CALL FOR ENTRIES

The Arkansas Pro Chapter of The Society of Professional Journalists recently released “Ethics to Ethics” a card game based on the SPJ Code of Ethics that was inspired by games such as Apples to Apples and Cards Against Humanity. Sarah DeClerk, chapter president, said she hopes the game will provide aspiring and established journalists with a fun, educational activity to enjoy while social distancing.
“I think it’s good to interact with journalism ethics in a playful way,” DeClerk said. “I hope that the game will provide moments of joy that could also spark conversations about real-world ethical situations.”
The Ethics to Ethics instructions and deck can be downloaded below. For more information, contact DeClerk at spjsarahdeclerk@gmail.com.
7 p.m. CT Tuesday, Dec. 1
Learn about those who have provided fact-checking of presidential debates and other
news events during the Just the Facts webinar, hosted by the Arkansas Pro Chapter of
the Society of Professional Journalists. The panel will provide information about the ins
and outs of fact-checking, as well as its importance to audiences.
Speaker: Debra Utacia Krol of the Arizona Republic
Debra Utacia Krol, an Indigenous affairs reporter at the Arizona Republic, was part
of a team of experts that fact-checked a Trump-Biden presidential debate on behalf
of USA TODAY. She is an award-winning journalist who specializes in Indigenous,
environmental and science topics.
Other speakers to be announced.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83533003181?pwd=L3hXaG5tNGkwS2g4LzdnU0xaR2drUT09
Password: ArkPro
The Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is awarding $500 scholarships this fall to two students at universities in the state to help offset the financial stress of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The scholarships are in addition to two $1,000 scholarships the chapter traditionally awards each spring.
“Our chapter decided to provide the scholarships using some of the funds we typically allot for in-person programming,” said Sarah DeClerk, chapter president. “We are committed to assisting up-and-coming communications professionals, and providing these emergency scholarships is a great opportunity to do so.”
The students are Gabriel Grant Huff of West Memphis, a sophomore multimedia journalism major at Harding University in Searcy, and Mary Katherine Shapiro of McKinney, Texas, a senior English and journalism major at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
“College students are definitely feeling the financial effects of the pandemic,” said Sonny Rhodes, chair of the chapter’s scholarship committee. “We had the most scholarship applications we have had in a long time – possibly ever – in my 20-odd years of working with the scholarship committee.”
The Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is an organization that promotes journalism and advocates for journalists throughout the state. For more information, visit arkansasspj.org.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE, APPLY FAST!
Attention students and media advisers.
We know the pandemic has brought on extra stress and financial burdens for students everywhere.
That’s why the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is offering two $500 scholarships for the fall semester.
Students must act fast, though. The application deadline is Oct. 31. The two scholarships will be awarded in time for Thanksgiving! Checks will be made payable to the student.
Advisers, please help us identifying deserving students who are majoring or minoring in journalism, public relations, or a related communications emphasis.
Each of the scholarships will go to a student enrolled during the Fall 2020 semester. It will go to a student who is academically qualified, who demonstrates financial need, and who shows promise.
Each applicant may fill out an online application and submit a 500-word essay, reference letters and work samples at tinyurl.com/spjscholarship.
For additional information, please email cmrhodes@ualr.edu.
The Society of Professional Journalists – Arkansas Pro annual Membership Meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, July 17. During the meeting, we will elect the 2020 board of directors. We will also hear from local reporters about their experiences covering the protests against racial injustice in Little Rock. Our keynote speakers will be Alexis Wainright of KARK and Fox 16 and Paige Cushman and Shelby Rose of KATV.
Board candidates for the 2020-2021 term include Sarah DeClerk of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (president); Steven Listopad of Henderson State University (vice president); Rob Moritz of the University of Central Arkansas (treasurer); Lauren McCabe, who recently graduated from UCA (secretary); Jennifer Ellis of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Sonny Albarado, who recently retired from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Sarah Campbell-Miller of Arkansas Business; Andrew DeMillo of The Associated Press; Wendy Miller of The Trucker; Brittany Reese of KATV Channel 7; and Ronak Patel, a student journalist at UCA.
