BOCA RATON — The Miami Herald and the South Florida Sun Sentinel split top honors in the Florida Press Club’s 2019 Excellence in Journalism Competition Saturday night for stories that shook the entire nation over the past year.
Papers around the state were represented Saturday at the annual event honoring the best in Florida journalism during the 2018-19 year. The gala was held at the Waterstone Resort & Marina, featuring special guest John Grogan, a former Sun Sentinel reporter and international bestselling author,
The Sun Sentinel was awarded the club’s Frances DeVore Award for Public Service for “Parkland,” its coverage of the aftermath of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that left 17 people dead and 17 people injured. A nationwide discussion of gun control, legislative changes and a sheriff’s dismissal followed the paper’s chronicle of events.
The Miami Herald’s “Perversion of Justice” won the club’s Lucy Morgan Award for In-Depth Reporting. That series detailed how a Palm Beach billionaire was lightly punished for the sexual abuse and trafficking of young girls. In the wake of reporting by Julie K. Brown and Emily Michot, the deal that allowed Jeffrey Epstein to serve only nights in prison was ruled illegal and the prosecutor who arranged left his cabinet post with the Trump administration. New charges were filed against Epstein and he committed suicide in jail.
For nearly 70 years, the Florida Press Club, originally called the Florida Women’s Press Club, has been honoring the best in Florida journalism — stories, photography and layout. More recently, digital presentation has been added to the work honored.
Illustration — Artist Illustration
Class A-B
- Colin Smith, The Villages Daily Sun
- Cindy Lane, Anna Maria Island Sun
Class C
- Hilda Bevan, South Florida Business Journal
- Victoria Prichard, Jim Carchidi, Orlando Business Journal
Illustration – Infographic Presentation
Class A-C
- Victoria Prichard, Orlando Business Journal
- Adam Rogers, Ryan Gregg, The Villages Daily Sun
- Lillian Mayor, South Florida Business Journal
Layout – Feature Page Design
Class A-B
- Adam Rogers, The Villages Daily Sun
- Adam Rogers, The Villages Daily Sun
- Bonita Burton, Adam Rogers, The Villages Daily Sun
Class C
- Scott Simmons, Jerry Lower, Mary Thurwachter, Tim Stepien, The Coastal Star
- Victoria Prichard, Jim Carchidi, Orlando Business Journal
- Joe DeLeon, Elevate Magazine
Layout — Front Page Design
Class A-B
- Colin Smith, The Villages Daily Sun
- Adam Rogers, The Villages Daily Sun
- Adam Rogers, The Villages Daily Sun
Class C
- Joe DeLeon, Elevate Magazine
- Jim Carchidi, Victoria Prichard, Orlando Business Journal
- Lillian Mayor, South Florida Business Journal
Layout – Sports
Class A-C
- Kat Duncan, Nick Feely, Adam Rogers, The Villages Daily Sun
Online – Independent Blog
- Sharon Aron Baron, Talk Media
- Sharon Aron Baron, Talk Media
- Sharon Aron Baron, Talk Media
Online — Multimedia Package
Class A-C
- John Torres, Florida Today
- Mark Woods, Florida Times-Union
- Jim Carchidi, Orlando Business Journal
Online – News Site
Class A-C
- Staff, South Florida Business Journal
- Cindy Lane, Kristin Swain, Joe Hendricks, Tom Vaught, Anna Maria Island Sun
- Staff, Orlando Business Journal
Photography – Breaking News
Class A-C
- Tiffany Tompkins, Bradenton Herald
- Patti Blake, The News Herald
- David Tucker, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Photography — Feature Photo Essay
Class A
- Erin Williams, The Villages Daily Sun
- George Horsford, The Villages Daily Sun
- Max Gersh, The Villages Daily Sun
Class B
- Joshua Boucher, The News Herald
- Patti Blake,The News Herald
- Bruce Ackerman, Ocala Star-Banner
Class C
- Jock Fistick, South Florida Business Journal
- Conan Segrest, Elevate Magazine
- Jim Carchidi, Richard Bilbao, Orlando Business Journal
Photography – Features
Class A
- Michael Johnson, The Villages Daily Sun
- Cindy Skop, The Villages Daily Sun
- George Horsford, The Villages Daily Sun
Class B
- Patti Blake, The News Herald
- Nigel Cook, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Joshua Boucher, The News Herald
Class C
- Jock Fistick, South Florida Business Journal
- Conan Segrest, Elevate Magazine
Photography – General
Class A-C
- Cindy Skop, The Villages Daily Sun
- Patti Blake, The News Herald
- Bruce Ackerman, Ocala Star-Banner
Photography — Photo Illustration
Class A-C
