2004 Awards of Excellence
Awarded June 11, 2004 at the Millennium Hotel in Cincinnati

> Back to banquet coverage

Note: Judge's comments, when available, are listed below the winner.

Gerald White Memorial Prize

Russell Carollo and Mei-Ling Hopgood

Dayton Daily News

Mission of Sacrifice – Peace Corps Volunteers Face Injury, Death in Foreign Lands

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Wow! The package series did an excellent job illustrating the real dangers to being a Peace Corps volunteer and what the agency was doing to try and hide that information. It’s a relief to see a newspaper go to the ends of the earth to get the story – going to other countries to report first hand what was going on, fighting in federal court for the public records, reaching out to the volunteers and families of Peace Corps volunteers. A well-written story is often reflective of superb reporting. The paper’s readers, as well as those elsewhere who read the story, are better off for the project.”

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Camilla Warrick Award for Public Service

Lisa A. Bernard

JournalNews

City Dams Claiming Lives

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “These stories are evidence of the power the media has in driving change, unfortunately in this case as the result of such tragedies. Good job sticking with the story, and bringing the dam problem to light.”

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Deadline/Spot News

1^st

Staff

The Cincinnati Post

Deadly Rampage

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “The Post’s report was definitive deadline journalism done well by the entire staff. Good accurate work on a very short deadline.”

2^nd

Staff

JournalNews

Workplace Shooting Leaves Two Dead

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “A very thorough job by the entire newsroom. The range of stories, graphics and photos reflect a well-organized newsroom that went the extra step in getting the comprehensive story. Well done!”

(No other winners.)

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Deadline/Spot News Story - Non-Daily

(No Awards Issued.)

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Enterprise/Database Reporting – Daily

1^st

Debra Jasper and Spencer Hunt

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Extreme Choices

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Strong reporting across the spectrum of subjects and sources that pose a complicated, spidery topic. Good flow writing that is paced evenly so the reader can follow along without being overwhelmed. Very good vignettes and use of quotes.”

2^nd

Ken Alltucker,

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Home Schemes/Broken Dreams

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “The package of stories moves nicely from anecdotal situations to the showing how widespread the problem has become and the underlying reasons for it. A very nice dissection of an issue that every homeowner in the newspaper’s circulation area should know about. Having multiple stories helps the reader see each facet of the big picture more clearly.”

3^rd

James Pilcher

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Collision Course: Brent Spence Bridge

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Good idea, crammed with facts, excellent writing and presentation. But not powerful enough to beat out the two other entries.”

Honorable Mention

James McNair

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Wanted: Innovation

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Enterprise/Database Reporting – Non-Daily

1^st

Leslie Blade

CityBeat

Protection Racket

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “This story is what good journalism is all about: exposing corruption to make the government accountable. Good digging. Excellent reporting and writing. Your story made a difference.”

2^nd

Dan Monk and Lucy May

Business Courier

Beautiful Chaos: Rebuilding Over-the-Rhine

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Great analysis piece that doesn’t get bogged down in numbers. There’s plenty of people quoted to tell the story about the redevelopment. An excellent read!”

3^rd

Melissa Fowler and Brian Womack

Dayton Business Journal

Left Out

Honorable Mention

Andrea Tortora

Business Courier

Money, Time Tick Away for CPS

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Beat Reporting – Daily

1^st

Tim Bonfield

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Medical Issues

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Shows a very deft touch in combining solid hard-news reporting and beat coverage with writing that clearly and engagingly explains potentially dry issues in a way that captures the imagination.”

2^nd

James Pilcher

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Transportation

3^rd

Dan Horn

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Criminal Justice

Honorable Mention

Jennifer Edwards

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Southeastern Butler County

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Beat Reporting – Non-Daily

1^st

Andrea Tortora

Business Courier

Health Care Coverage

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Strong basic beat coverage for close readers of a specialized publication that ventures beyond daily developments to uncover new angles that can appeal to the general reader, as well.”

2^nd

Lisa Biank Fasig

Business Courier

Selection of Work

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “This was a close call. Ms. Fasig has a terrific touch for the feature story, but in a beat-reporting category, I would have liked to have seen more evidence of an eye for more comprehensive beat coverage and source development.”

