CALL FOR ENTRIES
2021 Diamond Journalism Awards
Category: Diamond Awards
2020 Diamond Awards Winners
Winners of the 2020 Diamond Journalism Awards were announced June 30 in a virtual presentation. Watch the video here.
This year’s competition was judged by members of the Detroit Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Here are links to the entries of the first-place winners.
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
Finalists for the 2020 Diamond Journalism Awards
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
Earn Your Diamonds
Enter the 2020 Diamond Journalism Awards Today!
Attention professional and student journalists in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas:
The 2020 Diamond Journalism Awards entry period is underway.
Sponsored by the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Diamond Journalism Awards is open to any professional or student journalist, including freelancers, working in Arkansas and bordering states (Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Tennessee).
Eligible work must have been published or broadcast between Jan. 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2019.
Entries are now being accepted online at https://betternewspapercontest.com/. Submitted entries can be either pdfs or URL links or both. No Word documents accepted.
The entry deadline is March 20, 2020
For details on entry rules and requirements please visit here.
To pay for entries, go here.
Finalists selected for 2019 Diamond Journalism Awards
Judges have chosen the finalists for the 2019 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.
The Diamond Journalist of the Year will be announced at the awards ceremony and annual membership meeting, which will take place 6 p.m. June 25 at the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium in Little Rock. Tickets are $15 per person, including heavy hors d’oeuvres and libations. More details about the event will soon be released.
Here is a list of finalists by category:
Specialized website (any platform)
Jeanne Roberts, Gavin Lesnick and Mitchell Pe Masilun, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Rachel Herzog, Brandon Riddle and Polly Irungu, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Gavin Lesnick, Nikki Dawes, Ginny Monk, John Moritz and Ryan Tarinelli, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Slideshow (any platform)
Staff, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Multimedia (any platform)
Nikki Dawes, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Gavin Lesnick and Jillian Kremer, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Staff, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Video portfolio (any platform)
Mitchell Pe Masilun, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Arts and culture (daily newspapers)
Philip Martin, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Kelly Brant, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Health (daily newspapers)
Kat Stromquist, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Emma Pettit, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Sarah DeClerk, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Politics (daily newspapers)
Rachel Herzog, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Hunter Field, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press
Sports (daily newspapers)
Jeremy Muck, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Bob Holt, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Investigative reporting (daily newspapers)
Ginny Monk, John Moritz and Ryan Tarinelli, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Hannah Grabenstein, The Associated Press; Stephen Steed, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Feature (daily newspapers)
Ginny Monk, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Clara Turnage, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Hannah Grabenstein, The Associated Press
News (daily newspapers)
Bill Bowden, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Jill Bleed and Adrian Sainz, The Associated Press; Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press
Opinion (daily newspapers)
John Brummett, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Elizabeth West, Ville Platte Gazette; Philip Martin, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
News (magazine)
Johnny Carrol Sain, Arkansas Life magazine
Sports (magazine)
Johnny Carrol Sain, Arkansas Life magazine; Jon Beilue, Hooten’s Arkansas Football; Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for 501 Life magazine
Feature (magazine)
Heather Breed Steadham, Arkansas Life magazine; Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for AY magazine
Politics (magazine)
Jordan P. Hickey, Arkansas Life magazine; Jacque Walsh, Nathan Poppe and Whitley O’Conner, The Curbside Chronicle
Health (magazine)
Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for AY magazine; Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for Mental Health Guide
