Celebrate and catch up at the CT SPJ Hall of Fame and awards dinner – Dec. 4

At Connecticut SPJ, we are excited for the coming year but we acknowledge that a new administration may pose some difficulties for journalists.

That’s why we’re inviting all journalists in the state to come, mingle and break bread with colleagues and peers at our dinner on Wednesday, December 4th at 6 p.m.

Casa Mia at the Hawthorne
2421 Berlin Turnpike
Berlin, CT 06037

Buy your tickets here – the cost is $30 for SPJ members and $35 for non-members.

Individual members who are buying tickets for yourself, please email spjconnecticut@gmail.com for the members-only discount code.

You can likely request reimbursement from your employer, if you have one. Most CT news orgs have offered reimbursement in the past.

Let’s not just celebrate the accomplishments of our Hall of Fame Inductees and award winners but let’s also connect with each other and share experiences and thoughts on 2025 and beyond.

Solidarity is always important but it may become essential to continuing to do the work that benefits our communities and holds power to account.

If you can’t come to the dinner, consider purchasing a ticket for a student.

Hope to see you on December 4th!

2024 Hall of Fame Inductees

Owen Canfield (1934-2019)

Seven-time Connecticut Sportswriter of the Year
Sports Columnist, The Hartford Courant
Columnist, The Register Citizen

Jacqueline Smith

Ombudsman, Stars and Stripes
Former columnist and editorial page editor with Hearst Connecticut Media Group

James H. Smith

Former reporter, city editor and sports editor at The Hartford Courant
Former editor of The Connecticut Post
Former president of the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information

We will also be honoring these contest winners:

STEPHEN A. COLLINS PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

Jenna Carlesso and Dave Altimari
Connecticut Mirror

THEODORE DRISCOLL AWARD FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

Dave Altimari, Jenna Carlesso and Katy Golvala
Connecticut Mirror

FIRST AMENDMENT AWARD

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Joshua Eaton and Brian Lockhart
Hearst Connecticut Media

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.

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

Excellence in Journalism 2020 contest winners announced

Today would have been the day for us to gather in person for a formal awards dinner to announce the winners of the 2020 Excellence in Journalism contest, under normal circumstances. However, due to the pandemic, we have chosen to announce the winners here on our website instead.

An outdoor event to celebrate the winners is planned for Saturday, July 17, from noon-4 p.m. at the Ansonia Nature Center pavilion, 10 Deerfield Lane, Ansonia. Plaques for the special awards will be given out at the event, and certificates for the general awards will be available for pickup or will be mailed out after the event to those who cannot attend. The event is free, but we will accept donations to our Bob Eddy Scholarship Fund (suggested donation is $10 per person). More details and a link to register for that event to come in the following weeks. For now, congratulations to all the winners! The full list can be found below or downloaded in Word format here SPJ WinnersList5.24.21

All Media Special Awards

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; Bill Cummings, Ed Stannard, Ethan Fry, Tara O’Neill, Brian Lockhart, Clare Dignan, Ben Lambert, Mark Zaretsky

***

GENERAL CONTEST:

Arts & Entertainment

Hyperlocal

First Place

What can happen when you disregard normal; The Sound; Pem McNerney

Regional A

First Place

A Connecticut rock band may have figured out how to ‘tour’ — and make money — during the pandemic; Hartford Courant; Michael Hamad

Second Place

Recent experiences have inspired North Stonington artist Alfredo Carlson in new ways; The Day; Rick Koster

Third Place

Up through the atmosphere: Stonington High School Drama sends students flying in ‘Mary Poppins’; The Day; Kristina Dorsey

Regional B

First Place

Connecticut’s 1st state troubadour; Middletown Press; Cassandra Day

Second Place

Norwalk band Goose virtually ‘gigs’; The Hour; Andrew DeRosa

Third Place

Hill-Stead porch; Journal Inquirer; Tim Leininger

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

At 50, Hartford’s Cinestudio keeps projecting into the future; Connecticut Magazine; Randall Beach

Second Place

Songwriter for the heart: Michael Kelly Blanchard reflects on musical journey; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Third Place

A new chapter, Cheshire author, radioanchor publishes first mystery book; Seasons Magazine; Cindy Simoneau

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

The impossible dream: Terrence Bogan living out loud; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Gregg Monte

Audio Storytelling

Regional A

First Place

Coping with pandemic, 3 part series; Connecticut Health I-Team; Colleen Shaddox

Second Place

Capitol Watch Podcast; Hartford Courant; Michael Hamad

Third Place

StoryLine Podcast; The Day; Carlos Virgen, Rick Koster, Sten Spinella

Breaking News

Hyperlocal

First Place

5,000 march for racial justice; New Haven Independent; Thomas Breen, Maya McFadden, Courtney Luciana, Sam Gurwitt

Regional A

First Place

Steve Bannon arrested; Hartford Courant; Edmund H. Mahony

Second Place

Abuse at American School for the Deaf; Hartford Courant; Zach Murdock

Third Place

Nora Dannehy resigns; Hartford Courant; Edmund H. Mahony

Regional B

First Place

Fotis Dulos clings to life; The Hour; Pat Tomlinson, Lisa Backus

Second Place

Police: Teen thought killings would make his life better; Journal Inquirer; Alex Wood

Third Place

Remembering Eli; Journal Inquirer; Joe Chaisson

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Opposing protestors clash during New Haven Christopher Columbus statue removal; NBC 30; Caitlin Burchill, Maura Murphy

Second Place

Tracking Isaias; WFSB; Elliott Polakoff

Business

Hyperlocal

First Place

Barbering brothers hang up the shears after 60 years in Trumbull; Trumbull Times; Donald Eng