3^rd

Lucy May

Business Courier

Airlines

(No Honorable Mention Awarded)

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Series – Daily

1^st

Margo Rutledge Kissell

Dayton Daily News

One Day Closer to Home

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Excellent work! It was insightful and timely. It was written well, especially the story-telling ending of the first installment. It’s relevant more than six months later.”

2^nd

Barry Horstman, Kevin Osborne, Greg Paeth and Roy Wood

The Cincinnati Post

Downtown Series

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Comprehensive package.”

3^rd

Bob Batz

Dayton Daily News

Fort Comfort

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Series – Non-Daily

1^st

Liz Carey

The Community Press

Haunted Northern Kentucky

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Great idea for a Halloween story package! Good research, vivid descriptions, great job!”

2^nd

Heidi Fallon

The Community Press

Remembering Jake

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Poignant recollections. I felt like I was sitting in on the interview. Good descriptions and details. A heartfelt piece.”

(no others awarded)

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Continuing Coverage – Daily

1^st

Dale Dempsey and Ken McCall

Dayton Daily News

NCR Pollution

2^nd

Barry Horstman, Jeanne Houck and Kimball Perry

The Cincinnati Post

Nathaniel Jones Case

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Compelling from start to finish. Reporters kept up with breaking events throughout the cycle, put a face to the victim and put community concern in perspective.”

3^rd

Laura A. Bischoff

Dayton Daily News

Pension Funds

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Careful analysis. Service to readers. Well written.”

Honorable Mention

Paul A. Long

The Kentucky Post

Ronald Epling

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Nicely assembled and written.”

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Continuing Coverage – Non-Daily

1^st

Leslie Blade

CityBeat

Bloody Shoes & Snitches

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Compelling story! Great coverage through Jerome Campbell’s appeals process with all sides presented.”

2^nd

Barbara Beckwith

St. Anthony Messenger

Crisis in the Church

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Thorough coverage of an issue that’s been a hot topic around the nation. Read very well.”

3rd

Andrea Tortora

Business Courier

Health Care

Honorable Mention

Brian Womack and Kristen Wicker

Dayton Business Journal

MCSi Coverage

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Consumer Coverage – Daily

1^st

Debra Jasper and Spencer Hunt

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Money’s Gone

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Excellent analysis and report on misspent tax dollars.”

2^nd

Mara Lee

Dayton Daily News

OxyContin Dependency Hard to Stop

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Interesting story on a little-known problem.”

3^rd

Cindi Andrews

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Budget Backs Up Sewer Fixes

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Consumer Coverage – Non-Daily

1^st

Andrea Tortora

Business Courier

Heart Dividend

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “An excellent examination of an important health care issue.”

2^nd

Tom O’Neill and Kathleen Doane

Cincinnati Magazine

Health Care: Critical Condition

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “An ambitious look at a difficult issue. Especially liked the doctor survey list.”

3^rd

Maria Rogers

CityBeat

Sexual Healing

Honorable Mention

Felix Winternitz

CityBeat

Chic on the Cheap

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Sports Coverage – Daily

1^st

Mark Curnutte

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Marvin Lewis

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Outstanding. As fine a sports profile as you’ll find anywhere. Reporting is top-notch: vivid detail, nice anecdotal lead. Writing is crisp and packs a punch. A quick read. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ll probably never meet Marvin Lewis, but thanks to this fine piece, I feel I already have. Far and away the best piece in this category.”

2^nd

Tom Groeschen

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Sports Finds Its Stars Younger and Younger

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Well-reported, cleanly written. Interesting and timely topic. Chart added a nice touch. Wide appeal.”

3^rd

Michael Clark

The Cincinnati Enquirer

College Decision: A Football Star is Torn

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Sports Coverage – Non-Daily

1^st

Bill Peterson

CityBeat

Reds Coverage

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Well-researched; a thorough account of how the Reds got to where they are; a non-contender in a season that began with expectations. Enjoyed the lead. This piece has order and authority. Could have used more player/coach comments. Well done, overall.”

 (No other awards issued)

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Sports Feature – Daily

1^st

Tom Archdeacon

Dayton Daily News

Jake Porter

2^nd

Michael Clark

The Cincinnati Enquirer

College Decision: A Football Star is Torn

3^rd

Mark Curnutte

The Cincinnati Enquirer

An Opening Day Love Letter from a Son to His Father

Honorable Mention

Tom Groeschen

The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Latest in a Long Line

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Sports Feature – Non-Daily

1^st

Jack Heffron

Cincinnati Magazine

A Brand New Ball Game

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “A solid look at the game of baseball and the parks, and what it means to local people. Writer was able to take a lot of facts, talk to a number of people and still weave an interesting article.”

2^nd

Jimmy Dinsmore

The Community Press

Back to Back

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “A lot of work went into this and the turnaround time was quick. What was created was a package that players and fans will want to hold onto for years to come.”

3^rd

Chuck Sambuchino

The Community Press

The Road to Athens

Honorable Mention

Melanie Laughman

The Community Press

Great American Workers

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Opinion Writing – Daily

(No Awards Issued)

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Opinion Writing – Non-Daily

1^st

Lisa Morawski

Dayton Business Journal

Editorials

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Morawski’s editorial positions are strengthened by making good use of facts and details.”

2^nd

John Fox

CityBeat

Editorials

3^rd

Alex Sator

Dayton City Paper

Editorials

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Column Writing – Daily

1^st

Tom Archdeacon

Dayton Daily News

Collection of Work

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “The length of Tom’s columns must scare off some readers, but anyone who forges ahead is bound to become a fan of Archdeacon and the everyday people he writes about.”

2^nd

Mary McCarty

Dayton Daily News

Collection of Work

3^rd

Courtney Kinney

The Kentucky Post

Collection of Work

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Column Writing – Non-Daily

1^st

Kathy Y. Wilson

CityBeat

Your Negro Tour Guide

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Wilson employs a clearly identifiable and authoritative voice that’s strengthened by original reporting.”

2^nd

Linda Vaccariello

Cincinnati Magazine

Two Columns

3^rd

Steve Watkins

Business Courier

Investing Column

Honorable Mention

Karen Bells

Business Courier

Selection of Columns

Honorable Mention

Kathleen Doane

Cincinnati Magazine

Selection of Columns

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Short Story

1^st

Peggy Kreimer

The Kentucky Post

Three Stories

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Every young reporter should read stories like these to learn the art of brevity. Kreimer’s pieces are full of punch, without leaving out the important details that make the stories worth telling.”

2^nd

William A. Weathers

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Whatever Happened to?

3^rd

Mike Rutledge

The Cincinnati Post

Purple Passion: Newport’s New Bridge

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Personality Profile – Daily

1^st

Dan Horn

The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Truth Set Him Free; Freedom Broke His Heart

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Horn tells a gripping, sad story that holds the reader to the end.”

2^nd

Peggy Kreimer

The Kentucky Post

Gerry Deters

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Smooth, seamless writing gives readers insight into a complex man in a complicated situation.”

3^rd

Mary McCarty

Dayton Daily News

Heartfelt Life

Honorable Mention

John Johnston

The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Defense Finally Rests

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Personality Profile – Non-Daily

1^st

Tom O’Neill

Cincinnati Magazine

Come Back Kid

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “An inspiring, well-written story with plenty of background and wonderful tidbits tucked inside.”

2^nd

Lew Moores

CityBeat

Missing Mac

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Moores succinctly unravels a complex story.”

3^rd

Liz Carey

The Community Press

Epling Mistress Paints a Different Picture

Honorable Mention

John Fox

CityBeat

A Real Stand Up Guy

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Long News Feature

1^st

Dan Horn

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Going Home

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “In clear, crisp and captivating words, this feature succeeds in taking the reader into another world.”

2^nd

Cathy Mong

Dayton Daily News

A Deadly Raid

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: The reporter uses a feature style to animate and illuminate an important report.”

3^rd

Jason Fagone and Linda Vaccariello

Cincinnati Magazine

Charlie’s Infinite Sadness

Honorable Mention

Barry Horstman

The Cincinnati Post

Anatomy of a Surprise Win

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Short News Feature – Daily

1^st

David Wecker

The Cincinnati Post

17-Year Cicadas: Invasion of Brood X

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “We’re glad not to live there. We still get the willies when we think of the bulging red eyes; 5 billion pairs of them. The writer’s mole hunter was a great vehicle to tell the story of an otherwise (yawning) scientific story about a bug.”

