Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Lake Geneva Regional News Entry Title: A needlessly sad ending; Legislature fails again; A doggone bad idea Entry Credit: Stephanie Jones Judge Comment: Significance of the topics is obvious, and the clarity of thought stands out. The quality of the writing is excellent and information is presented to support the strong opinions being expressed. Some readers may not agree with the opinions but they will understand the facts being noted in the editorials. I would continue to read the editorials whether I agreed with you or not because of them being strong and supported by facts. Certainly, I like the topics being covered.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Grant County Herald Independent Entry Title: Oct. 7, Feb 3, Feb 24 Entry Credit: David Timmerman Judge Comment: The writer is concerned about truth in multiple ways. And often provides information to show falsehoods. As an editor he should be aware of truths, as should his readers. But, as he notes, what people often believe as truths are not really truths. His writing can be clearly understood, and his significance of topics is fine. In one editorial he shows a compassion that would be felt by many. No doubt, he is read by people who see truths in the editorials and by those who don't.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Star News Entry Title: Do the crime, do the time; Planning commission made right call for homeless shelter; Rib Lake board should drop downtown camera plan Entry Credit: Brian Wilson Judge Comment: Yes, the editorials are effectively written and contain facts to support the positions presented. The topics have signifiant worth. A weakness is in the clarity of thought when the strongest editorial has a headline that suggests a great decision was made but the editorial does not list the decision, though I assume the building was approved.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: The Valders Journal Entry Title: Oct. 28, 2021-Overworked staffs deserve our grace; June 23, 2022-Performing arts at school showing life; June 30, 2022-Knowledge could ease rage over Roe Entry Credit: Mary Thomsen Judge Comment: While two topics are well worth noting the need for kindness and why businesses are short of help and why it is great to see the arts programs being revised, the third topic touches more readers and is one which should receive strong notice. It should receive both agreement and non-agreement. The editorials are well-written but more facts would make the clarity of thought stronger.
Competition Comment: Editorials often don't attract as many entries in the contests as other categories do, but in this case the lack of entries did not bother the quality of the editorials. They were fun to read, and a variety of topics were presented. No doubt, some topics will attract both pro and non responses. Doing so is great to see. It was valuable to see a number of facts presented in the editorials instead of ranting opinions. Impressive were comments on the version of truths being presented and ways of showing that not all those truths are real truths. It's nice to read real editorials.