Regional A

First Place

Ideanomics; Hartford Courant; Emily Brindley

Second Place

Eversource was on a victory lap. Then came Isaias; Connecticut Mirror; Mark Pazniokas

Third Place

‘There’s pain everywhere.’ Hospitals stand to lose $1.5 billion amid COVID-19 crisis; Connecticut Mirror; Jenna Carlesso

Regional B

First Place

Analyst: Pratt HQ may stay; Journal Inquirer; Zachary F. Vasile

Second Place

CT largest companies want to diversify ranks; Stamford Advocate; Paul Schott

Third Place

Restaurants in Little Poland struggling to survive amid coronavirus restrictions; New Britain Herald; Catherine Shen

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

As baby boomer retirement wave nears, family biz weigh pros, cons of outside leadership; New Haven Biz; Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

Second Place

Frontier justice? In wake of April bankruptcy, telecom hopes new CEO and new direction will reverse; New Haven Biz; Natalie Missakian

Third Place

New life for poisoned properties?; New Haven Biz; Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Eversource rates breakdown; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, David Mulligan, Jonathan Wardle

Continuing Coverage

Hyperlocal

First Place

History corner; Easton Courier; Bruce Nelson, Elizabeth Boyce

Regional A

First Place

Shootings in Hartford; Hartford Courant; Zach Murdock, Rebecca Lurye, Jesse Leavenworth

Second Place

Bridgeport chief probe/arrest; Connecticut Post; Tara O’Neill, Dan Tepfer, Brian Lockhart

Third Place

Connecticut’s declining prison population; Connecticut Post; Kaitlyn Krasselt

Regional B

First Place

Police officer disciplined; Journal Inquirer; Olivia Regen

 Second Place

Police shoot, kill Jose Soto; Journal Inquirer; Skyler Frazer, Olivia Regen, Erika M. Prudy, Alex Wood, Abigail Brone

Third Place

Racial justice in New Britain; New Britain Herald; Catherine Shen

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

11-year-old girl abducted by stranger found safe after Amber Alert; NBC 30; Caitlin Burchill

Second Place

Beyond the Collision Course…; WNPR; Frankie Graziano

Third Place

Covid in CT prisons; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Katherine Loy, Patrick Arnold, Olivia Schueller, Sarah Willson

Courts/Crime

Hyperlocal

First Place

Federal gun strategy goes on trial; New Haven Independent; Christopher Peak

Second Place

Best friends murdered, 5 years apart; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Third Place

‘Don’t talk to the police’: Details from fill pile affidavits; Fairfield Patch; Anna Bybee-Schier

Regional A

First Place

Tony Todt confessed to killing his family; Hartford Courant; Emily Brindley

Second Place

Justice off the rails; Waterbury Republican-American; Brigitte Ruthman

Third Place

Dulos, money bail and an ongoing conversation about bond reform; Connecticut Mirror; Kelan Lyons

Regional B

First Place

Newtown’s woodchipper killer to walk free; News-Times; Rob Ryser

Second Place

Stamford jewelry store case; Stamford Advocate; John Nickerson

Third Place

COVID, addiction, and crime; Journal Inquirer; Alex Wood

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

The great Connecticut pharma heist; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang

Second Place

Attorney Norm Pattis: Defender of the despised; Connecticut Magazine; Christopher Hoffman

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Cold case arrest; NBC 30; Nicholas Doscher, Jamie Ratliff

COVID-Investigative

Hyperlocal

First Place

City COVID rent fund so far pays out … $0; New Haven Independent; Thomas Breen

Second Place

Debt collector dogs “free” COVID testee; New Haven Independent; Thomas Breen

Regional A

First Place

Coronavirus stresses nursing home infection-control practices; Connecticut Health I-Team; Cara Rosner, Susan Jaffe

Second Place

Six months into pandemic, just two families have received aid from state’s rental assistance program; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Regional B

First Place

Evergreen cited for low staffing; Journal Inquirer; Anthony Branciforte

Second Place

‘We have no safety net’; The Hour; Justin Papp

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Genesys; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle

Second Place

Companies cut staff even after getting PPP; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle

COVID-News

Hyperlocal

First Place

Coronavirus takes 3 lives from same CT family in 5 days; Patch.com; Ellyn Santiago

Second Place

‘Wartime nursing’; Darien Times; Susan Shultz

Third Place

After ICU shift, coming home to family; New Haven Independent; Emily Hays

Regional A

First Place

The night COVID-19 silenced the slots at Foxwoods; Connecticut Mirror; Mark Pazniokas

Second Place

An eviction tsunami is on the horizon, and with it comes more COVID cases; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Third Place

Connecticut eclipses 5,000 coronavirus deaths,with many families unable to say goodbye to loved ones; Hartford Courant; Daniela Altimari, Eliza Fawcett

Regional B

First Place

Wallingford health officials investigated 75 COVID-19 complaints since March; Record-Journal; Lauren Takores

Second Place

He thought COVID was ‘baloney’; The Hour; Abigail Brone

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Opportunity vs. disaster: How COVID-19 strengthened one company, destroyed another; New Haven Biz; Michael Bingham

Second Place

Student’s-eye view of school during COVID; Today Magazine; Noelle Blake

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

A Connecticut COVID Milestone- looking back at a two month shutdown; NBC 30; Siobhan McGirl

Second Place

Coronavirus in Connecticut: Story of our lifetime; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Ron DeLucia

Third Place

“We’re angry, we’re sad, we’re patient”: Pandemic forcing families apart; NBC 30; Heidi Voight