- Jim Carchidi, Victoria Prichard, Orlando Business Journal
- Patti Blake, The News Herald
Photography – Portrait/Personality
Class A
- Michael Johnson, The Villages Daily Sun
- Cindy Skop, The Villages Daily Sun
- Hannah Ridings, The Villages Daily Sun
Class B
- Bruce Ackerman, Ocala Star Banner
- Joshua Boucher, The News Herald
- Patti Blake, The News Herald
Class C
- Jim Carchidi, Orlando Business Journal
- Jock Fistick, South Florida Business Journal
- Conan Segrest, Elevate Magazine
Photography – Sports Action
Class A
- Max Gersh, The Villages Daily Sun
- Max Gersh, The Villages Daily Sun
- Michael Johnson, The Villages Daily Sun
Class B-C
- Lola Gomez, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- David Tucker, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Bruce Ackerman, Ocala Star-Banner
Photography — Sports Feature
Class A-C
- Cindy Skop, The Villages Daily Sun
- Max Gersh, The Villages Daily Sun
- Bruce Ackerman, Ocala Star-Banner
Special Awards – Frances DeVore Award for Public Service
Class A-C
- Staff, Sun-Sentinel
- Julie K. Brown, Emily Michot, Miami Herald
- Suzanne Hirt, Frank Fernandez, Dinah Voyles Pulver, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Special Awards – Lucy Morgan Award for In-Depth Reporting
Class A
- Julie K. Brown, Emily Michot, Miami Herald
- Leonora LaPeter Anton, Tampa Bay Times
- Pat Beall, The Palm Beach Post
Class B
- Suzanne Hirt, Frank Fernandez, Dinah Voyles Pulver, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Cindy Lane, Anna Maria Island Sun
- Ryan Callihan, Jessica De Leon, Sara Nealeigh, Mark Young, Bradenton Herald
Class C
- Meg O’Connor Miami New Times
- Rich Pollack, The Coastal Star
- Jason Parsley, South Florida Gay News
Special Awards – That is so … Florida
- Ryan Ballogg, Bradenton Herald
- Richard Marion, Lake Okeechobee News
Special Sections
Class A
- Staff, The Villages Daily Sun
- Staff, The Villages Daily Sun
- Mark Gauert, Anderson Greene, Sun Sentinel
Class B
- Staff, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Class C
- Leigh Neely, Theresa Campbell , James Combs, Chris Gerbasi , Akers Media Group
- Anjali Fluker, Cindy Barth, Richard Bilbao, Denise Hicks
- Darrell Hofheinz, Palm Beach Life, Palm Beach Daily News
Writing – Arts News
Class A
- Mimi Whitefield, Miami Herald
- Kristi Schweitzer, The Villages Daily Sun
Class B
- Harriet Heithaus, Naples Daily News
Class C
- Ron Hayes, The Coastal Star
- Gretel Sarmiento, The Coastal Star
- Jan Sjostrom, Palm Beach Daily News
Writing – Breaking News
Class A-C
- Cindy Swirko, Gainesville Sun
- Staff, Florida Times Union
- Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Writing – Business News
Class A
- Mimi Whitefield, Miami Herald
- Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel
- Dave Corder, The Villages Daily Sun
Class B
- James A. Jones Jr., Bradenton Herald
- Clayton Park, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Jim Abbott, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Class C
- Brian Bandell, South Florida Business Journal
- Emon Reiser, South Florida Business Journal
- Matthew Richardson, Orlando Business Journal
Writing – Commentary
Class A
- Mark Woods, Florida Times-Union
- Mark Gauert, City & Shore Magazine, the Sun Sentinel’
- Mark Gauert, City & Shore Magazine, the Sun Sentinel
Class B
- Cindy Lane, Anna Maria Island Sun
- Mark Lane, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Cindy Lane, Anna Maria Island Sun
Class C
- Mary Kate Leming, The Coastal Star
- Cindy Barth, Orlando Business Journal
- Theresa Campbell, Akers Media Group
Writing — Community News
Class A-C
- John Sotomayor, Ocala Magazine
- D’Ann White, Patch.com
- Ryan Lynch, Orlando Business Journal
Writing – Education News
Class A
- Rachel Stuart, The Villages Daily Sun
- Claire McNeill, Tampa Bay Times
- Emily Bloch, Florida Times-Union
Class B
- Giuseppe Sabella, Bradenton Herald
- Cassidy Alexander, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Class C
- Ryan Lynch, Orlando Business Journal
- Rich Pollack, The Coastal Star
- Leigh Neely, Akers Media Group/Lake & Sumter Style Magazine
Writing — Environmental Writing
Class A
- Michael Salerno, The Villages Daily Sun
- Mark Woods, Florida Times-Union
Class B
- Dinah Volyles Pulver, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Ryan Ballogg, Bradenton Herald
- Cindy Lane, Anna Maria Island Sun
Class C