2^nd

Sharon Coolidge

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Man Says Pot Was Medicine

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Well done. It was a fast, informative read that reflects good reporting and tight writing.”

3^rd

Mary McCarty

Dayton Daily News

Marvel Supplants Fear as Victim Defies Death

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “A remarkable story that we’re certain was read throughout the community. These stories need to be told and this one was told well.”

Honorable Mention

Shelly Whitehead

The Kentucky Post

Gator

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Short News Feature – Non-Daily

1^st

Andrea Tortora

Business Courier

A Personal Send-Off

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Great job of taking a sensitive subject and turning it into an interesting read.”

2^nd

Debbie Kennedy

The Community Recorder

“Baby Jesse’ Case Ends With Mother’s Arrest

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Good job of bringing closure to the story.”

3^rd

Richard Curtis

Business Courier

The Wright Price

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Lifestyle Feature

1^st

Mary Stagaman and Hannah Agran

Cincinnati Magazine

Festival Fare

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “This entry gives the reader an opportunity to visualize the tastes and smells of the foods featured. Good, fresh-sounding, friendly prose.”

2^nd

Karen Bells

Business Courier

Novice Guitar Slingers

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Great use of quotes. Nice approach, using 30-50 somethings in this feature.”

3^rd

John Johnston

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Junk Man Salvages a Family

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “You tug on the heart strings, but also present a profile on someone with an unusual job. Great combo.”

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Trend Reporting

1^st

Dan Monk and Lucy May

Business Courier

Beautiful Chaos

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Good job uncovering who was behind the “new energy” of the neighborhood. And, good job telling why the developers were drawn into the area. Nice graphics. A lot of work went into this piece.”

2^nd

Nichelle Bolden, Stephanie Dunlap, Gregory Flannery, April Martin and Elizabeth Wu

CityBeat

Homeless for the Holidays

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Excellent team coverage of a difficult-to-report subject. April Martin took the extra step of actually spending the night in a shelter – beyond the call of duty. Also, nice first-hand accounts of people on the street.”

3^rd

Linda Vaccariello

Cincinnati Magazine

Life Sentence

Honorable Mention

Tim Bonfield

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Doctor Will See You Now – for $1,500

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Arts and Entertainment Feature

1^st

Linda Vaccariello

Cincinnati Magazine

Rough Draft

2^nd

John Johnston

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Renegade Players Take a Bow

3^rd

Kevin Britton, Mildred Fallen, April Martin,

Dani McClain and Kathy Y. Wilson

CityBeat

One Day It’ll All Make Sense

Honorable Mention

Steve Ramos

CityBeat

The Devil in David Mack

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Arts/Entertainment Criticism

1^st

Steve Ramos

CityBeat

Film Reviews

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Gritty writing that’s informative and interesting without droning on too long.”

2^nd

Tom McElfresh

CityBeat

Theater Reviews

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Concise opinions that also give a balanced look to readers, which is unusual for many reviewers.”

3^rd

Mary Ellyn Hutton

The Cincinnati Post

Three Reviews

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Business Coverage

1^st

Greg Paeth

The Cincinnati Post

Collection of Work

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Paeth’s combination of three deeply-reported, on-the-street articles about tough neighborhoods seeking economic recovery, along with insightful articles on the dispute between private property owners and municipalities over eminent domain and on a major Cincinnati employer’s outsourcing jobs oversees, give him the edge over competing entries.”

2^nd

Cliff Peale

The Cincinnati Enquirer

P&G’s Russian Frontier

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Peale’s four-day series on Procter & Gamble Co.’s expansion into Russia and Europe was deeply researched and contained a ton of useful information about the company. However, I felt the series gave a sense of missed opportunity, in that the vast majority of sources for the series were P&G officials or Russian employees, or appeared to be Russian sources provided to the reporter through P&G marketing research. I was torn, but decided to give Peale second place, for this reason.”

3^rd

Jaclyn Giovis

JournalNews

Collection of Work

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Tough stories on complicated topics, done well and with an eye to what the readers will want to know.”

