Category 1 - Best Editorial

First Place - Kentucky Kernel, Emily Hagedorn

Takes a difficult but needed stance. Supports peaceful discourse opportunities for all over limiting speech by the Ku Klux Klan. Editorials and free speech are both more important when they take an unpopular but principled stand.

Second Place - Kentucky Kernel, Andrew Martin

Makes its point quickly. Presents a well-reasoned argument.

Third Place - College Heights Herald, Kyle Hightower

Concise and conversational. Community college perspective probably in the quiet minority at universities, and this editorial adds to breadth of discourse.

Honorable Mention - Kentucky Kernel, Andrew Martin

Shows good research. Offers options.

Category 2 - Best Spot News Coverage

First Place - College Heights Herald, Jay Lively

This article was brief, profound and instantly grabbed my interest. Less is frequently best and this writer’s lead sentences proved that to be true.

Second Place - Kentucky Kernel, Rebecca Neal

This story was 90 percent of success because the writer truly tells the behind-the-scenes facts. She pulls the reader into the incident.

Third Place - Kentucky Kernel, Moria Bagley

Great on the spot journalism. However, next time mention the pets that perished in the lead paragraph. The quotes used were very chatty, and helped the story flow. Your description of the fire are written quite vividly! Great job!!

Category 3 - Best General News Story

First Place - College Heights Herald, Shawntaye Hopkins

Your style was quite original and included enough suspense for me to ponder, “Okay, so who created Big Red?” This was a perfect example of what Associated Press calls narrative storytelling.

Second Place - Kentucky Kernel, Rebecca Neal

Although John Edwards hails from my home state that is the reason I chose you for an award. Your quotes, format and information were stunning. You have a talent for enabling the reader to relive the event.

Third Place - Kentucky Kernel, Ryan Garrett

Your article was timely, and educational. Your lead was wonderful. Next time, cut out the “they said.” This was an important issue and you heightened awareness effectively about it.

Category 4 - Best Feature Story

First Place - Kentucky Kernel, Andrea Uhde

Very descriptive, interesting lead. Really hooks the reader. Very thorough story with all angles covered.

Second Place - College Heights Herald, Joanie Baker

Good example of finding an interesting subject and letting their voice be heard. Great lead. Would have liked to have seen a quote or two from someone who opposes their lifestyle/choices to be fair.

Third Place - Kentucky Kernel, Hilly Schiffer

Very funny. Good use of deserting opinion with professor. Quotes very brief, though, which is a plus and minus.

Category 5 - Best Column

First Place - Kentucky Kernel, Ben Roberts

Political science major obviously has firm grasp on his subject and a clear perspective. Is able to show his political leanings and be very critical of his favored candidates at same time.

Second Place - College Heights Herald, Kyle Hightower

Uses emotional, personal confessions to make points on societal issues, without getting “peachy.” Touching insights.

Third Place - College Heights Herald, Lindsay Sainlar

Very funny and fearless. Particularly liked Sex and the City column. Wise decision to talk abut explicit show in personally explicit terms.

Honorable Mention - Kentucky Kernel, Andrea Uhde, Sara Cunningham

Great concept for column that sometimes fall short on delivery. Should try to infuse more humor in potentially funny situations.

Category 6 - Best Sports Column

First Place - College Heights Herald, Danny Schoenbaechler

His columns are a bit drippy to read, but he had a definite style that infuse humor into clear opinion. Stood out among others in this category who were too generic.

Second Place - Kentucky Kernel, Tim Wiseman

Wins for Micah Jones column. Shows guts for standing by his opinion. Needs to develop style and personal voice. A bit “generic” at times.

Third Place - Kentucky Kernel, Steve Ivey

Liked humor and pop culture references. Don’t be afraid to be more critical, if need be.

Category 7 - Best Sports Story

First Place - College Heights Herald, Wes Watt

A college swimming coach gets a milestone victory. Good story with an outstanding lead.

Second Place - Kentucky Kernel, Tim Wiseman

Writer portrays the indescribable... a UK loss in second round of NCAA Tournament.