Arts and culture (magazine)
Seth Eli Barlow, Arkansas Life magazine; Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for Soiree magazine; Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for Do South magazine
News (non-daily newspapers)
Arielle Dreher, Jackson Free Press; Shawn Arraj, Rebecca Hennes, R. Hans Miller and Amelia Brust, Community Impact Newspaper; Hannah Zedaker, Community Impact Newspaper
Health (non-daily newspapers)
Linda Garner-Bunch, Three Rivers Edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for Arkansas Catholic; Tammy Keith, River Valley & Ozark Edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Feature (non-daily newspapers)
Danny Wicentowski, Riverfront Times; Rick Kron, Leader Newspaper; Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia, Richmond Daily News
Arts and culture (non-daily newspapers)
Amber Helsel, Jackson Free Press; Karen Craigo, The Marshfield Mail
Opinion (non-daily newspapers)
Anthony Mariani, Fort Worth Weekly; Donna Ladd, Jackson Free Press; Rick Kron, Leader Newspaper
Politics (non-daily newspapers)
Ashton Pittman, Donna Ladd and Amber Helsel, Jackson Free Press; Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia, Richmond Daily News; Jack Flagler, Emma Freer and Christopher Neely, Community Impact Newspaper
Sports (non-daily newspapers)
Dwain Hebda, Ya!Mule Wordsmiths for Arkansas Catholic; Wendy Miller, Three Rivers Edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Tammy Keith, River Valley & Ozark Edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Investigative reporting (non-daily newspapers)
Danny Wicentowski, Riverfront Times; Matt Dulin, Community Impact Newspaper; Beth Marshall, Community Impact Newspaper
Design portfolio (print/online)
Stan Denman, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Emma Devine, Arkansas Life magazine; Leanne Hunter, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Special section (print/online)
Sarah DeClerk, Emily Partridge and promotions team, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Sarah DeClerk, Wendy Miller and special sections team, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Sarah DeClerk and special sections team, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Photography portfolio (print/online)
Mitchell Pe Masilun, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Stanton Breidenthal, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Tommy Metthe, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Photo package/spread (print/online)
Mitchell Pe Masilun, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Photography (print/online)
Mitchell Pe Masilun, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Yvette Jagneaux, Ville Platte Gazette; Staton Breidenthal, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
News (radio/audio)
Johnathan Reaves, KASU Public Radio; Ann Kenda, Arkansas Public Media
Sports (radio/audio)
Brandon Tabor, KASU Public Radio; Ann Kenda, Arkansas Public Media; Chuck Livingston, David Wallace, Barry Groomes, Chad Hooten and Chris Hooten, Hooten’s Arkansas Football
Documentary/investigative reporting (radio/audio)
Ibby Caputo, Scene on Radio podcast of Duke’s Center for Documentary Studies
Arts and culture (radio/audio)
Jerome Weeks, KERA
Documentary/investigative reporting (television/video)
Caitlin Sinett, KY3 and KSPR
News (student – print/online)
Kimberely Blackburn, Delta Digital News Service; Keith Turner, Delta Digital News Service; Kayce Wilson, Delta Digital News Service
Feature (student – print/online)
Christine Miyawa, Delta Digital News Service; Miranda Reynolds, Delta Digital News Service; Destini Lattimore, Delta Digital News Service
Sports (student – print/online)
Marvin Davis, Delta Digital News Service
Photo package/spread (student)
Tristan Arquitt, Delta Digital News Service; Madison Gomez, Delta Digital News Service
Community service (special award)
Donna Ladd and Arielle Dreher, Jackson Free Press; Lisa Hammersly, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Robert McCord Freedom of Information Award (special award)
Donna Ladd, Ko Bragg, Taylor Langele and Marie Weidmayer, Jackson Free Press; Ron Wood and Greg Harton, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Outstanding New Journalist (special award)
Ashton Pittman, Jackson Free Press; Hannah Grabenstein, The Associated Press; Clara Turnage, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Finalists selected for Diamond Journalism Awards
Judges have chosen the finalists for the 2018 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 media markets in Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
The Diamond Journalist of the Year and Outstanding New Journalist, as well as the winners of the Community Service Award and Robert McCord Freedom of Information Award, will be announced at the awards banquet. Details about the event will be released at a later date.
