Journal staff report
The Islands’ Sounder and the Journal of the San Juans both took home general excellence awards and individual recognition during the 2015 Washington Better Newspaper Contest.
The awards were presented Oct. 9 at an awards dinner during the 128th annual Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Convention in Everett.
The Sounder, circulation 2,000, competed against other newspapers in Group I. The newspapers were judged on work produced from April 1, 2014 to May 31, 2015. The contest drew 2,034 entries from 58 community newspapers; entries were judged by members of the Kansas Press Association.
The Islands’ Sounder brought home second place in general excellence.
The Journal won first place for general excellence and won for the following in news, editorial, arts, page design, special sections.
Best special sections
First place, Wellness Guide – Sounder and Journal staff
Third Place, Holiday Guide – Sounder and Journal staff
Second Place, Weddings in the San Juan Islands – Sounder and Journal staff
First Place, Springtide – Sounder and Journal staff
First Place, San Juan County Fair Guide – Sounder and Journal staff
Second place, Women in Business – Sounder staff
Editorial and design awards
First place, best Environmental story, “Born under a bad sign?” – Scott Rasmussen
First place, best sports feature, “One for the record books” – Scott Rasmussen
First place, best short profile “Century of honor, sacrifice” –Scott Rasmussen
Second place, best lifestyle feature “Big dreams, little boat, portly dog” – Emily Greenberg
Second place, best editorial, “Ill at ease over EMS” – Scott Rasmussen
Second place, best front page design, “San Juan ‘Whisperer’” – Scott Rasmussen, Kathryn Sherman, Emily Greenberg
Second place, best Education story, “Food for Thought program builds chef skills” – Emily Greenberg
Third place, most effective use of small space for an ad (black and white or spot color, “Bunny Origami Workshop’ – Scott Herning
Third place, best sports news story, “Travel-tested Breakers rally for win over Friday Harbor” – Scott Rasmussen