Third Place - Murray State News, Nathan Clinkenbeard

A college track program gets hit hard by budget cuts. Story describes the grim reality.

Honorable Mention - Kentucky Kernel, Jeff Patterson

Category 8 - Best Sports Feature Story

First Place - Kentucky Kernel, Lindsey Keith

Writer makes the most of Summit-DeMoss match-up.

Second Place - Kentucky Kernel, Adam Sichko

Catchy lead and well-presented story.

Third Place - Kentucky Kernel, Ben Roberts

Good writing skills brings the entry together well.

Honorable Mention - College Heights Herald, Danny Schoenbaechler

Honorable Mention - Kentucky Kernel, Jeff Patterson

Category 9 - Best Enterprise or Analytical Story

First Place - Kentucky Kernel, Andrea Uhde

I was fascinated by your story, plus the accompanying photographs. It is a topic seldom explored but vital to protect our environment. You provoke a sympathy from readers.

Second Place - Murray State News, Jessica Wade

Your story is enriching, plus I loved your staccato-style lead. Your challenge to champion those with disabilities deserves accolades.

Third Place - College Heights Herald, Shawntaye Hopkins

This was a very professional depiction describing a battle of the budget.

Category 10 - Best Investigative Story or Series

First Place - Kentucky Kernel, Dariush Shafa, Sara Wilmoth, Matt Towner

Good idea that was well researched, well-reported and made a difference. Nice work.

Second Place - Kentucky Kernel, Michael Wynn

Timely topic, thoughtfully and fairly addressed. Good information and good use of quotes. However, paraphrasing might have worked better in spots and quotes rather than paraphrasing for others.

Third Place - Kentucky Kernel, Jason McAlister

Good self investigation. Good, sound, straightforward reporting of the issue.

Category 11 - Best On-Going/Extended Coverage Story

First Place - Kentucky Kernel, Staff

Good look at an issue that had a real impact on students, whether smokers or nonsmokers. Not only followed the court battle, but what it meant for businesses.

Second Place - College Heights Herald, Ashlee Clark, Beth Wilberding

Good use of open records laws to obtain the real details about the use of student government money.

Third Place - Kentucky Kernel, Amanda Duckworth, Danielle Komis, Dariush Shafa

This story moved from a page 3 story to page one because of the reporting and telling us what it really meant. It would have been easy to let the story drop, but instead the issue got played out.

Category 12 - Best Business/Agribusiness Story

First Place - Kentucky Kernel, Ashley Graves

Great profile on interesting character. Good job of getting both sides of story.

Second Place - Murray State News, Denise Brazzell,

Moving story. Puts human face on controversial subject.

Third Place - Kentucky Kernel, Leah Rowland

Good angle on hot-button topic. Nice range of opinions.

Category 13 - Best Headline

First Place - College Heights Herald, Danny Schoenbaechler

Nicely done. This was actually second to no one. First-rate.

Second Place - Kentucky Kernel, Crystal Little

Like the playfulness of it. Not a serious column, but a serious headline. Perfect.

Third Place - College Heights Herald, Joe Lord

Fits story with touch of sentimentality.

Category 14 - Best Spot News Picture

First Place - Kentucky Kernel, John Foster

Nice angle shooting through the glass.

Second Place - Kentucky Kernel, Jonathan Palmer

Category 15 - Best General News Picture

First Place - College Heights Herald, Edward Linsmier

Good combination of composition and technique to create a strong mood.

Second Place - Kentucky Kernel, Jonathan Palmer

Nice quiet moment, would have been stronger with a face.

Third Place - Kentucky Kernel, Brad Wilder

Unusual crop strengthens an otherwise mundane photo.

Category 16 - Best Feature Picture

First Place - College Heights Herald, Fielder Williams Strain

Peak moment as rodeo clown doesn’t quite escape the bull. Tight framing, peak action.

Second Place - Kentucky Kernel, Jonathan Palmer

High emotion of acceptance into a sorority. Liked the loose framing to show the context of the moment.

Third Place - College Heights Herald, Brian Wagner

Excellent seeing and composition on bowling alley repairman. Could have shot a bit tighter. (I almost didn’t see the feet.)