Attendees may register in advance for this webinar at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dQHaFA-DTmq1Ldw-sI19fA
Multimedia
2018-2019 Arkansas School Grades
Yutao Chen, Cynthia Howell
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Second Place: Yutao Chen, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Specialized Website
Amanda Claire Curcio, Gavin Lesnick
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Second Place: Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Editorials – Daily Newspapers
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Editorials – Non-Daily Newspapers
Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia
Richmond News, Richmond, MO
Second Place: Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia, Richmond News
Editorials – Magazines
Johnny Carrol Sain, Chris Zimmerman
ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR
Second Place: Johnny Carrol Sain, Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine
Third Place: Johnny Carrol Sain, Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine
Columns – Daily Newspapers
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Second Place: John Brummett, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Third Place: Kelly Brant, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Columns – Non-Daily Newspapers
Editor’s Note: Women and Politics in Mississippi
Donna Ladd
Jackson Free Press, Jackson, MS
Second Place: Anthony Mariani, Fort Worth Weekly, Fort Worth, TX
Third Place: Rick Kron, Leader Newspaper, Jacksonville, AR
Columns – Magazines
Johnny Carrol Sain, Chris Zimmerman
ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR
Second Place: Dustin Jayroe, Arkansas Money & Politics Magazine, Little Rock
Third Place: Johnny Carrol Sain, Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine
News – Daily Newspapers
Democrat-Gazette Staff
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Second Place: Clara Turnage, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Third Place: Lisa Hammersly, Eric Besson, Michael Wickline, Linda Satter
News – Non-Daily Newspapers
Immigration Raids, Mississippi Economy
Ashton Pittman
Jackson Free Press, Jackson, MS
Second Place: Tammy Keith, ADG River Valley & Ozark Edition
Third Place: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Arkansas Catholic
News – Magazines
Dwain Hebda
YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for SAVVYKids Magazine
Second Place: Kinsey Crocker, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City
Third Place: Tyler Hale, Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock
Feature – Daily Newspapers
Celia Storey
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Second Place: Bill Bowden, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Third Place: Sarah DeClerk, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Feature – Non-Daily Newspapers
Escape From the Slaughterhouse
Danny Wicentowski
Riverfront Times, St. Louis, MO
Second Place: Rick Kron, Leader Newspaper, Jacksonville, AR
Third Place: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for The Daily Record
Feature – Magazines
Bret Schulte
Wilson Quarterly, Washington, D.C.
Second Place: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for AY Magazine
Third Place: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for AY Magazine
Investigative Reporting – Daily Newspapers
Lisa Hammersly, Ginny Monk
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Second Place: Eric Besson, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Third Place: Amanda Claire Curcio, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Investigative Reporting – Non-Daily Newspapers
Scott Loftis
Carroll County Newspapers, Eureka Springs, AR
Second Place: Ashton Pittman, Jackson Free Press, Jackson, MS
Third Place: Danny Wicentowski, Riverfront Times, St. Louis, MO
Sports – Daily Newspapers
Tom Murphy
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Second Place: Bob Holt, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Third Place: Trenton Daeschner, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Sports – Non-Daily Newspapers
Tammy Keith
ADG River Valley & Ozark Edition
Second Place: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Arkansas Catholic
Third Place: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Arkansas Catholic
Sports – Magazines
Mark Carter
Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock
Second Place: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Do South Magazine
Third Place: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for 501 Life Magazine
Politics – Daily Newspapers
Frank Lockwood, Hunter Field, John Moritz
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Second Place: Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press, Little Rock
Third Place: John Moritz, Hunter Field, Michael Wickline, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Politics – Non-Daily Newspapers
Race and Gender in Mississippi Elections
Ashton Pittman
Jackson Free Press, Jackson, MS
Politics – Magazines
Nathan Poppe
The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City
Second Place: Staff, The Curbside Chronicle
Third Place: Mark Carter, Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock
Arts & Culture – Daily Newspapers
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Second Place: Eric Harrison, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Arts & Culture – Non-Daily Newspapers
Aliyah Veal
Jackson Free Press, Jackson, MS
Second Place: Tammy Keith, ADG River Valley & Ozark Edition
Arts & Culture – Magazines
Dwain Hebda
YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Do South Magazine
Second Place: Johnny Carrol Sain, Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR
Third Place: Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City
Health – Daily Newspapers
Lisa Hammersly, Ginny Monk
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Second Place: Cody Graves, ADG Healthbeat
Third Place: Sarah DeClerk, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Health – Non-Daily Newspapers
Abortion Fight Obscuring Maternal Mortality
Ashton Pittman
Jackson Free Press, Jackson, MS
Second Place: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for The Daily Record
Third Place: Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia, Richmond News, Richmond, MO
Health – Magazines
Dustin Jayroe
AY (About You) Magazine, Little Rock
Second Place: Lisa Fischer, AY Magazine
Third Place: Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for SAVVYKids Magazine
STEM – Non-Daily Newspapers
Retired Conway Educators Reward Girls in Math
Tammy Keith
ADG River Valley & Ozark Edition
STEM – Magazines
Tyler Hale
Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock
Design – Magazines
The Hero We Need, The Hero We Deserve, The Hero We Hunger For
Chris Zimmerman
ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR
Second Place: Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine
Third Place: Rebecca Robertson, AY Magazine, Little Rock
Photography
Jenn Terrell
Babiekins Magazine
Second Place: Staton Breidenthal, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Third Place: Tommy Metthe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Photo Package/Spread
Tommy Metthe
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Second Place: Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City
Third Place: Tommy Metthe, Staton Breidenthal, Bill Bowden, Dale Ellis, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Photo Portfolio
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Second Place: Staton Breidenthal, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Third Place: Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City
Graphics/Illustrations
William Muschinske
The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City
Second Place: Joshua Boydstun, The Curbside Chronicle
Third Place: Jayna Hadwiger, The Curbside Chronicle
Documentary/Investigative Reporting – Television
Beyond Borders – A Trip Abroad
Monica Quintero, David Wagner, David Lowell
KPEJ/KMID/KLST, Odessa/Midland/San Angelo, TX
News – Radio
Protesters Flock to Arkansas Tech
Daniel Breen
KUAR-FM 89.1, Little Rock
Second Place: Daniel Breen, KUAR-FM 89.1
Third Place: Sarah Kellogg, KUAR-FM 891.
