Sheboygan Press wins 15 Wisconsin journalism awards, including firsts for stories on North High School's drumline and a proposed Kohler Co. golf course
SHEBOYGAN - Sheboygan’s daily newspaper, the Sheboygan Press, won two first-place awards, three second-place awards, eight third-place awards and two honorable mentions in the 2022 Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation Better Newspaper Contest.
The awards were given March 24 during the WNA's awards ceremony. The Sheboygan Press competes in Division B, which includes newspapers with daily print circulation of 9,999 or less. The WNA Foundation is a not-for-profit created in 1980 that works to improve Wisconsin’s newspaper enterprises.
The 2022 contest received 2,230 entries from 106 newspapers. Eligible entries were published between Sept. 1, 2021, and Aug. 31, 2022, and were judged by members of the Arkansas Press Association.
2021 winners: Sheboygan Press wins eight Wisconsin journalism awards, including for coverage of COVID-19 and police and mental health
2020 winners: Sheboygan Press wins 11 awards from Wisconsin Newspaper Association, including two first places for photographer Gary Klein
Here's what to know about the Sheboygan Press' 2022 awards.
Maya Hilty scored firsts for Feature Story and Enterprise/Interpretive Reporting.
Reporter Maya Hilty collected two firsts in the competition.
In the Feature Story (Non-profile) category, Hilty took first place for her Feb. 16, 2022, story "‘How do we do something we’ve never done before?’: Meet the students behind Sheboygan North High School's barrier-breaking drumline."
The judge wrote: “This feature is booming! I was hooked from the line, ‘Every single part of drumline is our favorite.’ The story captures the students’ joy and exuberance, as well as their seriousness and dedication — anyone reading becomes an instant super-fan of their work, which is a great outcome for a community spotlight. The colorful visuals and multimedia just heighten this burst of brightness and journalism joy.”
In the Enterprise/Interpretive Reporting category, Hilty took first place for her Sept. 30, 2021, article "Kohler Co. says it built Whistling Straits to host major tournaments, but its proposed new course isn't designed for that purpose."
The judge wrote, “Nice work tracking the difference between the Kohler Co. company line and behind-the-scenes dealings, including the words of the deceased architect.”
Gary C. Klein took second for Artistic Photo and Hilty earned seconds for Enterprise/Interpretive Reporting and General News Story.
Photographer/videographer Gary C. Klein scored a second place in the Artistic Photo category for his photo of Ryder Cup spectators silhouetted along the terrain at Whistling Straits in September 2021.
And Hilty won two second-place honors — in the Enterprise/Interpretive Reporting category for the Dec. 6, 2021, article "Census counts people incarcerated at Kettle Moraine prison as rural Sheboygan County constituents, even though at least 98% aren’t" and in the General News Story category for the Nov. 29, 2021, article "Wisconsin detectives are still investigating the unsolved Jalopy Jungle murders of 1988. Family of the victims ‘desperately want’ closure."
The judge wrote of the Jalopy Jungle article: “I loved this story. Great read.”
Staff collected eight thirds, including for Environmental Reporting, Investigative Reporting, Reporting on Local Government and more.
Hilty earned third place in the following categories:
Environmental Reporting — For the June 8, 2022, article "'A normal river again.' Once notoriously polluted, the Sheboygan river is again drawing paddlers, fishing and outdoors enthusiasts." The judge wrote: “The lead drew me in and carried through the story of a people-inspired movement. Good details on the financial impact as well.”
Coronavirus Coverage — For the Jan. 17, 2022, article "In Sheboygan schools, COVID-19 omicron surge is compounding staff shortages. Here's how the district is responding."
Reporting on Local Government — For these stories: "In acclaimed Amsterdam Dunes project, Sheboygan County to restore a shoreline property and create a wetland ‘bank’ for future developments"; "Facing bus driver shortage, Sheboygan's Shoreline Metro to reduce evening and Saturday service"; and "Sheboygan County board to mull spending $11 million on six projects including child care, internet, police program and more." The judge wrote: “Reporter explains a topic that could be complicated regarding wetland credits in a way that’s easy to understand and compelling. Well done.”
Investigative Reporting — For the Aug. 31, 2022, articles "Here's how Sheboygan Lutheran responded when a grad reported that a teacher had sexually groomed, assaulted her" and "Sheboygan Lutheran grad reported her former teacher for grooming. The school district named him Teacher of the Year." The judge wrote: “This is rock-solid reporting at its best. Great use of quotes. Very informative!”
Hilty also teamed up with reporter Kelli Arseneau, Klein and editor Brandon Reid for a third place in the Breaking News Reporting category for their stories on the death of 8-year-old Oliver Hitchcock in April 2022. The judge wrote: “A news story that continued over several days. It began as a story about a mother beating her 8-year-old son and then he died and she was charged in his death. Many elements in the story, which has local news value, has clarity and clear writing, and competent reporting and immediacy. Included are areas such as mental condition of the mother. Good sources and quotes.”
Klein collected two thirds — for Feature Photo of Ryder Cup spectators taken on Sept. 26, 2021, and for Best Video for the July 19, 2022, video "Sparky's Hot Dog stand in Sheboygan is a niche in a brat town." “Expressions on the faces of the spectators made this and interesting photo,” the judge said of the Ryder Cup photo, and “A very cool video on this niche business,” the judge wrote of the Sparky’s Hot Dog Stand video.
Reid took third place in the Local Column category for his online "Weekly Dose" column. His articles "Cedar Grove's 75th annual Holland Fest is this month, plus more news in your weekly dose," "Edgewater Generating Station in Sheboygan focus of upcoming forum, plus more news in weekly dose.," and "Portion of North Avenue closes in Sheboygan as construction begins. Plus, more news in your weekly dose." earned him the honor. “A useful and probably very popular feature,” the judge wrote.
Klein earned honorable mentions in the Artistic Photo and General News Photo categories.
Klein earned honorable mentions in the Artistic Photo category for his Jan. 20, 2022, photo of an icy Lake Michigan and in the General News Photo category for his Oct. 12, 2021, photo of a nurse talking with a resident at Rocky Knoll Health Care Center.
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin won three awards.
Dating to its first issue published Dec. 17, 1907, the Sheboygan Press has a rich history in the community. Today, it is part of USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin, which also includes daily newsrooms in Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Manitowoc, Marshfield, Oshkosh, Stevens Point, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is also part of the news group.
In addition to the Sheboygan Press's 15 awards, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin won three awards, including one first place:
First Place, Ongoing/Extended Coverage: Staff, for the Home is Here series, a look at the changing demographics of northeast Wisconsin
Third Place, Localized National Story: Madeline Heim, for her story about doctors' views of the impact of Roe v. Wade being overturned
Honorable Mention, Community Engagement Award: Staff, for coverage of the Stock the Shelves fundraising effort to fight hunger in Wisconsin
Our impact
The Sheboygan Press strives to make a difference in our community. Read our 2022 Community Impact Report and our 2021 Community Impact Report.
Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @breidHTRNews.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan Press wins 15 Wisconsin journalism awards in WNA contest