COVID-Photo

Regional A

First Place

Parking lot ballet; The Day; Dana Jensen

Second Place

FoodShare at Rentschler; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko

Third Place

Visiting through the glass; Connecticut Mirror; Cloe Poisson

Regional B

First Place

Front line worker; Greenwich Time; Tyler Sizemore

Second Place

Memorable sendoff; News-Times; John Voorhees

Third Place

Car COVID test; News-Times; John Voorhees

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Love in the time of COVID; Seasons Magazine; Todd Fairchild

COVID-Series

Regional A

First Place

The road ahead; Connecticut Post; Hearst Connecticut staff

Second Place

Confronting the coronavirus; The Day; Erica Moser, Taylor Hartz, Brian Hallenbeck, Julia Bergman

Third Place

Food access during Covid-19; Connecticut Mirror; Jan Ellen Spiegel

Regional B

First Place

Meeting students’ needs in-person and remotely in Meriden; Record-Journal; Michael Gagne

Second Place

How coronavirus has impacted life in New Britain area; New Britain Herald; Catherine Shen

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

COVID series; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang, Mike Wollschlager, Theresa Sullivan Barger

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

First Wave: Three Months Of Coronavirus In Connecticut; WNPR; Tucker Ives, Harriet Jones, Connecticut Public News Team

Second Place

What’s on your mind?: Your thoughts during COVID-19; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz, Ron DeLucia

Data

Regional A

First Place

At one time, Connecticut was true GOP; Waterbury Republican-American; Ed Daigneault, Paul Hughes, Lee Lewis

Second Place

Data shows prison coronavirus reduction plan not what it appears; Connecticut Post; Kaitlyn Krasselt

Third Place

His hospital is about 80% full. But he’s not alarmed — yet.; Connecticut Mirror; Kasturi Pananjady

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

How much CT school districts spent to reopen amid COVID-19; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran. Garett Allison

Second Place

Climate change & superfund sites; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Katherine Loy, Thea DiGiammerino

Third Place

Passenger levels plummet 95% at Bradley Airport amid COVID-19 pandemic; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Ron DeLucia

Diversity Coverage

Hyperlocal

First Place

Public outcry follows Stratford cop’s Facebook post targeting BLM; Fairfield Patch; Anna Bybee-Schier

Second Place

Youth-led BLM rally brings Madison into national conversation; The Source; Jesse Williams

Third Place

Fairfield, racism and the woman behind the signs at old Town Hall; Fairfield Patch; Anna Bybee-Schier

Regional A

First Place

What is it like to be transgender?; Hartford Courant; Susan Dunne

Second Place

Achievement gaps for English learners linger, troubling CT’s first Hispanic education chief; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Third Place

Black women react to the exoneration of the police officers who killed Breonna Taylor; Hartford Courant; Susan Dunne

Regional B

First Place

‘Why do they hate us so much?; Greenwich Time; Tatiana Flowers

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Speaking their truths; Connecticut Voice; Jane Latus

Second Place

George Floyd: Valley reaction + next steps; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Third Place

Swipe rights & wrongs; Connecticut Voice; Dawn Ennis

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

What’s on your mind?: Protests, police reforms in Connecticut; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz, Ron DeLucia

Second Place

Hidden history: America’s atomic veterans; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Gregg Monte

Third Place

What’s on your mind?: Anger, demands for change after death of George Floyd; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz

Editorial

Regional A

First Place

Don’t be a jerk; The Day; Paul Choiniere

Second Place

The fight to restore an insulting nickname; The Day; Lisa McGinley

Third Place

COVID toll in nursing homes a scandal; The Day; Paul Choiniere

Regional B

First Place

State Rep. Fishbein’s racist retweet; Record-Journal; Jeffery Kurz

Second Place

Fire Trump, hire Biden; Record-Journal; Glenn Richter

 

Editorial Cartoon

Hyperlocal

First Place

Ted’s take; New Haven Independent; Ted Littleford

Regional B

First Place

CIAC football; Record-Journal; Kevin Markowski

Second Place

Preparing for mass vaccine distribution; Record-Journal; Justin Piccirillo

Third Place

Lead fishing; Record-Journal; Kevin Markowski

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

When tricks were treats; Seasons Magazine; Sean Wang

Education

Hyperlocal

First Place

Remote students double as “3rd parents”; New Haven Independent; Emily Hays

Second Place

Video: Barlow Class of 2020 graduates in historic car procession; Easton Courier; Tomas Koeck, Richard Falco

Third Place

Slave play prompts parent outrage; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Regional A

First Place

Two districts, two very different plans for students while school is out indefinitely; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Second Place

Police in schools; Connecticut Post; Clare Dignan

Third Place

Graduating college seniors are heading into ‘the most challenging economic environment’ ever; Hartford Courant; Amanda Blanco

Regional B

First Place

Coronavirus provides brief respite; Greenwich Time; Jo Kroeker

Second Place

Norwalk summer school COVID-19 case; The Hour; Erin Kayata

Third Place

‘I made a poor judgment call’; News-Times; Julia Perkins

 

 

 

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Opening doors and minds: Hartford nonprofit inspires girls to pursue careers in tech; Hartford Magazine; David Holahan

Second Place

Lessons for life; Seasons Magazine; Cara McDonough

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Education federal aid; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Erica Jorgensen, Thea DiGiammerino

Second Place

PPP for private schools; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Katherine Loy, Thea DiGiammerino, Patrick Arnold

Third Place

The stresses and successes of distance learning in Connecticut; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz

Feature Photo

Hyperlocal

First Place

Air hugs; Harbor News; Kelley Fryer

Regional A

First Place

Easter hope; Hartford Courant; Mark Mirko

Second Place

Columbus statue Hartford; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan

Third Place

A magical merry-go-round, hot yoga and, oh yeah, that much-needed haircut; Connecticut Mirror; Yehyun Kim

Regional B

First Place

Worker protest; The Hour; Erik Trautmann

Second Place

Winter’s first snow storm; Record-Journal; Aaron Flaum

Third Place

Cooling off; News-Times; John Voorhees

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

New mayor rolls into town; Seasons Magazine; Stan Godlewski

Second Place

Graffiti artist; Seasons Magazine; Stan Godlewski

Third Place

Humming clearly; Today Magazine; Wendy Rosenberg

 

Feature Story

Hyperlocal

First Place

ShopRite workers shop…at food pantry; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Second Place

Crime scene team draws viewers, critics; New Haven Independent; Ko Lyn Cheang

Third Place

Big time journalist in a small town; East Haddam News; David Holahan

Regional A

First Place

Fassett’s Farm turns page; Waterbury Republican-American; Tracey O’Shaughnessy

Second Place

An insider hones crisis skills at the governor’s right hand; Connecticut Post; Kaitlyn Krasselt

Third Place

Rumrunners and bootleggers; The Day; John Ruddy

Regional B

First Place

‘I love you guys’; The Hour; Pat Tomlinson

Second Place

Army buddies; Greenwich Time; Rob Marchant

Third Place

New Britain mailman retiring after 35 years; New Britain Herald; David Glovach

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Powder Ridge Rock Festival: The greatest show that never was; Connecticut Magazine; Mike Wollschlager

Second Place

The CIA wanted the best and the brightest. They found them at Yale.; Connecticut Magazine; Erik Ofgang

Third Place

Strange brews: Connecticut’s creative craft brewers think outside the bock; New Haven Biz; Jean Falbo-Sosnovich

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Hidden history: America’s atomic veterans; NBC 30; Heidi Voight, Gregg Monte

General Column

Hyperlocal

First Place

So now we march; The Source; Dylan Richmond, Ethan Richmond

Second Place

Burial in the age of COVID-19; New Haven Independent; Paul Bass

Third Place

Is this what disaster looks like?; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Regional A

First Place

Labor nurse adds unnecessary pain; Connecticut Post; Stacy Graham-Hunt

Second Place

Turmoil rages at new Dalio education partnership; Hartford Courant; Jon Lender

Third Place

New Haven’s ‘Shakespeare Lady’; New Haven Register; Randall Beach

Regional B

First Place

The pandemic’s acceptable statistics; Norwich Bulletin; Chandra Bozelko

Second Place

The great stupiding of the United States; Greenwich Time; David Rafferty

Third Place

American newspapers deserve a fighting chance; Norwich Bulletin; Chandra Bozelko

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Why being ‘not racist’ is not enough; Today Magazine; Noelle Blake

Second Place

The heroes we need right now; Connecticut Magazine; Albie Yuravich

Government

Hyperlocal

First Place

Pensioners drank too much COLA; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Second Place

Meeting election day challenges; The Source; Pem McNerney

Third Place

Voters sent different voters’ ballots; New Haven Independent; Paul Bass

Regional A

First Place

Lamont is guarding reserves. Critics say he’s prioritizing austerity over COVID response; Connecticut Mirror; Keith M. Phaneuf

Second Place

Broken promises to fund transportation defined last 15 years; Connecticut Mirror; Keith M. Phaneuf

Third Place

11 Connecticut towns tell the story of the 2020 presidential election; Hartford Courant; Michael Hamad

Regional B

First Place

Absentee ballot drop boxes and a test of  U.S. Postal Service delivery; Journal Inquirer; Matthew P. Knox

Second Place

A First Selectman’s atypical strategy; Greenwich Time; David Rafferty

Third Place

New Britain’s Christopher Columbus statue will be removed; New Britain Herald; Catherine Shen

 

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Absentee ballots 101; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle

Second Place

Preventing double voting; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle

Headline

Hyperlocal

First Place

A series of good starts; The Sound; Pam Johnson

Regional A

First Place

Just ‘plane’ luck/ The sound on the Bannon fury/ Meat supply at stake; Connecticut Post; Linda Levenson

Second Place

Headlines; The Day; Joe Turco

Regional B

First Place

Stable; Brrrr; Ripe; News-Times; Lynn Schnier

Second Place

The city that sleeps, And bagels make three, Who is that masked mannequin?; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

A house divided; School of spies: Finally a family; Connecticut Magazine; Albie Yuravich

Second Place

Three headlines; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Health

Hyperlocal

First Place

A fight against cancer; The Source; Maria Caulfield

Regional A

First Place

Fatal drug overdoses jumped in the first half of 2020; Hartford Courant; Rebecca Lurye

Second Place

Connecticut’s halfhearted battle: Response to lead poisoning epidemic lacks urgency; Connecticut Health I-Team; Jenifer Frank

Third Place

As pandemic wears on, Connecticut prepares to launch its long-awaited health information exchange; Connecticut Mirror; Jenna Carlesso

Regional B

First Place

Caring for loved ones comes at a cost; Greenwich Time; Tatiana Flowers

 

Second Place

Election, pandemic stressing people out; New Britain Herald; Catherine Shen

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Big data: CT bioscience companies use AI to speed up life-saving drug discoveries; New Haven Biz; Natalie Missakian