Honorable Mention

Lisa Biank Fasig

Business Courier

Collection of Work

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Clear, concise and well-written stories on topics with broad appeal.”

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Education Coverage

1^st

Jennifer Mrozowski

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Collection of Work

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Ms. Mrozowski did an outstanding job researching a dry subject. She lent voice and context to an important matter.”

2^nd

Crystal Harden

The Cincinnati Post

Collection of Work

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “A solid body of work that reflects an understanding of the material, and a nice manner in relaying it to readers.”

3^rd

Doug Trapp

CityBeat

I’m the Kind of Guy

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “A very human portrait with lots of great detail.”

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Radio Spot News

1^st

Ann Thompson

WVXU

Deadly Fire in the Gaslight District

2^nd

Mark Heyne

WVXU

Trucking Company Shooting Spree

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Radio Long Feature

Steve Hirschberg

WVXU

MLK Day Celebration

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Excellent reporting.”

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News or Feature Headline

1^st

Brian Glass

JournalNews

…One Notion, Under Scrutiny

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Didn’t even need to read the story. Clever use of pledge phraseology in four-word headline.”

2^nd

Phil Fisher

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Short Workweek Wearies French

With More Time,

Why Aren’t They

Less Miserable?

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Clever taking French play and using English spelling to tell the story. Would have liked to have seen ‘less miserable’ in main headline.”

3^rd

Phil Fisher

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Live Or Let Die: A Choice of Sorrows

Honorable Mention

Matthew Hall

VM+SD Magazine

Taking Shopping to a New Level

Honorable Mention

Karen Bells

Business Courier

Blade Runner

Cintas Jumps into Newly Hot Corporate Shredding Market

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Sports Headline

1^st

Sue Lancaster

The Cincinnati Enquirer

In a N.Y. Minute – or Two

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Headline is brief, but makes a couple of points about the story. Good use of limited headline space.”

2^nd

Sue Lancaster

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Sosa Uncorks One

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Perfect headline that ties in Sosa’s recent corked bat problems.”

3^rd

Theodore Cox

JournalNews

Johnson & Johnson

No more tears for Cincinnati Bengal Fans

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Page One Layout

1^st

Kristin Davenport

Business Courier

Beautiful Chaos

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Nice use of art on OTR package. Effective use of white space.”

2^nd

Sean Hughes

CityBeat

The Devil in David Mack

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Good use of type and art to tie whole package together. Also thought color choices were effective.”

3^rd

Staff

The Cincinnati Post

Saddam

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Page Design

1^st

Alexis Larsen

Dayton Daily News

Reggae Roots

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Well-executed page. Organized a ton of information in an attractive manner. Illustration, typography and color are well-matched and blended.”

2^nd

Ron Huff

The Cincinnati Enquirer

100 Years of Flight

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Good use of illustration that spans century of events. Spot color is appropriate and attractive. Use of white space a good effect on the page.”

3^rd

Ted Pitts

Dayton Daily News

Great Planes: C-47

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Helpful learning tool, well illustrated and organized.”

Honorable Mention

Ron Huff

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Six Degrees of Marvin Lewis

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Interesting package of information, fairly organized for a page with lots of information to convey. Clever use of photos.”

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Informational Graphic

1^st

Gail Koch and Randy Mazzola

The Cincinnati Enquirer

100 Years of Flight

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “This was a pretty spread, chock full of informative tidbits. The graphic that really put it over the top was the distance comparison between the flight of the Wright Brothers’ plane and the length of a 747. Great job.”

2^nd

Randy Mazzola and Charles Jones

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Great American Ball Park

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “A ballpark opening wouldn’t be official without the obligatory info graphic to explain all of its cool new features. This one does the park justice with good design and fun information.”

3^rd

John Hancock

Dayton Daily News

Columbia: Fatal Mission

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “This wasn’t the prettiest graphic of the bunch, but it does a handy job of telling the story at hand.”

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Photo Illustration

1^st

Ted Pitts

Dayton Daily News

Heartburn

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Innovative use of art to illustrate the story.”

2^nd

Randy Mazzola

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Built to Last

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Nice concept and execution.”

3^rd

Randy Palmer

Dayton Daily News

Aarrrh Ya Ready for the Pirates?

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Art Illustration

1^st