Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Detroit Lakes Tribune Entry Title: Buried Truth Entry Credit: Marie Johnson Judge Comment: Unique, well-written story with a grab-your-attention lede. Author uncovered a hidden tale of a local hero who may have never been known to the public without her reporting. Story is carefully structured to keep the reader's attention and draw them into the action. High-quality writing with great verbs.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Detroit Lakes Tribune Entry Title: The Long Haul Entry Credit: Marie Johnson Judge Comment: A charming profile of a local couple offering a slice of community life. Writing is playful and engaging, condensing 80-some years of history into a lengthy but irresistible read. Solid use of language and well-chosen quotes bring subjects alive without getting in the way.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Shoreview Press Entry Title: Floral shop donates $10k worth of flowers to Floyd memorial Entry Credit: Elizabeth Callen Judge Comment: Author caught wind of a powerful story and tracked down the details to offer proof of one person's ability to enact change. A straightforward local-hero story, simply and skillfully told, inspiring the reader to want to be their better self.