Second Place

Lyme disease: A curable nuisance, or a chronic time bomb?; Connecticut Magazine; Mike Wollschlager

Third Place

A mother’s vow finds hope in pain: After son dies of opioid overdose, a promise to Jordan is born; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

“We’re angry, we’re sad, we’re patient”: Pandemic forcing families apart; NBC 30; Heidi Voight

Second Place

Social isolation: Hidden health crisis for older people amid pandemic; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Jon Wardle, Garett Allison

Third Place

‘They get it done’: School nurse on front lines of COVID-19 crisis; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, Garett Allison

Humorous Column

Hyperlocal

First Place

Dancing in the dark; Guilford Courier; Juliana Gribbins

Regional A

First Place

Taking in 2020 from catbird seat; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon

Second Place

Hey governor, keep your distance; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon

Regional B

First Place

Mind races to exit from 2020; Greenwich Time; David Rafferty

Second Place

Love at the landfill; Stamford Advocate; Jerry Zezima

Third Place

Cognitive dissonance and the fly of the debate; Record-Journal; Jeffery Kurz

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

When tricks were treats; Seasons Magazine; Matthew Dicks

In-Depth

Hyperlocal

First Place

Mandy’s 2020 buying spree tops $37M; New Haven Independent; Thomas Breen

Second Place

Hamden “scoops & tosses” $25M; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Regional A

First Place

CT keeps losing power when storms strike. But that doesn’t have to happen.; Connecticut Mirror; Jan Ellen Spiegel

Second Place

Use of force; Connecticut Post; Bill Cummings

Third Place

1919 versus 2020; Connecticut Post; Jordan Fenster

Regional B

First Place

Domestic violence spike during pandemic; Journal Inquirer; Olivia Regen

Second Place

Woman survives being trafficked for sex, held in captivity, now helping others; New Britain Herald; Erica Drzewiecki

Third Place

Signs of Lanza’s possible effect emerge; News-Times; Rob Ryser

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Staying safe; Connecticut Voice; Carol Latter

Second Place

At age 62, a Bethlehem man’s life changed when he took a DNA test—and then it changed again; Connecticut Magazine; Mike Wollschlager

Third Place

Giving voice to the Holocaust: Local publisher focuses on diverse authors, issues; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

A funeral surprise; NBC 30; Sandra Jones

Second Place

5G generation: Is Connecticut ready for the new technology?; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Garett Allison, Ron DeLucia

Third Place

Rapid SOS; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Garett Allison

Infographic Design

Regional A

First Place

How Connecticut voter registrations have shifted; Connecticut Post; Derek Turner

Second Place

What you can and can’t do this summer; Connecticut Post; Sue Nusbaum

Third Place

So you think you know the royals?; Hartford Courant; Chris Moore

Regional B

First Place

COVID-19 daily update; Record-Journal; Richie Rathsack

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Find your match; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Second Place

Peering into our environmental future; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Infographic Reporting

Regional A

First Place

Haunted in CT; Connecticut Post; Andrew DeRosa

Second Place

Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez arrest details; Connecticut Post; Derek Turner

Investigative

Hyperlocal

First Place

Charmed scofflaw faces day of reckoning; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Second Place

Students say Amistad faked suspension stats; New Haven Independent; Christopher Peak

Third Place

QAnon cop broadcasts conspiracies; New Haven Independent; Paul Bass, Nora Grace-Flood, Ko Lyn Cheang, Thomas Breen

Regional A

First Place

Testing the USPS; Connecticut Post; Ethan Fry, Tara O’Neill, Brian Lockhart, Ed Stannard, Kendra Baker, Susan Shultz,  Emily Olson, Cassandra Day, Paul Schott, Ken Borsuk, Pat Tomlinson, Keila Torres Ocasio, Viktoria Sundqvist

Second Place

Separated by design: How wealthy towns keep people with housing vouchers out; Connecticut Mirror; Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Third Place

A federal program lets Connecticut police departments stockpile; Hartford Courant; Alex Putterman

Regional B

First Place

Battle over hiring retired school official as consultant; New Britain Herald; Catherine Shen

Second Place

Police defer to labor department on complaint against Wallingford massage business; Record-Journal; Lauren Takores

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Car registration crackdown; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, David Michnowicz

 

Second Place

Somers Surge; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle

Leisure

Hyperlocal

First Place

It was precedented; East Haven Courier; Pem McNerney

Regional A

First Place

We went out to dinner and here’s what we discovered; The Day; Karen Florin, Julia Bergman, Taylor Hartz, Kristina Dorsey, Tim Cotter

Second Place

Summertime beach policy; Hartford Courant; Don Stacom

Third Place

Tastes of summer in the dead of winter; The Day; Erica Moser

Regional B

First Place

Vsoulful Eatery; Journal Inquirer; Shawn Rychling

Second Place

South Norwalk restaurant’s ‘special spot’; The Hour; Erin Kayata

Third Place

Eagle cruise; Journal Inquirer; Tim Leininger

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Tavern on State in New Haven is quickly joining the giants of the state’s food scene; Connecticut Magazine; Mike Wollschlager

Second Place

Visiting St. Lucia; Hartford Magazine; David Holahan, Kyn Tolson

Local Reporting

Hyperlocal

First Place

Amid “moratorium,” 31 eviction cases filed; New Haven Independent; Thomas Breen

Second Place

Spike or trend?; Harbor News; Eric O’Connell

Third Place

They can fight. Can they function?; New Haven Independent; Sam Gurwitt

Regional A

First Place

Hartford’s homeless left to wander the streets; Hartford Courant; Rebecca Lurye

Second Place

Facebook community forums become controversial; The Day; Erica Moser

Third Place

Even superheroes are vulnerable to the pandemic; Connecticut Post; Brian Lockhart

Regional B

First Place

While overall housing stock increased, affordable units declined in local towns; Record-Journal; Michael Gagne

Second Place

Grant allows Meriden to take team approach to national opioid crisis; Record-Journal; Lauren Sellew

Third Place

Facebook ‘rant’ from Greenwich paramedic; Greenwich Time; Ken Borsuk

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Somers selectman gives himself raise; NBC 30; Len Besthoff, Jonathan Wardle, Katherine Loy

Second Place

Back from the brink: New Britain officer overwhelmed by support; NBC 30; Heidi Voight

Third Place

What’s on your mind?: Outrage, gratitude over Eversource storm response; NBC 30; Dan Corcoran, David Michnowicz

News Photo

Hyperlocal

First Place

United we stand; The Sound; Kelley Fryer

Regional A

First Place

A mock funeral for George Floyd; Connecticut Mirror; Cloe Poisson

Second Place

I can’t breath; The Day; Sarah Gordon

Third Place

Overheated firefighters; The Day; Sean D. Elliot

Regional B

First Place

Black Lives Matter rally in Wallingford; Record-Journal; Dave Zajac

Second Place

Fotis Dulos; The Hour; Erik Trautmann

Third Place

BLM protest; The Hour; Erik Trautmann

Non-Page 1 Layout

Regional A

First Place

Inner workings; The Day; Scott Ritter, Paul Choiniere

Second Place

November 29, 2020 – 1C; Waterbury Republican-American; Bill O’Brien

Third Place

A&E; New Haven Register; Lynn Schnier

Regional B

First Place

March sadness; Record-Journal; Eric Heredia

Second Place

Love of the game; New Britain Herald; David Glovach

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

The great pharma heist; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Second Place

Healthy from the inside out; Seasons Magazine; Stacy Murray

Third Place

School of spies; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Page 1 Layout

Regional A

First Place

Take me way back to the ballgame; Connecticut Post; Sue Nusbaum

Second Place

November 10, 2020; Waterbury Republican-American; Jim Flynn

Third Place

One small step for Connecticut; The Day; John Ruddy

Regional B

First Place

Taking a stand; Stamford Advocate; Sue Nusbaum

Second Place

No justice, no peace; New Britain Herald; David Glovach

Third Place

‘I feel like the real thing’; News-Times; Lynn Schnier

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

School of spies: The secret history of how Yale men helped build the CIA; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Second Place

World war II redux; Today Magazine; Bruce Deckert

Third Place

The big score; Connecticut Magazine; Greg Moody

Photo Essay

Hyperlocal

First Place

Orange residents go to the polls; Milford-Orange Times; Chandra Bozelko

Second Place

Easton Farms; Easton Courier; Rick Falco

 

Regional A

First Place

BLM on I-84; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan

Second Place

2020; New Haven Register; Arnold Gold, Brian A. Pounds, Peter Hvizdak, Christian Abraham

Third Place

Despite COVID shutdowns, arts organizations keep the holiday spirit going; Connecticut Mirror; Yehyun Kim

Regional B

First Place

Stamford police order encamped protesters to leave Latham Park; Stamford Advocate; Tyler Sizemore

Second Place

The city that sleeps; Greenwich Time; Sue Nusbaum, Tyler Sizemore

Third Place

BMX racers back in action at Falcon Field in Meriden; Record-Journal; Aaron Flaum

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

A treasure trove for all; Seasons Magazine; Tony Bacewicz

Second Place

Finding her Rhythm; Seasons Magazine; Winter Caplanson

Religion

Hyperlocal

First Place

Millennial minister; Guilford Courier; Pam Johnson

Regional A

First Place

State’s Black leaders and pastors react with dismay to suggestion by Connecticut governor; Hartford Courant; Michael Hamad

Second Place

Proposal to split United Methodist Church over gay marriage may hit hardest at local level; Hartford Courant; Emily Brindley

Third Place

New Haven Catholic schools merging; New Haven Register; Ed Stannard

Regional B

First Place

Parishioners flock back to church for the first time since shutdown; New Britain Herald; Erica Drzewiecki

Second Place

New Britain church leaders create multi-faith prayer services; New Britain Herald; Catherine Shen

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

A whale of a tale; WAG Magazine; Phil Hall

 

Reporting Series

Hyperlocal

First Place

Farm series; Easton Courier; Kelly Wendt, Karen Brewer, Nancy Doniger, Jane Paley, Rick Falco

Second Place

Students seeking and creating social justice; Guilford Courier; Pam Johnson

Regional A

First Place

A better deal: Inclusive economic recovery; Connecticut Mirror; Tom Condon, Kelan Lyons, Keith Phaneuf, Jenna Carlesso, Mark Pazniokas, Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Second Place

Police accountability; The Day; Staff

Third Place

2020 bright lights; The Day; Staff

Regional B

First Place

Fairfield University case; The Hour; Justin Papp

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Three types of loss; WNPR; Ryan Lindsay

Sports Column

Regional A

First Place

Connecticut idol George Springer must find a way to repair his reputation as Astros cheating scandal; Hartford Courant; Dom Amore

Second Place

Room in lineup for No. 42; Connecticut Post; Ken Dixon

Third Place

Born with one hand, this Connecticut high school basketball player is defying the odds; Hartford Courant; Dom Amore

Regional B

First Place

Paying tribute to the late great Ted Moynihan; Record-Journal; Bryant Carpenter

Second Place

It’s time to create the Mets way; Greenwich Time; David Rafferty

Third Place

Attending New Britain Bees baseball game during pandemic; New Britain Herald; David Glovach

Sports Feature

Hyperlocal

First Place

Area baseball players savor the chance to play again; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.