Category 17 - Best Picture Essay (Spot, General or Feature)

First Place - College Heights Herald, Ryan Long

Strong inside dominant photo, nice variety from a well-documented event. Lead photo on A1 hurts overall package.

Second Place - Kentucky Kernel, Jonathan Palmer

Strong 3-picture package from a daily assignment.

Category 18 - Best Sports Picture

First Place - Kentucky Kernel, John Foster

Great moment, terrible play!! We were appalled that it ran that small.

Second Place - College Heights Herald, Chet White

Clean image with beautiful light. Nice different angle from a volleyball game.

Third Place - Kentucky Kernel, John Foster

Great peak action. Lots of layers.

Honorable Mention - Kentucky Kernel, Jonathan Palmer

Nice angle. We wish the white area was cropped out.

Category 19 - Best Sports Picture Essay

First Place - College Heights Herald, Chet White

Excellent job of getting close to the subject. Nice variety of images.

Category 20 - Special Sections

First Place - College Heights Herald, Brandy Warren, Matt Rountree

Tremendous section. Plethora of information and insight, both fun and serious. Great use of color and photos. Loved the package.

Second Place - Kentucky Kernel, Staff

Great cover and loved the full page. Black and white player profiles. Excellent use of full page spread.

Third Place - Murray State News, Erin Richards

Great idea, good execution.

Category 21 - Best Graphic

First Place - Kentucky Kernel, Cassie Stokes

Nothing else in category even close to this winner.

Second Place - Kentucky Kernel, Steve Ivey

Like the cutouts from opposite sides of page emphasizing matchup.

Third Place - College Heights Herald, Danny Schoenbaechler

Category 22 - Best Sports Page/Section

First Place - Kentucky Kernel, Staff

Nice color photos. Good variety of sports and viewpoints. Solid writing, photographs and layout.

Second Place - Murray State News, Nathan Clinkenbeard

Good work. Like the front page cutout.

Third Place - College Heights Herald, Keith Farmer

Not sold on idea of front page advertisement, but delivery of editorial material was attractive and entertaining.

Category 23 - Best Business/Agribusiness Page

First Place - Kentucky Kernel, Staff

Nice big picture, good accompanying story.

Second Place - Eastern Progress, Tracy Haney, Kasey Doyer

Like “Did you Know?” touch with story for extra illustration on gray layout.

Category 24 - Best Lifestyle Page

First Place - Murray State News, Severo Avila

Nudity on front page! Always why taking chances pays off. Good use of full-page spreads.

Second Place - College Heights Herald, Jessica Robertson, Joanie Baker

Great photos. They tell story alone.

Third Place - Kentucky Kernel, Staff

Good use of color. Diverse content.

Category 25 - Best Editorial Page

First Place - College Heights Herald, Mai Hoang

Great layout. Liked the use of sidebars and information boxes. People Poll and Tops and Bottoms are nice touches.

Second Place - Murray State News, Elizabeth Cawein

Liked the “What Do You Think” box. Could squeeze more content on page with smaller fonts.

Category 26 - Best Front Page

First Place - College Heights Herald, Justin Fowler, Lauren Clifton, Staff

Excellent writing and reporting, nice colorful photos. Good use of white space. Gives clean airy feel. Important, newsworthy articles given appropriate space. Like the use and look of drop head to add info. Appears to be well edited. Not fond of thin banner.

Second Place - Kentucky Kernel, Spring Staff

Good crisp writing and nice clean, easy-to-follow layout makes this entry. Like the 3-article approach with large helpful graphic and color. Nice design but would revamp banner.

Third Place - Murray State News, Vanessa Childers, Staff

Headlines were the best in this category, informative, appropriate size. Photo and design of Morgan Hicks is excellent. Like finishing a story or two on the front. Good, consistent rounded layout. Reporting, for the most part was good.

Honorable Mention - Kentucky Kernel, Fall Staff

I prefer the banner of the fall paper. The layout is good and clean. I liked the design of the spring paper better. News reporting is solid, photos good

© Kentucky Press Association