Feature – Radio
Livestock Showing Is Most Important
Kelly Connelly
KUAR-FM 89.1, Little Rock
Second Place: David Monteith, Michael Hibblen, KUAR-FM 89.1
Documentary/Investigative Reporting – Radio
J. Bradley Minnick, Mary Ellen Kubit
KUAR-FM 89.1, Little Rock
Politics – Radio
Statues of Johnny Cash, Daisy Bates
Michael Hibblen
KUAR-FM 89.1, Little Rock
Second Place: Daniel Breen, KUAR-FM 89.1
Third Place: Michael Hibblen, KUAR-FM 89.1
Health – Radio
Doctor’s Advice on Medical Marijuana
Michael Hibblen
KUAR-FM 89.1, Little Rock
Special Section (All Print)
Jennifer Ellis
ADG Three Rivers Edition
Second Place: Wendy Miller, Sarah DeClerk, Staff, Downtown Little Rock
STUDENT JOURNALISM
News (Print/Online) – Student
Medical Marijuana Forces Law Enforcement Changes
Chase Gage
Delta News Service, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro
Second Place: Tristan Bennett, Delta Digital News Service
Third Place: Chloe Short, Brooke Buckner, Colby Sigears, Jessica Ladd, Yu Bai, Delta Digital News Service
Feature (Print/Online) – Student
Hannah Butler, Liz Chrisman, Chris Zimmerman
ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR
Second Place: Matthew Emery, Delta Digital News Service, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro
Third Place: Chase Gage, Delta Digital News Service
Sports (Print/Online) – Student
Denton Postlewait
Delta News Service, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro
Second Place: Kenzie Sain, Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR
Third Place: Denton Postlewait, Delta Digital News Service
SPECIAL AWARDS
Community Service
Ashton Pittman, Aliyah Veal, Donna Ladd
Jackson Free Press, Jackson, MS
Second Place: Staff, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City
Third Place: Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Robert S. McCord FOI Award
Eric Besson
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Runner-up: Seyma Bayram, Donna Ladd, Nick Judin, Jackson Free Press, Jackson, MS
Outstanding New Journalist of the Year
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Runner-up: Rachel Herzog, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Diamond Journalist of the Year
Cynthia Howell
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
Runner-up: Monica Quintero, KPEJ/KMID, Odessa-Midland, TX
Judges have chosen the finalists for the 2020 Diamond Journalism Awards, a regional competition sponsored by the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. The awards recognize outstanding journalism by professionals and students from Arkansas and bordering states.
Winners of the Diamond Journalist of the Year, the Outstanding New Journalist , and the Robert McCord FOI Award will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on June 30. More details coming soon.
