The Star News - brings home statewide awards
The Star News brings home statewide awards
The Star News received five first place awards among the 14 total awards won by the paper’s staff in the 2023 Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation’s Better Newspaper Contest.
WNA Foundation Better Newspaper Contest Awards Banquet was held on Friday, March 15, at The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club in downtown Madison.
The awards recognize outstanding achievement in both news and advertising with competition among newspapers by circulation size and among all weekly and daily newspapers in the state. The Star News competes in the mid-sized weekly newspaper division.
The 2023 contest received 2,144 entries from 102 newspapers. Eligible entries were published between Sept. 1, 2022, and Aug. 31, 2023, and were judged by members of the Kentucky Press Association.
The five newspapers in the group owned by the O’Leary family took home a combined 39 awards in both news and advertising including 12 first place awards.
“It is important to us to provide our communities with quality newspapers. It is exciting when our editorial, sales, and designers are recognized for their hard work and dedication. Congratulations to The Star News staff on producing award winning stories and ads for our local readers and advertisers. Taylor County can be proud to have one of the best weekly newspapers in Wisconsin,” said publisher Kris O’Leary.
Three of the first place awards for The Star News came from the editorial side of the competition.
News editor Brian Wilson took a first place for health coverage with the reporting on the ambulance service and coverage issues impacting Taylor County. The judge commented, “Great work reporting on what could happen if the ambulance service gets cut.”
Wilson also took first place for artistic photo with a photo of the racers in the Midwest 100 watching the sunrise over the Mondeaux Flowage before the race began. The judge commented “Nice silhouette against a beautiful sky.”
The Star News also won a first place in the photo essay category with page design by Lydia Erickson and photography by Alexander Wilson. The judge commented, “Excellent artwork and display! Eye-catching!”
Brian Wilson took second place in headline writing with “Damm, he’s smart;” “All day, 5-day, Pre K on the way;” and “Here we go again.” The judge commented, “Witty headlines get me every time! Excellent!”
Brian Wilson took a third place for general news photo of the rainy 4th of July fireworks from last summer. The judge commented, “Not only is this a wonderful photo of fireworks — which can be difficult to shoot well — this picture tells a story. I see fire and I see rain.”
Brian Wilson also took third place in local government reporting of county issues. The judge commented, “These deeply reported stories are more than just daily stories. They are that, yes, but each one is set in firm, detailed context to relay the importance of local government decisions on a range of subjects, from forest management to municipal employees’ health insurance. The writing is clear and concise, and all three stories are very well organized.”
Brian Wilson took third place for reporting on local education. The judge commented, “The importance of showing where and how tax dollars are spent and the ways in which the elected decision makers and benefactors of those funds interface cannot be understated. Important story that was very well written and researched.”
The entire staff of The Star News received a third place in the general excellence category which looks at the overall newspaper.
In addition Brian Wilson received honorable mention awards for Best Front Page and for editorial writing for “Ballot measure is more about playing politics than seeking solutions;” “Don’t play cute with the public’s right to know;” and “Vos is off base with impeachment threats.” The judge commented, “Well written editorials.”
Wilson also received a second place in the small weekly newspaper competition for editorial writing for editorials written for the Courier Sentinel, a sister paper to The Star News with the judge commenting “Great voice on local subjects.”
Advertising competition
In the advertising side of the competition, The Star News brought home four awards including two first place awards. Advertising manager Kelly Schmidt praised the advertising and graphic design staff for their hard work and skill in serving the needs of area businesses. Schmidt praised the level of cooperation between The Star News and its sister publications, helping to serve businesses throughout the region.
Janna Johnson received the first place award for Best Use of Local Photography in an ad for an ad congratulating the Medford gymnastics team for their efforts at state. The judge commented, “WOW! The creativity in this ad with the photos is outstanding. I like the advertisers being black and white and it doesn’t take away from the athletes.”
Kelly Schmidt received the Salesperson of the Year recognition among all weekly newspapers. Her nomination letter states: “Kelly continues to push forward at a time when ad sales are getting harder to come by. She believes in the print product, she knows newspaper ads work, and she motivates others to follow her lead. Kelly meets and exceeds the requirements for salesperson of the year.”
Erickson received a second place for Best Use of Humor for a Christmas ad for Jensen Blacktop. The judge commented, “So cute. Puts a twist on Santa and his jolliness. Too funny!” Erickson also received a third place in best use of art service for an ad done for the Courier Sentinel for “Cadott Travel Plaza is Hiring Cashiers.”
Johnson took third place in multiple advertiser spread for an ad for the golf tea with the judge commenting, “Page looks good.”
Brian Wilson received multiple awards at the annual conference.
Designer Lydia Erickson (left) and photographer Alex Wilson won a first place for a photo essay on Lublin Days.
