Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: New London/Spicer - Lakes Area Review Entry Title: As aging takes its toll, photography brings life back in focus for mother and son Entry Credit: Brett Blocker Judge Comment: If there was more to this story, I would have kept reading. I loved the way this story was told, using photography and art as a way to describe, and connect it to, a person's relationship with his mother and the affect this disease has on a family.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Hutchinson Leader Entry Title: Sculpting from experience Entry Credit: Kay Johnson Judge Comment: The story's structure works well, including digging into the artist's background. It's clean, crisp copy with good quotes and an interesting story to tell.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Isle - Mille Lacs Messenger Entry Title: 'Ditch Ducks' roosting near Hwy. 65 Entry Credit: Evan Orbeck Judge Comment: This story is a unique take on a local art installation. The reporter sharing the meanings behind some of the ducks seals the deal on an interesting piece.