- Darrell Hofheinz, Palm Beach Daily News
- Cindy Swirko, Gainesville Sun
- ChrisAnn Silver Esformes, The Islander
Writing — General News
Class A
- Kristen Fiore, The Villages Daily Sun
- Frank Ross, The Villages Daily Sun
- Teresa Stepzinski, Florida Times-Union
Class B
- Patrick McCreless, The News Herald
- Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- George Andreassi, Treasure Coast Newspapers
Class C
- Jerry Iannelli, Miami News Times
- D’Ann White, Patch.com
- Jason Parsley, South Florida Gay News
Writing — Government News
Class A
- Leah Schwarting, The Villages Daily Sun
- Steve Straehley, The Villages Daily SUn
Class B
- Dustin Wyatt, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Ed Offley, The News Herald
Class C
- Andrew Caplan, Gainesville Sun
- Dan Moffett, The Coastal Star
- George Andreassi, Vero News, St. Lucie Voice
Writing — Headline Writing
Class A-B
- Mark Gauert, City & Shore
- Cindy Lane, Anna Maria Island Sun
- Cindy Lane, Anna Maria Island Sun
Class C
- Richard Bilbao, Jim Carchidi, Cindy Barth, Orlando Business Journal
- John Sotomayor, Ocala Magazine
- John Sotomayor, Elevate Magazine
Writing – Health Writing
Class A
- Curt Hills, Mackenzie Raetz, The Villages Daily Sun
- Mimi Whitefield, Miami Herald
- Dayna Straehley, The Villages Daily Sun
Class B
- Patrick McCreless, The News Herald
- George Andreassi, Treasure Coast Newspapers
Class C
- James Combs, Theresa Campbell , Leigh Neely , Chris Gerbasi , Akers Media Group
- James Combs, Akers Media Group
- Joyce Reingold, The Coastal Star
Writing – Light Features
Class A
- Mark Gauert, City & Shore Magazine, the Sun Sentinel
- Mimi Whitefield, Miami Herald
- Amber Hair, The Villages Daily Sun
Class B
- Harriet Heithaus, Naples Daily News
- Joshua Boucher, The News Herald
- Ed Offley, The News Herald
Class C
- D’Ann White, Patch.com
- Theresa Campbell, Akers Media Group
- Jose Duran, Miami New Times
Writing — Minority News
Class A-C
- Cindy Barth, Anjali Fluker, Matthew Richardson, Orlando Business Journal
- Brittany Shammas, Miami New Times
- Cindy Swirko, The Gainesville Sun
Writing – Opinion Writing
Class A-C
- Mike Clark, Florida Times-Union
- John A. Torres, Florida Today
- Cindy Lane, Anna Maria Island Sun
Writing — Public Safety News
Class A
- Curt Hills, Mackenzie Raetz, The Villages Daily Sun
- Phill Stuart, The Villages Daily Sun
- Eliot Kleinberg, The Palm Beach Post
Class B
- Suzanne Hirt, Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Giuseppe Sabella, Jessica De Leon, Bradenton Herald
- Jessica De Leon, Bradenton Herald
Class C
- Jessica Lipscomb, Miami New Times
- Steve Plunkett, The Coastal Star
Writing – Religion News
Class A-C
- Jessica Lipscomb, Miami New Times
- John Sotomayor, Elevate Magazine
- Dayna Straehley, The Villages Daily Sun
Writing — Serious Features
Class A
- Lane DeGregory, Tampa Bay Times
- Eliot Kleinberg, The Palm Beach Post
- Eileen Kelley, Florida Times-Union
Class B
- Suzanne Hirt, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Harriet Heithaus, Naples Daily News
- Dinah Voyles Pulver, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
Class C
- Meg O’Connor, Miami New Times
- Leigh Neely, Akers Media Group
- Jack Witthaus, Anjali Fluker, Richard Bilbao, Orlando Business Journal
Writing – Sports Columns
Class A
- Gene Frenette, Florida Times-Union
- Cody Hills, The Villages Daily Sun
- Steve Trivett, The Villages Daily Sun
Class B
- Ken Willis, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Class C
- Mark Blumenthal, Palatka Daily News
- Dan Ryan, BCUAthletics.com
Writing — Sports Features
Class A-B
- Dave Hyde, South Florida Sun Sentinel
- Gene Frenette, Florida Times Union
- Drew Chaltry, The Villages Daily Sun
Class C
- Brittany Shammas, Miami New Times
- Richard Bilbao, Orlando Business Journal
- Brian Biggane, The Coastal Star
Writing — Sports Writing
Class A
- Cody Hills, The Villages Daily Sun
- Ryan Gregg, The Villages Daily Sun
- Drew Chaltry, The Villages Daily Sun
Class B-C
- Ken Willis, Daytona Beach News-Journal
- Dan Ryan, BCUAthletics.com
- Henry Frederick, Headline Surfer
Writing – Travel and Tourism
Class A
- Michael Salerno, The Villages Daily Sun
Class B
- Jim Abbott, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Class C
- Cheryl Blackerby, Palm Beach Daily News
- Richard Bilbao, Orlando Business Journal
- Mary Ann DeSantis, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine