Congratulations to all the finalists in the Florida Press Club Excellence in Journalism competition! Don’t read anything into the placement of these names, though! The 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-place winners will be announced at FPC’s gala celebration on Nov. 15 at the Pirate’s Cove Resort & Marina. Our guest speaker and additional details to follow… In the meantime, join us in congratulating the finalists!
Special Awards
Frances DeVore Award for Public Service
— Will Hobson and Michael LaForgia, Tampa Bay Times
— Tim Elfrink, Miami New Times
— Carol Marbin Miller, Audra D.S. Burch, Lazaro Gamio, Miami Herald
Freedom of Information Award
— Gina Edwards, Naples City Desk, WatchdogCity.com
— Staff, Times-Union Media
— Dan Christensen and Anthony Summers, Broward Bulldog
Lucy Morgan Award for In-Depth Reporting
Class A
— Pat Beall, Palm Beach Post
— Diane C. Lade, Sun Sentinel
–Dave Breitenstein, News-Press
Class B
— Charles Schelle, Bradenton Herald
— Brittany Van Heyningen, The Villages Daily Sun
— Dinah Voyles Pulver, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Class C
— Michele Dargan, Palm Beach Daily News
— Stephanie Allen, The Ledger
— David Chapman, Marilyn Young, The Financial News and Daily Record
Class D
— John Sotomayor, Sotomayor Media Creations
— Cheryl Blackerby, Tim O’Meilia, Mary Kate Leming, Jerry Lower, Coastal Star
— Jay Schlichter, Naples Daily News
Special Sections
Class A-B
— Lou Ann Frala, Eliot Kleinberg, Barbara Marshall, Mark Buzek, Palm Beach Post
–Brittany Van Heyningen, Cal Gaines and Thomas Marcetti, The Villages Daily Sun
— Alan Bellittera, Roy Cummings, Joey Johnston, Ira Kaufman, Staff, Tampa Tribune
Class C-D
— Anjali Fluker, Orlando Business Journal
— Codi Gildberg, Bobby King, Marilyn Young, The Financial News and Daily Record
— Darrell Hofheinz, Palm Beach Daily News
Illustration — Artist Illustration
Class A-D
— Donnie Haberkorn, Naples Daily News
— Steve Nelson, Times-Union Media
— Jerry Petersen, Panama City News Herald
Illustration — Editorial Cartooning
— David Willson, Palm Beach Daily News
— Steve Borggren, Anna Maria Island Sun
— Ed Hall, Freelance
Illustration — Infographic Presentation
Class A-D
— Michael Servidio, Joey Johnston, Tampa Tribune
— Aleese Kopf, William Kelly, Karbel Multimedia, Palm Beach Daily News
— Steve Nelson, Times-Union Media
Layout — Features Page Design
Class A
— Steve Nelson, Times -Union Media
— Chanel Martin, Times-Union Media
Class B
— Chelsea Kleven, The Villages Daily Sun
— Scott Turick, Daytona Beach News-Journal
— Sue Pearson, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Class C
— Jerry Petersen, Panama City News Herald
— Trisha Murphy, Palatka Daily News
Class D
— Donnie Haberkorn, Naples Daily News
Layout — Front Page Design
Class A
— Miche Ratto, Broward Palm Beach New Times
— Horace Brooks, Cindy DeJonge, Joel Taylor, Tampa Tribune
— Phil Diokno, Times-Union Media
Class B
— Adam Rogers, The Villages Daily Sun
— Scott Turick, Daytona Beach News-Journal
— Alex Miller, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Class C
–John Pitts and Julia Estrada, The Ledger
— Laura Cornett, Panama City News Herald
— Ray Glenn, Panama City News Herald
Class D
— Jerry Lower, Scott Simmons, Mary Kate Leming, Coastal Star
— Donnie Haberkorn, Naples Day News
Layout — Sports Page Design
Class A-B
— Bill Bootz, The Villages Daily Sun
— Adam Rogers, The Villages Daily Sun
— Marc Correnti, The Villages Daily Sun
Class C
— Laura Cornett, Panama City News Herald
— John Hansen, Panama City News Herald
— Chris George, The Ledger
Class D
— Donnie Haberkorn, Naples Daily News
Writing — Breaking News
— Thomas Vaught, Anna Maria Island Sun
— Michael E. Miller, Miami New Times
— Aleese Kopf, Palm Beach Daily News
Writing — Business
Class A
— Michael E. Miller, Miami New Times
— Charles Elmore, Palm Beach Post
— Charles Elmore, Stacey Singer, Palm Beach Post
Class B
— Josh Salman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
— Charles Schelle, Bradenton Herald
Class C
— Asia Aikins, Palatka Daily News
— Dian Vujovich, Palm Beach Daily News
— Valerie Garman, Panama City News Herald
Class D
— Richard Bilbao, Orlando Business Journal
— Anjali Fluker Orlando Business Journal
— Abraham Aboraya, Orlando Business Journal
Writing — Community News
— Julie Murphy, Daytona Beach News-Journal
— Jack Short, Boca Beacon
— Steve Bauer, Suncoast Media Group
Writing — Commentary
Class A
— Michelle Bearden, Tampa Tribune
— Mark Gauert, City & Shore Magazine, the Sun Sentinel
Class B
— Christy Feinberg, Sun Newspapers
— Scott Kent, Daytona Beach News-Journal
— Eve Samples, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
Class C
– Gerald Ensley, Tallahassee Democrat
— Brian Thompson, St. Augustine Record
— David Willson, Palm Beach Daily News
Class D
— Thom Smith, Coastal Star
— Ron Hayes, Coastal Star
— Cindy Lane, Anna Maria Island Sun
Writing — Education
Class A-D
— Annie Martin, Daytona Beach News-Journal
— Abraham Aboraya, Orlando Business Journal
— Dave Breitenstein, News-Press
Writing — Environmental News
Class A-C
– David Villano, Miami New Times
— Scott Wyland, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
— Tom Palmer, The Ledger
Class D
– Cheryl Blackerby, Coastal Star
— Jack Short, Boca Beacon
Writing — General News
Class A
— Michael E. Miller, Miami New Times
–Topher Sanders, Times-Union Media
— Mimi Whitefield, Miami Herald
Class B
– Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, Daytona Beach News-Journal
— Josh Salman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
— Bruce Ackerman, Ocala Star Banner
Class C
— Marilyn Young, The Financial News and Daily Record
— Michele Dargan, Palm Beach Daily News
– Aleese Kopf, Kopf, Palm Beach Daily News
Class D
— Henry Frederick, HeadlineSurfer.com
— Abraham Aboraya, Orlando Business Journal
— Jack Short, Boca Beacon
Writing — Government News
Class A
— Michael E. Miller, Miami New Times
— David Bauerlein, Eileen Kelley, Times-Union Media
— Joel Engelhardt, Palm Beach Post
Class B
— Andrew Gant, Daytona Beach News-Journal
— George Andreassi, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
— Mark Harper, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Class C
— Max Marbut, The Financial News and Daily Record
— David Chapman, The Financial News and Daily Record
— William Kelly, Palm Beach Daily News
Class D
— John Sotomayor, Sotomayor Media Creations
— Abraham Aboraya, Orlando Business Journal
–Steve Bauer, Suncoast Media Group
Writing — Headline Writing
— Steve Nelson, Times-Union Media
— Cindy Lane, Anna Maria Island Sun
— Staff, Orlando Business Journal
Writing — Health Writing
Class A-C
— Jacqueline Bostick, Panama City News Herald
– Beth Reese Cravey, Times-Union Media
Class D
— Abraham Aboraya, Orlando Business Journal
— – James Combs, Akers Media Group
— John Sotomayor, Sotomayor Media Creations
Writing — Light Feature Writing
Class A
— Kyle Swenson, Miami New Times
— Matt Soergel, Times-Union Media
— Steve Nelson, Times-Union Media
Class B
— Zaimarie De Guzman, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
— Janine Zeitlin, News Press
— Sabrina Rocco, Bradenton Herald
Class C
— Asia Aikins, Palatka Daily News
Class D
— Cindy Lane, Anna Maria Island Sun
— Ron Hayes, Coastal Star
— Abraham Aboraya, Orlando Business Journal
Writing — Minority Reporting
Class A-C
– Mimi Whitefield, Miami Herald
— Kyle Swenson, Miami New Times
Class D
— Henry Frederick, HeadlineSurfer.com
— Nicole Wiesenthal, South Florida Gay News
— Kelly Farrell, Jay Schlichter, Naples Daily News
Writing — Opinion Writing
Class A-C
— Elizabeth Clarke, Palm Beach Daily News
— Betty Nelander, Palm Beach Daily News
— Scott Kent, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Class D
— Cindy Barth, Orlando Business Journal
— Mike Field, Anna Maria Island Sun
Writing — Public Safety Reporting
Class A
— Topher Sanders, Times-Union Media
— Jim Schoettler, Times-Union Media
— Michael E. Miller, Miami New Times
Class B
— Tony Holt, Daytona Beach News-Journal
— Katie Kustura, Daytona Beach News-Journal
— Chris Gerbasi, The Villages Daily Sun
Class C
— Michele Dargan, Palm Beach Daily News
— Stephanie Allen, The Ledger
— Marilyn Young, The Financial News and Daily Record
Class D
— Steve Bauer, Suncoast Media Group
— Jane Smith, Coastal Star
— Susan E. Hoffman, Suncoast Media Group
Writing — Religion
Class A-B
— Dave Breitenstein, News-Press
— Andrew Pantazi, Times-Union Media
— Michelle Bearden, Tampa Tribune
Class B
— Zaimarie De Guzman, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
— Richard Dymond, Bradenton Herald
Class C-D
— Tracy Miguel-Navarro, Elysa Delcorto, Naples Daily News
— Christiana Lilly, South Florida Gay News
— Audrey Blackwell, Venice Gondolier Sun
Writing — Serious Feature Writing
Class A
— Diane C. Lade, Sun Sentinel
— Michelle Bearden, Tampa Tribune
— Eliot Kleinberg, Palm Beach Post
Class B
— Janine Zeitlin, News-Press
— Brittany Van Heyningen, The Villages Daily Sun
— Gary Corsair, Akers Media Group
Class C
— Gary White, The Ledger
— Jacqueline Bostick, Panama City News Herald
— Marilyn Young, The Financial News and Daily Record
Class D
— James Combs, Akers Media Group
— Susan E. Hoffman, Suncoast Media Group
— Abraham Aboraya, Orlando Business Journal
Writing — Sports Column A-D
— Alan Dell, Bradenton Herald
— Gene Frenette, Times-Union Media
— Pat McCann, Panama City News Herald
Writing — Sports Feature Writing
Class A
— Joey Johnston, Tampa Tribune
— Dave Breitenstein, News-Press
-Michael E. Miller, Miami New Times
Class B-D
— Steve Bauer, Suncoast Media Group
— Zaimarie De Guzman, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
— Dennis Jacob, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
Writing — Sports Writing Class A-D
— Mark Blumenthal, Palatka Daily News
— John Lembo, Bradenton Herald
— Justin Barney, Times-Union Media
Writing — Travel Writing
Class A-B
— Mimi Whitefield, Miami Herald
— Christy Feinberg, Sun Newspapers
— Charles Schelle, Bradenton Herald
Class C
— Cheryl Blackerby, Palm Beach Daily News
Class D
— Mary Ann DeSantis, Style Magazine
— Brandi Broxson, Naples Daily News
— Richard Bilbao, Orlando Business Journal
Photography — Breaking News A-D
— Chris DeVitto, Palatka Daily News
— Bruce Ackerman, Ocala Star Banner
— Bob Self, Times-Union Media
— Xavier Mascarenas, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
Photography — Feature Photo Essay
Class A
— Will Dickey, Times-Union Media
— Bruce Lipsky, Times Union Media
Class B
– — Cal Gaines, The Villages Daily Sun
— George Horsford, The Villages Daily Sun
— Amy Correnti, The Villages Daily Sun
Class C-D
— Susan E. Hoffman, Suncoast Media Group
Photography — Features
— Bruce Lipsky, Times-Union Media
— Bob Self, Times Union-Media
— Bob Mack, Times-Union Media
Class B
— Bruce Ackerman, Ocala Star-Banner
— Sam Wolfe, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
Class C
— Chris DeVitto, Palatka Daily News
— Andrew Wardlow, Panama City News Herald
— Heather Leiphart, Panama City News Herald
Class D
— Maggie Field, Anna Maria Island Sun
— Susan E. Hoffman, Suncoast Media Group
Photography — General News
Class A
— Will Dickey, Times-Union Media
— Luke Johnson, Tampa Tribune
Class B
— Alex Boerner, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
— Bruce Ackerman, Ocala Star-Banner
— Alex Slitz, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
Class C
— Meghan McCarthy, Palm Beach Daily News
— Scott Wheeler, The Ledger
— Andrew Wardlow, Panama City News Herald
Class D
— Mike Field, Anna Maria Island Sun
— Cindy Lane Anna Maria Island Sun
— Maggie Field, Anna Maria Island Sun
Photography — Photo Illustration
Class A-D
— Cindy Lane, Anna Maria Island Sun
— Will Dickey, Times-Union Media
— Cindy Lane, Anna Maria Island Sun
Photography — Portrait/Personality
Class A
— Bob Self, Times-Union Media
–Will Dickey, Times-Union Media
Class B-D
— Bill Mitchell, The Villages Daily Sun
— Andrew Wardlow, Panama City News Herald
Photography — Sports Action
Class A
— Bob Self, Times-Union Media
— Bob Mack, Times-Union Media
Class B
— Eric Hasert, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
— Peter Travers, The Villages Daily Sun
— Bruce Ackerman, Ocala Star-Banner
Photography — Sports Feature
Class A
— Bob Mack, Times-Union Media
— Will Dickey, Times-Union Media
Class B
— Molly Bartels, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
— Peter Travers, The Villages Daily Sun
Class C-D
— Patti Blake, Panama City News Herald
— Scott Wheeler, The Ledger
Online — Blog Affiliated
— Will Greenlee, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
— Dian Vujovich, Palm Beach Daily News
— Jeff Wilen, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Online — Blog Independent
— Sharon Aron Baron, Talk Media
Online — News Site
— Staff, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
— Tim Elfrink, Michael E. Miller, Trevor Bach, Kyle Munzenrieder, Miami New Times
— Staff, Orlando Business Journal
Online — Package
Class A
— Eliot Kleinberg, Mark Buzek, Jeff Sterling, Palm Beach Post
— Miche Ratto, Miami New Times
— Staff, Times-Union Media
Class B
— Eric Pfahler, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
Class C-D
— Jim Carchidi, Orlando Business Journal