Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Cloquet - Pine Knot News Entry Title: Women discover each other Entry Credit: Mike Creger Judge Comment: Great job recreating scenes, specifically the time when the family picked up Leah. Very nice lead that takes us to a good nut graf. Some typos, but this is an excellent human interest story. Plus, I like how it is broken into little chapters. I'm not sure the second graf works as this concept isn't developed but, again, the nut graf helps focus the story.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Cloquet - Pine Knot News Entry Title: With similar afflictions, they found affection Entry Credit: Mike Creger Judge Comment: This couple certainly has a fascinating story. But I think the lead was buried. Much has been written about this couple and their journey, but your story was really more about Joyce. And that part of the story was buried in the second part. I think if that was developed at the start, this would be really outstanding.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Balaton - Press Tribune Entry Title: Lasting Legacies Entry Credit: Jenny Kirk Judge Comment: Very nice reporting here on a really fascinating person. Lots of good description.