 

Second Place

Dan Rooney inducted into Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame; Glastonbury LIFE; Mara Dresner

Regional A

First Place

This Suffield couple attended thousands of Connecticut high school basketball games; Hartford Courant; Lori Riley

Second Place

Where are they now? Montville girls’ cross country put together a long run of dominance; The Day; Vickie Fulkerson

Third Place

It was 25 years ago when the 1995 UConn women beat Tennessee for their first title; Hartford Courant; Alexa Philippou

Regional B

First Place

Thanksgiving memories burrow deep, and they’ll resume next year; Record-Journal; Bryant Carpenter

Second Place

CCSU quarterback Aaron Winchester prepares for NFL Draft; New Britain Herald; David Glovach

Third Place

Former Aquinas, St. Paul soccer star Bajek talks recovery, redemption; New Britain Herald; Ryan Chichester

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Staying the course; Seasons Magazine; John Torsiello

Second Place

A horse of another color; WAG Magazine; Phil Hall

Third Place

Eyes on the prize; Connecticut Voice; John Torsiello

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

A hawk flying high; WFSB; Elliott Polakoff

Second Place

Believe: Farmington’s toughest opponent; NBC 30; Matt Finkel

Third Place

Setting the standard; WFSB; Elliott Polakoff

Sports News

Hyperlocal

First Place

Canton outlasts Granby for historic conference championship win; CollinsvillePress.com; Gerry deSimas, Jr.

Second Place

Claiming the title; Guilford Courier; Dean Bibens

Third Place

CIAC cancels state tournaments; North Haven Courier; Chris Piccirillo

Regional A

First Place

Dealing with travel restrictions; Hartford Courant; Alexa Philippou

Second Place

Steve Dalkowski, flame-throwing figure of baseball lore, dies of coronavirus in New Britain; Hartford Courant; Dom Amore

Third Place

Black runners in Connecticut didn’t need Ahmaud Arbery as a warning: ‘You’re a target’; Hartford Courant; Lori Riley

Regional B

First Place

In coda to perfection, Southington ends season with CCC regional crown; Record-Journal; Bryant Carpenter

Second Place

Jack Cochran talks New Britain football job, the controversy surrounding him applying; New Britain Herald; David Glovach

Third Place

No. 4 Xavier rallies to beat No. 2 Simsbury for Class L championship; Connecticut Wrestling Online; Gerry deSimas, Jr.

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

A special meeting; WFSB; Elliott Polakoff

Sports Photo

Hyperlocal

First Place

The winner; The Sound; Kelley Fryer

Regional A

First Place

League champions; The Day; Sean D. Elliot

Second Place

Finish line emotion; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan

Third Place

Hearts fend off Crusaders; Waterbury Republican-American; Bill Shettle

Regional B

First Place

“Wrestling: 10, 9, 8, 7 — boom! Carr lands late takedown to capture State Open crown”; Record-Journal; Aaron Flaum

Second Place

Headed for home; Journal Inquirer; Jim Michaud

Regional B

Third Place

Volleyball player; The Hour; Erik Trautmann

Video Storytelling

Regional A

First Place

After the storm; Connecticut Post; Derek Turner

Second Place

Alzheimer’s choir goes virtual; The Day; Peter Huoppi, Taylor Hartz

Third Place

Volleyball with masks; GameTimeCT.com; Pete Paguaga

Regional B

First Place

Urgency around in-person learning in Meriden rooted in data, experience; Record-Journal; Aaron Flaum

Second Place

‘Let us play!’ is the cry heard ‘round Hartford as players rally at Capitol; Record-Journal; Aaron Flaum

Regional C (Magazine)

First Place

Misgendering; Connecticut Voice; Dawn Ennis

Second Place

Eva Gold; Connecticut Voice; Dawn Ennis

Regional D (Broadcast)

First Place

Governor’s reopen CT plan; NBC 30; Nicholas Doscher, Jamie Ratliff

 

 

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.  

Finalists announced for 2020 Excellence in Journalism contest

Click the link below to download the word document file featuring the finalists for the 2020 Excellence in Journalism contest. Winners will be announced later this spring after judging has completed.

2020_ContestFinalists_3.10.21

CT SPJ student journalism contest open for entries

CTSPJ College Journalism Contest

The Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists’ annual college contest will be open for entries from April 15 through May 6, 2024.

The contest is for entries of work by student journalists published or broadcast during the 2023-24 academic year. The deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. on May 6.

The contest categories are:

Reporting
Audio storytelling
General reporting
Feature story
Spot News story

Sports
Sports feature story
Sports news story

Opinion
General Column/Commentary
Editorial/Op-Ed
Photo and video
Feature photo
News Photo
Sports Photo
Video storytelling

Layout
Non-Page 1 Layout
Page 1 layout

STUDENT CONTEST INSTRUCTIONS

You’ll need:

•  A user name and password: Register for a new account on the site here.
• Know which categories your entries are in
• The date each entry was published (must be during the 2023-2024 academic year)
• Your SPJ student member number, if you are a member entering on your own behalf
• A credit card number or check
• A working link to each entry, or a file in one of the following formats

– Audio: .mp3
– Video: .mov, .mp4, .wmv, .avi
– Images: .jpg, .gif, .png, .pdf
– Print: PDF or JPG version of the page the article appeared on

The entry fees are:
– $5 for college SPJ members (membership ID number required)
– $10 for non-members and college media outlets paying for entries

New this year: If you’re paying with a credit card, you’ll be redirected to the third-party payment platform Stripe.
If you do not see your publication on the entry list, please contact contest clerk Kathleen Farmer at kathleenctspj@gmail.com.

