecticut Magazine
  • Connecticut Parent Magazine
  • Connecticut Voice
  • Hartford Magazine
  • New Haven Biz
  • Seasons magazines
  • Stamford Magazine
  • Today Magazine
  • WAG Magazine
  • Wilton Magazine

Regional D (Broadcast)

  • WTNH
  • WFSB
  • WTIC
  • WNPR
  • WSHU
  • News12
  • NBC30

Hyperlocal

  • Citizens News
  • CollinsvillePress.com
  • Shore Publishing weeklies
  • TurleyCT publications
  • New Britain City Journal
  • NewCanaanite.com
  • Online Journalism Project publications
  • Hearst Connecticut weeklies
  • Branford Eagle
  • Glastonbury Citizen/Rivereast News Bulletin
  • Nancy on Norwalk
  • Greenwich Sentinel
  • Fairfield Patch
  • New Haven Independent
  • WestportNow.com
  • Town Times
  • Glastonbury Life
  • Guilford Curier
  • The Source
  • Harbor News

* Note: Any item that appeared in a higher circulation publication should be entered in that circulation class.

CTSPJ inducts Jon Lender to Connecticut Journalism Hall of Fame

Jon Lender worked 48 years at the Hartford Courant. He started as a young correspondent just out of UCONN at the old Willimantic Bureau. He was full time a year later covering Bristol, Southington and Middletown. He moved to the main office in Hartford in 1981 and was assigned to reporting on government agencies and politicians with an emphasis on investigations.

Lender covered the administration of Gov. John Rowland for 8 years. Then he came upon information the governor had taken valuable favors from state contractors. With fellow reporters, Dave Altimari and Edmund H. Mahony, he spent months investigating. The result of those stories led to a 2004 impeachment inquiry of the governor in the legislature. Rowland resigned and was convicted on corruption charges and served time in federal prison.

The governor was not the only politician whose behavior was revealed by Lender’s diligence. From 2008 to 2021 he wrote the “Government Watch” column for the Courant. Some in public life who came under his scrutiny began to use his name as a verb. It was said they had been “Lendered.”

He believes deeply in Freedom of Information. He said:

“The FOI Act was always as basic and useful a tool as a hammer or saw. Submitting a written FOI request not only had legal force — making an official produce documents or be accused of violating the law — but it also showed simply that you meant business and would insist on getting answers.”

Why did he choose journalism? His father, as he grew up in New Jersey, brought home two newspapers a day and he started reading the sports pages every day before he was a teenager. He admired New York columnists like Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill. That first reporting job covering small CT towns paid 25-cents an inch. He says he figured he’d report until he thought of something better to do. It is the reader’s fortune he never did.

His former editor, Rick Green, says, “Jon is a methodical and persistent journalist who over a long career never lost sight of his mission to shine a light in dark places. He represents a diminishing and proud newspaper tradition of columnists who investigate and let their reporting tell the story.”

A young reporter said, Russel Blair said,

“Beyond his investigative reporting, Jon served as a key mentor to scores of young journalists during his four-plus decades at The Courant. Whether speaking to a college class or a group of Courant interns, Jon patiently gave important, practical real world advice on how to approach difficult interviews and other challenges on the job, life lessons that in many cases transcended journalism.”

He won many journalism awards. One judge wrote: “ …Lender
is from the old ‘I Smell a Rat’ school of investigative journalism. Reading one of his columns is like reading a thoroughly involving short story. The narrative is one of corruption’…”

Lender has had a remarkable career giving life to the journalistic idea of public service. His career clearly meets the standard of a “significant and enduring” contribution to Connecticut Journalism Hall of Fame.

Hartford Courant, Hearst, New Haven Independent honored at SPJ awards ceremony

The Connecticut SPJ hosted an in-person awards ceremony on July 17 at the Ansonia Nature Center and honored winners of the 2020 Excellence in Journalism contest. 

First Amendment Award

FOI commission: Schools can’t use students as shield; New Haven Independent; Christopher Peak

Stephen A. Collins Public Service Award

From deaths to lost jobs to health care, the coronavirus has changed our way of life in Connecticut; Hartford Courant; Hartford  Courant staff

Theodore Driscoll Award for Investigative Reporting

Death by gun; Connecticut Post/Hearst Connecticut; Bill Cummings, Ed Stannard, Ethan Fry, Tara O’Neill, Brian Lockhart, Clare Dignan, Ben Lambert, Mark Zaretsky

Click here to see full list of winners. 

College contest winners announced for the 2020-21 academic year

The Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists’ student contest highlighted the best work published or broadcast during the 2020-21 academic year. Students from four different colleges or universities in Connecticut participated in this year’s contest. Certificates for the winners will be mailed out to the address provided in the contest entry. Scroll below to see the winners, and congratulations to all! 

Audio Storytelling

First Place

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

COVID-19 Reporting

First Place

Frontline Owls; Crescent magazine; Jason Edwards

Second Place

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

Third Place

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

Editorial/Op-ed

First Place

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

Second Place

Content creators; Crescent magazine; Jessica Guerrucci

Third Place

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

Feature

First Place

LGBTQ @ QU; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Emily DiSalvo

Second Place

Hero among us; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Chatwan Mongkol

Third Place

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

Feature Photo

First Place

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

Second Place

QU nutrition; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Morgan Tencza

General Column/Commentary

First Place

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

Second Place

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

General Reporting

First Place

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

Second Place

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

News Photo

First Place

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

Second Place

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

Non-Page 1 Layout

First Place

Yellow sun at high noon; Crescent magazine; Muhaymina Plair

Second Place

A stitch at a time; Crescent magazine; Muhaymina Plair

Third Place

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

Sports Feature Story

First Place

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

Second Place

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

Third Place

Women in sports media; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Toyloy Brown III

Sports News Story

First Place

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

Second Place

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

Third Place

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

Sports Photo

First Place

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

Second Place

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

Third Place

Kevin Marfo dunk; Quinnipiac Chronicle; Morgan Tencza

Video Storytelling

First Place

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

Second Place

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

Third Place

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

CTSPJ honors its 2021 scholarship winners

The Connecticut SPJ honored five scholarship winners for 2021 at an outdoor ceremony on July 17 at Ansonia Nature Center. Scholarship winners must be enrolled at an accredited university in Connecticut or be a Connecticut resident enrolled in an accredited university in any state or country studying journalism.

Here are this year’s scholarship recipients:

Alison Cross is a rising senior who writes for UConn’s Daily Campus and is working this summer as a C-HIT intern covering young people’s health concerns. She aspires to become an investigative journalist at a major print publication.

Samantha Simon is a rising senior at Quinnipiac who prides herself on having grown up in Queens, N.Y. After graduation, she hopes to work for a non-profit news organization that focuses on social justice before someday making her way to the New York Times. In her free time she likes crafting and spending absurd amounts of money on plants.

Melody Rivera is a senior at CCSU who has written for The Recorder for three years and has been president of the Autism Connection Club for two. She has been passionate about writing since eighth grade, when she wrote for her middle school’s newspaper.

Matthew White is a junior at Keene State College who’s involved with the Equinox student newspaper and the WKNH student-run radio station. He participates in student government, enjoys photography and also plays instruments including the guitar and drums.

Eric Kerr is a 3+1 student at Quinnipiac who recently completed his undergraduate coursework and will continue on to the school’s sports journalism graduate program in the fall. He has covered sports and news for Q30 Television and worked as a broadcast manager for QBSN.

Kerr is the recipient of the Jack Kramer scholarship, a special scholarship given this year in honor of the late Jack Kramer, a long-time editor at the New Haven Register.

Copyright 2010-2017. Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists, P.O. Box 5071, Woodbridge CT 06525