Here is a list of finalists by category:
Multimedia (any platform)
Yutao Chen, Cynthia Howell
Specialized website (any platform)
Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Gavin Lesnick and Amanda Claire Curcio
Editorials (daily newspapers)
David Barham, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Editorials (non-daily newspapers)
Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia, Richmond (MO) News
Editorials (magazines)
Johnny Carrol Sain and Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR
Columns (daily newspapers)
Kelly Brant, Rex Nelson, John Brummett, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Columns (non-daily newspapers)
Anthony Mariani, Fort Worth (TX) Weekly, Rick Kron, The Leader, Jacksonville, AR; Donna Ladd, Jackson (MS) Free Press
Columns (magazines)
Johnny Carrol Sain and Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR; Dustin Jayroe, Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock
News (daily newspapers)
Linda Satter, Clara Turnage, Hammersly, Eric Besson, Michael R. Wickline, Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
News (non-daily newspapers)
Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Arkansas Catholic; Tammy Keith, River Valley & Ozark Edition, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Ashton Pittman, Jackson (MS) Free Press
News (magazine)
Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for SAVVYKids Magazine, Little Rock; Kimsey Crocker, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City; Tyler Hale, Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock
Feature (daily newspapers)
Bill Bowden, Sarah DeClerk, Celia Storey, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Feature (non-daily newspapers)
Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for The Daily Record, Little Rock; Rick Kron, The Leader, Jacksonville, AR; Danny Wicentowski, Riverfront Times, St. Louis
Feature (magazine)
Bret Schulte, Wilson Quarterly, Washington, D.C.; Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for AY Magazine, Little Rock
Investigative Reporting (daily newspapers)
Amanda Claire Curcio, Eric Besson, Lisa Hammersly, Ginny Monk, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Investigative Reporting (non-daily newspapers)
Scott Loftis, Carroll County Newspapers, Berryville, AR; Danny Wicentowski, Riverfront Times, St. Louis; Ashton Pittman, Jackson (MS) Free Press
Sports (daily newspapers)
Trenton Daeschner, Bob Holt, Tom Murphy, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Sports (non-daily newspapers)
Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Arkansas Catholic, Little Rock; Tammy Keith, River Valley & Ozark Edition, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Sports (magazines)
Mark Carter, Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock; Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Do South Magazine, Fort Smith, AR; Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for 501 Life Magazine, Conway, AR
Politics (daily newspapers)
Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press; Frank Lockwood, Hunter Field, John Moritz, Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Politics (non-daily newspapers)
Ashton Pittman, Jackson (MS) Free Press
Politics (magazines)
Mark Carter, Arkansas Money & Politics; Staff, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City; Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle
Arts & Culture (daily lnewspapers)
Eric Harrison, Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Arts & Culture (non-daily newspapers)
Aliyah Veal, Jackson (MS) Free Press; Tammy Keith, River Valley & Ozark Edition, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Arts & Culture (magazines)
Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City; Johnny Carrol Sain, Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR; Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for Do South Magazine, Fort Smith, AR
Health (daily newspapers)
Sarah DeClerk, Cody Graves, Lisa Hammersly, Ginny Monk, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Health (non-daily newspapers)
Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia, Richmond (MO) News; Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for The Daily Record, Little Rock; Ashton Pittman, Jackson (MS) Free Press
Health (magazines)
Dustin Jayroe, Lisa Fischer, AY Magazine, Little Rock; Dwain Hebda, YA!MULE WORDSMITHS for SAVVYKids Magazine, Little Rock
STEM (non-daily newspapers)
Tammy Keith, River Valley & Ozark Edition, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
STEM (magazines)
Tyler Hale, Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock
Design (magazines)
Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR; Rebecca Robertson, AY Magazine, Little Rock
Photography
Jenn Terrell, Babiekins Magazine Blog; Thomas Metthe, Staton Briedenthal, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Photo Package/Spread
Thomas Metthe, Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City
Photography Portfolio
Nathan Poppe, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City; Thomas Metthe, Staton Briedenthal, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Graphics/Illustrations
Jayne Hadwiger, Joshua Boydstun, William Muschinske, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City
TV Documentary/Investigative Reporting
Monica Quintero, David Wagner, David Lowell, KPEJ/KMIKD/ KLST, Odessa, TX
News (radio/audio)
Daniel Breen, Sarah Kellogg, KUAR-FM, Little Rock
Feature (radio/audio)
Kelly Connelly, David Monteith, Michael Hibblen, KUAR-FM, Little Rock
Documentary/Investigative Reporting (radio/audio)
J. Bradley Minnick, Mary Ellen Kubit, KUAR-FM, Little Rock
Politics (radio/audio)
Michael Hibblen, Daniel Breen, KUAR-FM, Little Rock
Health (radio/audio)
Michael Hibblen, KUAR-FM, Little Rock
Community Service (all platforms)
Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Staff, Jackson (MS) Free Press; Staff, The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City
Special section (all print)
Downtown Little Rock Magazine, ADG Promotions Staff; Football Preview, Jennifer Ellis, Wendy Miller, Sarah DeClerk, Three Rivers Edition, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
STUDENT JOURNALISM
News
Tristan Bennett, Chase Gage, Chloe Short, Brooke Buckner, Colby Sigears, Jessica Ladd, Yu Bai, Delta Digital News Service, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro
Feature
Hannah Butler, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, AR; Matthew Emery, Chase Gage, Delta Digital News Service, Arkansas State Univerity, Jonesboro
Sports
Denton Postlewait, Delta Digital News Service, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro; Kenzie Sain, Chris Zimmerman, ABOUT the River Valley Magazine