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2013 NDNA Better Newspaper Contest Award Winners

Special Awards NIE Newspaper of the Year

NIE Newspaper of the Year Grand Forks Herald Sue Lindlauf Judge’s Comments: The Herald's program is comprehensive and continuing, providing regular features and lesson plans. The use of blogs and Twitter are good examples of how newspapers are integrating social and electronic media to enhance the role of print.

NIE Teacher of the Year NIE Teacher of the Year Grand Forks Herald Laura Knox, Viking School - Grand Forks, ND (Nominated by Sue Lindlauf of the Grand Forks Herald) Judge’s Comments: Laura Knox is to be commended for understanding how newspapers can be lifelong learning tools for engaged Americans. Bringing this message to students as young a kindergarten age, along with the creative Awesome Authors component, makes it clear she cares

Rookie Reporter of the Year Rookie Reporter of the Year

Fargo, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead Kyle Potter

Judge’s Comments: Potter is a thorough researcher with strong enterprise ability. His projects show an ability to pour through pages and pages of documents, and then to synthesize the material and boil it down into readable reports, often with clever turns of phrases.

High School Reporter of the Year

High School Reporter of the Year Bismarck Tribune Lexi Jorgenson Judge’s Comments: Lexi Jorgenson writes at a level that belies her youth. The quality of her stories exceeds that of many reporters with more experience. On top of that, her participation in school and community activities makes her a clear choice as a top community newspaper reporter.

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Community Service Community Service Grand Forks Herald Santa Claus Girls/Stadstad Classic Grand Forks Herald Staff Judge’s Comments: This package describes a long and continuing commitment on the part of the newspaper and its staff to help community members in need. A great project, well reported, with clear impact.

First Amendment First Amendment Fargo, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead Various Forum staff Judge’s Comments: The Forum was relentless in its effort to expose willful and pervasive efforts to hide public higher education information from the public. Its coverage demonstrates serious and necessary attention to an out-of-control state entity. Very good work.

General Excellence 1-1,000 > > > General Excellence Third Place

New Town News Second Place Parshall, Mountrail County Record First Place Center Republican 1st Place Comments: Very attractive newspaper with good use of photos and graphics. Strong education coverage. Would be even better with a well-marked, locally written editorial. Overall, a great newspaper for a small market.

1,001-1,999 > > > General Excellence Third Place Tioga Tribune Second Place Hillsboro Banner First Place Hazen Star 1st Place Comments: Strong, thorough coverage of local issues and events. The use of info boxes adds enormously to reader value. Very creative use of photographs and graphics. But most importantly, a wide range of good information for your community.

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2,000 or more > > > General Excellence Third Place Crosby, The Journal Second Place Grafton, Walsh County Record First Place Watford City, McKenzie County Farmer 1st Place Comments: Clean. Good headline writing. Photos and advertising both jump off the page. 12,000 or less > > > General Excellence Third Place Dickinson Press Second Place Williston Herald First Place Jamestown Sun 1st Place Comments: This entry had the total package. It was very well designed with a strong, clean presentation throughout the entries. The stories are well displayed with a balance of news, features, local and national. The photography was a clear winner for this entry.

12,001 or more > > > General Excellence Third Place Grand Forks Herald Second Place Bismarck Tribune First Place Fargo, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead 1st Place Comments: This entry is the clear winner. Overall product - layout, writing, photography, story choice and presentation - is by far the best in this category.

Sweepstakes

1-1,000 > > > Sweepstakes Winner! Velva Area Voice (Score: 1,875: 11 first places, 9 second places, & 4 fourth places)

1,001-1,999 > > > Sweepstakes Winner! Hillsboro Banner (Score: 4,900: 25 first places, 19 second places, 15 third places, & 4 fourth places)

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2,000 or more > > > Sweepstakes Winner! Grafton, Walsh County Record (Score: 4,475: 17 first places, 22 second places, 19 third places, & 10 fourth places)

12,000 or less > > > Sweepstakes Winner! Dickinson Press (Score: 4,075: 15 first places, 17 second places, 18 third places, & 14 fourth places)

12,001 or more > > > Sweepstakes Winner! Fargo, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead (Score: 5,800: 28 first places, 21 second places, 21 third places, & 12 fourth places)

Congrats to all the contest winners!

Next year: 129th Annual Convention

(in conjunction with the South Dakota Newspaper Association) May 14 – 16, 2015 • Ramkota Hotel • Bismarck, ND