Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Sheboygan Press Entry Title: ‘How do we do something we’ve never done before?’: Meet the students behind Sheboygan North High School's barrier-breaking drumline. Entry Credit: Maya Hilty Judge Comment: This feature is booming! I was hooked from the line, "Every single part of drumline is our favorite." The story captures the students' joy and exuberance, as well as their seriousness and dedication -- anyone reading becomes an instant super-fan of their work, which is a great outcome for a community spotlight. The colorful visuals and multimedia just heighten this burst of brightness and journalism joy.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Oshkosh Northwestern Entry Title: It's getting tougher for volunteer fire departments in Wisconsin to find firefighters. That has an effect on the communities they serve Entry Credit: Bremen Keasey, Roshaun Higgins, Renee Hickman Judge Comment: From individuals to institutions, this feature grapples with the heaviness of its topic at every necessary level of complexity without losing the reader in arcane detail. With emotive visuals, striking data and well-planned depth, the authors engage readers in understanding the crisis and its impacts on their community -- a public service of great storytelling.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Daily Tribune Entry Title: 'I think we have it!': How two Wisconsin Rapids kayakers finally found the 'lost treasure' of Kayak Jack Entry Credit: Keith Uhlig Judge Comment: Here we really have three stories in one -- a dramatic kayak adventure, a lifelong pair of best friends achieving a dream and an author creating real-world experiences for his reading community. Somehow, the reporter ties it all together in a story that is a super-fun read and makes you want to get out on the water to find some hidden treasure.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Stevens Point Journal Entry Title: What do all those new murals around Stevens Point mean? For the artists, the work amplifies voices and celebrates women Entry Credit: Melissa Siegler Judge Comment: This feature is a community tour, and it tells many short stories in great depth, highlighting a diverse cross-section of the people and lives that make up the city. One thing that really sets this piece apart is the visuals, which are vibrant and compelling to pair with the nuanced writing.