Here is a list of finalists by category:
NEWS (daily newspapers)
Andy Davis, Lisa Hammersly and Doug Thompson, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Ryan Tarinelli and Ginny Monk, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
POLITICS (daily newspapers)
Hunter Field, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press; Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
SPORTS (daily newspapers)
Bob Holt, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Brooks Kubena, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Tom Murphy, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING (daily newspapers)
Jonathan Bullington, Richard Webster, Brett Duke, Emma Scott and Haley Correll, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune; Amanda Claire Curcio and Ginny Monk, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Lisa Hammersly, Doug Thompson, Ginny Monk and Dave Hughes, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
FEATURE (daily newspapers)
Ted Jackson, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune; Ginny Monk, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Emma Pettit, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
COMMENTARY (daily newspapers)
John Brummett, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press; Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
EDITORIALS (daily newspapers)
David Barham, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
NEWS (non-daily newspapers)
Benjamin Hardy, Arkansas Nonprofit News Network; Tammy Keith, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette River Valley and Ozark Edition; Jacob Rosenberg, Arkansas Times
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING (non-daily newspapers)
Sarah Campbell-Miller, Arkansas Business
FEATURE (non-daily newspapers)
Linda Garner-Bunch, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Tammy Keith, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette River Valley and Ozark Edition; Sam Pierce, Tri-Lakes Edition, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
COMMENTARY (non-daily newspapers)
Karen Craigo, The Marshfield Mail; Tammy Keith, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette River Valley and Ozark Edition; Rick Kron, Leader Publishing
EDITORIALS (non-daily newspapers)
Rick Kron, Leader Newspapers
FEATURE (magazine)
Dwain Hebda, AY Magazine; Dwain Hebda, SOIREE Magazine; Erica Sweeney, CityLab/The Atlantic
SPORTS (magazine)
Sarah DeClerk, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Dwain Hebda, Do South Magazine
PHOTOGRAPHY (all print)
Staton Breidenthal, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Tommy Metthe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
PHOTO PACKAGE/SPREAD (all print)
Mitchell Pe Masilun, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO (all print)
Staton Breidenthal, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Mitchell Pe Masilun, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Tommy Metthe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
LEISURE INTERESTS (all print)
Sean Clancy and John Sykes Jr., Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
NEWS (radio/podcast)
Bobby Ampezzan, Arkansas Public Media; Jacqueline Froelich, Arkansas Public Media; Karen Steward, KUAR Public Radio
DOCUMENTARY/INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING (radio/podcast)
Bobby Ampezzan, Arkansas Public Media; Heidi Sohl, Red Wolf Radio; Karen Steward, KUAR Public Radio
FEATURE (radio/podcast)
Michael Hibblen, KUAR Public Radio; Ann Kenda, Arkansas Public Media; Karen Steward, KUAR Public Radio
NEWS (television)
Kevin Kelly and Matt Thibault, FOX16 News — KLRT; Rodolfo Portillo, Univision Arkansas; Mariana Rivero, Univision Arkansas
DOCUMENTARY/INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING (television)
Caitlin Sinett, KY3
SPORTS (television)
Esdras Valdez, Univision Arkansas
FEATURE (television)
Alex Caprariello, KNWA/KFTA; Seth Cleveland, ASU-TV; Kevin Kelly and Matt Thibault, FOX16 News – KLRT
MULTIMEDIA (any platform)
Kimberely Blackburn, Tucker Crain, Miranda Reynolds, Katie Woodall and Christopher Lee, Delta Digital News Service; Emma Pettit, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Staff, The Associated Press
VIDEO (any platform)
Mitchell Pe Masilun, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
SLIDESHOW (any platform)
Brandon Riddle, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
SPECIALIZED SITE (any platform)
Gavin Lesnick, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Jeannie Roberts, Gavin Lesnick and Mitchell Pe Masilun, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Staff, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism
NEWS (student journalism)
Kimberely Blackburn, Delta Digital News Service; Ryan Bourgoin, The Forum – UA Little Rock; Christine Kemper, The Forum – UA Little Rock
SPORTS (student journalism)
Kolton Rutherford, The Forum – UA Little Rock
FEATURE (student journalism)
Kimberely Blackburn, Delta Digital News Service; Amber Quaid, Arkansas Tech University; Miranda Reynolds, Delta Digital News Service
OPINION (student journalism)
Amber Quaid, Arkansas Tech University
PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO (student journalism)
Amber Quaid, Arkansas Tech University
2018 Diamond Awards accepting entries
Attention professional and student journalists within 250 miles of Little Rock, it’s time to enter the Diamond Journalism Awards!
Sponsored by the Arkansas Pro Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists, the Diamond Journalism Awards recognize outstanding journalism by professionals and students from Arkansas and bordering media markets in Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
Eligible work must have been published or broadcast between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018.
Entries can be submitted starting April 20, 2018 and has been extended until 11 p.m. CDT, JULY 16, 2018.
Go here for rules and other information.
2017 Diamond Journalism Awards Winners List
The Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists presented its 2017 Diamond Journalism Awards on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Flying Saucer in Little Rock.
The awards recognize outstanding journalism by professionals and students from Arkansas and bordering media markets in Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. The awards honor work published or broadcast between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2017.
This year’s competition included 64 entries and was judged by journalists from the Florida Pro Chapter of SPJ.
Continue reading “2017 Diamond Journalism Awards Winners List”
2017 Diamond Journalism Awards Dinner
Winners will be named during the awards dinner at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the Flying Saucer. 323 President Clinton Ave., in Little Rock. Tickets are $10 per person, including heavy hors d’oeuvres and libations. Purchase in advance at
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZLSA4F7JNTSLQ
or at the door. Guest speaker to be announced.
