Winners — 2014 Pennsylvania Communications Contest
Each January, Pennsylvania Press Club members are invited to enter their best work in the state communications contest, which encourages and rewards excellence in communication.
The contest is open to all Pennsylvania Press Club members, providing an opportunity to compete in a broad range of categories.
First-place winners in the state competition are eligible for entry in the National Federation of Press Women National Communications Contest.
Seven members of the Pennsylvania Press Club went on to win 16 awards in the national contest in 2014:
- Johanna Billings — Two third places, one honorable mention
- Kim de Bourbon — One second place, one third place, one honorable mention
- Lini Kadaba — One third place
- Linda Koehler — One first place, two honorable mentions
- Rebecca Solomon — One first place
- Kay Stephens — One second place, two third places, one honorable mention
- Bonnie Lee Struck — One honorable mention
Here is the list of statewide winners in the 2014 contest, for entries published or broadcast between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2013.
* Entries which went on to win in the national contest are indicated in red.
PPC Sweepstakes
Winner | Johanna Billings, Danielsville [Most points]Runner-up | Linda Koehler, Effort
1A News Story, Print Newspaper
*1st | National honorable mention | Kay Stephens, Altoona — Reassessment: A long time coming2nd | Paul Bealer, Hellertown — Baby perished in toilet
3rd | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — No excuse for theft of $120K
Honorable mention | Ann Marie Gonsalves and Paul Bealer, Hellertown — Route 412 roadwork hurts Hellertown businesses
Honorable mention | Bonnie Lee Strunk, Allentown — Allentown shelter for homeless expands
1B News Story, Magazine/Newsletter/Other Non-Newspaper
Honorable mention | Lini Kadaba, Newtown Square — Analyzing the news from Mali2 Continuing Coverage or Unfolding News
*1st | National third place | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — Cost of cool; No concession stand; Outsourced ...2nd | Johanna Billings —Have to wait; To be on the ballot; Funding …
3 Investigative Reporting
1st | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — Closing the books; Board talks trash; Turnover ...4 Enterprise Reporting
*1st | National third place | Kay Stephens, Altoona — Patience is key with health insurance sign-upHonorable mention | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — He said, she said
7A Editorial/Opinion, Print Newspaper
*1st | National second place | Kay Stephens, Altoona — Education department should clarify vague language2nd | Paul Bealer, Hellertown — Lower Saucon town councilman needs refresher course
8A Feature Story, Print Newspaper
1st | Lini Kadaba, Newtown Square — Dumping Diapers2nd | Paul Bealer, Hellertown — Hellertown siblings eye their next big step
3rd | Lina Kadaba, Newtown Square — It's a girl – first one in 137 years
Honorable mention | Linda Koehler, Effort — Hope spreads through Pleasant Valley
Honorable mention | Bonnie Lee Strunk, Allentown — Coplay couple nuts about squirrels
Honorable mention | Linda Koehler, Effort — Jacqueline Mock is honored
8B Feature Story, Magazine/Newsletter/Other Non-Newspaper
*1st | National third place | Lini Kadaba, Newtown Square — Beast or Brother2nd | Lini Kadaba, Newtown Square — Against all odds
9B Personality Profile, More Than 500 Words
1st | Lini Kadaba, Newtown Square — A True Visionary: Ham Clark2nd | Lini Kadaba, Newtown Square — Quaker Connector: Walter Sullivan
3rd | Bonnie Lee Strunk, Allentown — Old-fashioned doctor opens black bag
Honorable mention | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — Paintings fill Coplay home
10C Specialty Articles, Arts and Entertainment
1st | Kay Stephens, Altoona — Music remains key and Nurse offers comfort by singing2nd | Linda Koehler, Effort — Jazzing up summer reading and The Phoenix bridge ...
10D Specialty Articles, Business
*1st | National third place | Kay Stephens, Altoona — New flights to Pittsburgh ; Self service is a matter of preference2nd | Linda Koehler, Effort — Landmark store closing; Leon George gets bus driver award
Honorable mention | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — Entrepreneurs wanted; LV zoo named business of the year
10E Specialty Articles, Education
Honorable mention | Bonnie Lee Struck, Allentown — The Wild Outdoors; Agricultural Enthusiast10H Specialty Articles, Government or Politics
2nd | Kay Stephens, Altoona — Gun rights group rallies, Valley View sale follows trend3rd | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — Spared: Voters say yes; Library campaign ...
10I Specialty Articles, Green/Environment
*1st | National honorable mention | Linda Koehler, Effort — Polk Township recognized; Chestnuthill Twp earns WW award10J Specialty Articles, History
1st | Kay Stephens, Altoona — Korean War’s 60th anniversary; A Stitch in Time2nd (tie) | Linda Koehler, Effort — Getting it down on paper; Pennsylvania pride ...
2nd (tie) | Linda Koehler, Effort — A day in the death; Here’s to hats
10K Specialty Articles, Hobby or Craft
*1st | National first place | Linda Koehler, Effort — March of the Toy Soldiers; Simply Gourd-ulous2nd | Linda Koehler, Effort — Eggs-traordinary Easter egg basket; Always stitching
10M Specialty Articles, Health/Fitness/Self-Help
*1st | National honorable mention | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — Making a comeback: Northampton grad beats the odds, and Daughter's recovery was spiritual2nd | Lini Kadaba, Newtown Square — Cracking Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Secrets
10N Specialty Articles, Religion
1st | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — Couple affirmed at Coplay church and Church takes steps to end prejudice2nd | Kay Stephens, Altoona — Barefoot pastor brings smiles; Commissioners maintain church tax
3rd | Linda Koehler, Effort — Drummer grateful he's alive, Weaving their message.
Honorable mention | Linda Koehler, Effort — Touched by an angel, Bringing the Bible to Life
10Q Specialty Articles, Social Issues
1st | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — Advocacy gives meaning to tragedy and Bartos recalls husband’s death2nd | Lini Kadaba, Newtown Square — To be young and black and safe and The reverse gender gap
3rd | Linda Koehler, Effort — Pleasant Valley student hopes … and Soles 4 Shoes
11A Columns, Humorous
*1st | National honorable mention | Linda Koehler, Effort — To colonoscopy or not; What the first Thanksgiving might ...2nd | Walter Brasch, Bloomsburg — Let’s Phrase This…; Are you ready for less academics?
11B Columns, General
1st | Linda Koehler, Effort — A Mother’s Heart, At the Ballgame2nd | Walter Brasch, Bloomsburg — Royal Dutch Shell, An injunction against the truth
3rd | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — Buying a secluded cabin... and Protect yourself from identity theft
11C Columns, Informational (How-To, Q&A, Advice)
*1st | National honorable mention | Bonnie Lee Strunk, Allentown — Older drivers.... and Give but don't get taken ...2nd | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — Surgery offers new hope.... and I really do want to find the world’s smallest turkey
11D Columns, Personal Opinion
1st | Walter Brasch, Bloomsburg — OBGYNs...; The No News Media....2nd | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — Customers beware of the dressing room...; Government shutdown hurts
3rd | Bonnie Lee Strunk, Allentown — Don't judge life... ; Use the power that dwells ...
12 Headline Writing
3rd | Johanna Billings, Danielsville; Whitehall-Coplay Press15A Publications Edited by Entrant (Newspaper)
1st | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — Whitehall-Coplay Press16B Page Design (Magazine/Newsletter/Other Non-Newspaper)
2nd | Kim de Bourbon, Delaware Water Gap; MCHA The Fanlight3rd | Kim de Bourbon, Delaware Water Gap; ESU Alumni Herald
17A Single Photograph, News or Feature
Honorable mention | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — Coplay Mayor Bundra17C Single Photograph, General Photo
*1st | National third place | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — Double butterfly2nd | Bonnie Lee Strunk, Allentown — Taking a peek
3rd | Johanna Billings, Danielsville — Seeing double
22B Prepared Report (News, Features, Sports or Opinion) Television
*1st | National first place | Rebecca Solomon, York — Taking a stand at work28A Website Edited or Managed by Entrant (Nonprofit, government or educational)
*1st | National second place | Kim de Bourbon, Delaware Water Gap —Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition33 Single advertisement for print/electronic publication
*1st | National third place | Kim de Bourbon, Delaware Water Gap — Casino Theatre: It's Cool Inside45A Public Relations/Brochures (Nonprofit, government or educational)
*1st | National honorable mention | Kim de Bourbon, Delaware Water Gap — ESU Carter Chamber Music Series2nd | Kim de Bourbon, Delaware Water Gap — ESU University Town Guide
52B Feature Writing (College Publication or Media Outlet)
1st | Myra Saturen, Bethlehem — A Martin guitar gives up its secret2nd | Myra Saturen, Bethlehem — John F. Kennedy pondered at NCC