STEPS TO ENTER

– Register for an account on the contest site here
– Log in to the site using your new account.
– From the Main Category drop down menu, select “College Contest.”

The work must have been published online or in print, or broadcast or streamed.

While the entries must be from the 2023-24 academic year, a technical error on the website makes it so that you MUST enter the year 2023 on the contest site. (Judges will verify that the work was published/broadcast during the 2023-24 academic year).

Contest winners will be announced on our Facebook page and on our website in June. Certificates will be mailed out to all winners through their school.

Connecticut SPJ 2020 Excellence in Journalism Contest

The 2020 Excellence in Journalism contest is now open for entries! The deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 16! Feb. 12, 2021. You can enter the contest at https://awards.connecticutspj.org. The contest is open for items published or broadcast in 2020.

 

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 national SPJ membership coordinator Caroline Escobar by email at cescobar@spj.org or by phone at 317-361-4132 if you do not know your member number.

Read more about this year’s contest here, including what categories are available and what circulation class your news outlet belongs in. 

For questions about the Connecticut contest, please contact me at kathleenctspj@gmail.com.

College contest winners announced for the 2019-20 academic year

The Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists’ student contest highlighted the best work published or broadcast during the 2019-20 academic year. Students from six different colleges or universities in Connecticut participated in this year’s contest. Scroll below to see the winners! 

Audio Storytelling

First Place

In Context with CCSU journalism: Episode 3; Central Connecticut State University; Kristina Vakhman, Amanda Kenny, Kelly Langevin

Second Place

In Context with CCSU journalism: Episode 1; Central Connecticut State University; Kristina Vakhman,  Joshua Rosario, Mauriah Johnson

Third Place

In Context with CCSU journalism: Episode 2-The football edition; Central Connecticut State University; Kristina Vakhman, Ryan Jones, Trevi Alickolli, Joshua Rosario

COVID-19 Reporting

First Place

CCSU offers pass/fail option to students; Central Connecticut State University; Samantha Bender

Second Place

“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”; The Tamarack; Nicole Hayes

Third Place

Safe way to get mental health help may have consequences beyond Covid-19; The Recorder; Kelly Langevin

Editorial/Op-ed

First Place

Be a man about it; The Tamarack; Kathleen Chesto

Second Place

The problem with staying informed; University of New Haven Charger Bulletin; Mia Steadman

Third Place

The new Nazis?; The Tamarack; Alexander Wilson

Feature

First Place

Kicking the vaping habit; Crescent magazine; Amanda Cavoto

Second Place

‘All I want is for us to be visible’ PRIDE president speaks on recognizing transgender deaths; The Recorder; Isabella Chan

Third Place

Beyond the margins; The Tamarack; Anjelika Rodis

Feature Photo

First Place

Irish dancer; Crescent magazine; Jason Edwards

Second Place

A job well done; Quinnipiac Bobcats Sports Network; Liz Flynn

General Column/Commentary

First Place

Queer code: Transgender day of remembrance; The Tamarack; Alexander Wilson

Second Place

Harvey Weinstein’s sentencing: a win for Hollywood; Q30 Television; Gabby Brailovskiy

Third Place

That’s what she said: The little feminist that could; The Tamarack; Jessica Ney

General Reporting

First Place

FOI documents show professors accused of sexual misconduct went on to other universities; The Recorder; Thomas Hopkins

Second Place

Former student accused of showing interest in mass shooting had long, troubling history; The Recorder; Sarah Willson

Third Place

Student with wheelchair speaks out about campus inaccessibility; University of New Haven Charger Bulletin; Jennifer Korn, Beth Beaudry

Non-Page 1 Layout

First Place

Southern swag; Crescent magazine; Muhaymina Plair

Second Place

CCSU sports: Aaron Winchester; The Recorder; Julia Jade Moran

Third Place

Hearts of the Sound; Crescent magazine; Samuel Fix

Page 1 Layout

First Place

The Charger Bulletin May 5, 2020 edition; University of New Haven Charger Bulletin; Anna Downs

Sports Feature Story

First Place

Chiara Bacchini makes her return to the court; Q30 Television; Bryan Schwartz

Second Place

Jones brings new energy; Southern News; Sam Tapper

Third Place

Long distance relationship; Quinnipiac Bobcats Sports Network; Jacob Shiffer

Sports News Story

First Place

Ex Patriot player returns; Southern News; Hunter O. Lyle

Second Place

New volleyball locker room shows steps towards gender equity; Central Connecticut State University; Ryan Jones

Third Place

Mushaw gives gift of life; Central Connecticut State University; Ryan Jones

Sports Photo

First Place

Hug me, brother!; Quinnipiac Bobcats Sports Network; Liz Flynn

Second Place

A senior day celebration; Quinnipiac Bobcats Sports Network; Liz Flynn

Third Place

Call it a goal; Quinnipiac Bobcats Sports Network; Liz Flynn

Video Storytelling

First Place

UCTV News: Behind the scenes of the UConn Fire Department; UCTV Uconn; Luke Hajdasz, Regan Schiappa, Luke Hajdasz

Please note: Certificates will be mailed out to all winners to the address provided in the contest entry. Should you wish to have it mailed to another address, please email Contest Chair Viktoria Sundqvist at vickansundqvist(at)gmail.com by July 19 with your alternative address.