Sonoma Index-Tribune wins 13 California Journalism Awards

"Our photo editor, Robbi Pengelly, swept the Feature Photo category, earning first, second and third place,“ said I-T editor and publisher Emily Charrier. ”And our win in Public Service Journalism is especially meaningful, demonstrating the power of small press to highlight big issues.“|

The Sonoma Index-Tribune racked up the accolades over the last few weeks as the results of the 2022 California Journalism Awards rolled out on social media. In total, the local paper won 14 state awards, including first place for Profile Story, Feature Photo, Sports Feature and Sports Feature Photo.

"Our photo editor, Robbi Pengelly, swept the Feature Photo category, earning first, second and third place,“ said I-T editor and publisher Emily Charrier. ”And our win in Public Service Journalism is especially meaningful, demonstrating the power of small press to highlight big issues.“

Hosted by the California News Publishers Association, the annual California Journalism Awards is voted on by journalists all across the country. Newspapers are divided in categories by print circulation size, with the I-T competing against other weeklies in the 4,001-11,000 division. New this year, the contest only recognized the top three winners in each category, where the top five historically have been honored.

“Even with that change in format, we were consistently named among the best of the best,” said Charrier, who also serves as the president of the California News Publisher Association’s board of directors. “We are so proud of the talent, dedication and hard work of our editorial team.”

Richard Green, chief content officer of the I-T’s parent company and executive editor of The Press Democrat, said, “Across Sonoma Media Investments, our journalists take seriously their role as watchdogs, storytellers and reporters who capture the day’s biggest headlines in the communities we serve.”

First Place, Profile Story, Daniel Johnson: “Sonoma native Ada Limón named 24th US poet laureate.” This piece on America’s top poet was recognized for its strong voice. “Compelling story, well crafted. The writing was fluid and informative, enabled the reader to understand and connect with the poet profiled,” wrote the judge.

This photo took first place for Best Feature Photo in the California Journalism Awards. Lauren Meyers, owner of Wet Nose Style, prepares Gus, a dachshund doodle, for a trim in her temporary grooming room in Sonoma on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)
This photo took first place for Best Feature Photo in the California Journalism Awards. Lauren Meyers, owner of Wet Nose Style, prepares Gus, a dachshund doodle, for a trim in her temporary grooming room in Sonoma on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)

First Place, Feature Photo, Robbi Pengelly:Grooming.” This photo of busy dog groomer Lauren Meyers of Wet Nose Style was full of personality. “Nice use of wide-angle to focus on the dog as it is getting groomed,” wrote the judge.

The Index-Tribune was awarded first place for Sports Feature Photo for this wrestling match between SVHS and Casa Grande in January 2022. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)
The Index-Tribune was awarded first place for Sports Feature Photo for this wrestling match between SVHS and Casa Grande in January 2022. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)

First Place, Sports Feature Photo, Robbi Pengelly: Wrestle Me.” The incredible light in Sonoma Valley High School’s Golton Hall always makes wrestling a visual feast for our photographer.

First Place, Sports Feature Story, Chase Hunter: Farmer and fighter Brady Wicklund preps for World Championship.” This piece explored both the mental and physical preparation required to compete in one of the world’s biggest athletic events.

Second Place, Public Service Journalism, Chase Hunter and Emily Charrer: Sonoma needs shelter from extreme weather. Last year brought both the hottest and coldest days in recent history. In a series of news articles, Hunter explored why the city and county were slow to offer relief from the weather, leaving nonprofits like Sonoma Overnight Support to fill the gaps. Charrier amplified the need for a more holistic government response in two editorials. “The result was a more reasoned response going forward,” judges wrote.

Second Place, Land-Use Reporting, Chase Hunter: As affordable housing deed-restrictions expire in Sonoma, seniors fear being hit with market rates.” This story looked at Setzer Senior Apartments, which has provided affordable homes for seniors for decades, but is about to lose its deed-restriction, meaning long-term tenant could soon be hit with market rate rents. “Heartbreaking telling of the real cost of the housing crisis,” wrote the judge.

This image won second place for best Feature Photo. Sculptor Bryan Tedrick signals to Adam Moody, in the bucket, during the final phase of the installation of the metal bear sculpture in front of St. Anne’s Crossing Winery on Highway 12 in Kenwood on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)
This image won second place for best Feature Photo. Sculptor Bryan Tedrick signals to Adam Moody, in the bucket, during the final phase of the installation of the metal bear sculpture in front of St. Anne’s Crossing Winery on Highway 12 in Kenwood on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)

Second Place, Feature Photo, Robbi Pengelly: Bear Rising.” Our photo editor was in the right place at the right time as the team at St. Anne’s Crossing Winery placed the head on its newest 28-foot sculpture by artist Bryan Tedrick, known as “Big Bad Bear.”

Third Place, Breaking News, Chase Hunter and Emily Charrier: Friends help save Sonoma teen’s life on basketball court.” The heroic efforts of Nate Jordan, Toby Ford-Monroe and Mason Matulaitis played out like a Hollyowood movie, when the teens jumped into action after their friend Mikey Serbicki suffered cardiac arrest while playing basketball.

Third Place, Land-Use Reporting, Chase Hunter: Sonoma Developmental Center. Nothing dominated our 2022 coverage more than the future plans to develop SDC, and Hunter filed more than a dozen stories covering everything from alternative proposals to the final vote by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.

Third Place, Profile Story, Daniel Johnson: The coolest nerd.” The piece on Dean Knight, a Sonoma Valley High science teacher for more than 50 years, resonated with readers and judges. “Lots to like about this teacher, well profiled. It's a strong read, worthy of the reader's time,” the judge wrote.

This image earned third place for Feature Photo. Sixteen-year-old Daylin Llanes with Angus the Clydesdale in Glen Ellen on Sunday, Dec 11, 2022. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)
This image earned third place for Feature Photo. Sixteen-year-old Daylin Llanes with Angus the Clydesdale in Glen Ellen on Sunday, Dec 11, 2022. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)

Third Place, Feature Photo, Robbi Pengelly: Clydesdale Cuddle.” A profile on Renaissance woman Daylin Llanes, a teen who drives Clydesdales and welds buggies, led to this sweet, award-winning photo.

This photo of grappler Brady Wicklund at his private gym on Eighth Street East on Monday, August 15, 2022 earned third place for best Sports Feature Photo. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)
This photo of grappler Brady Wicklund at his private gym on Eighth Street East on Monday, August 15, 2022 earned third place for best Sports Feature Photo. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)

Third Place, Sports Feature Photo, Robbi Pengelly: “Grappling.” While simple, this portrait of world grappling champion Brady Wicklund had it all: great light, a compelling subject and a strong use of space.

Third Place, Best Front Page, Yovanna Bieberich and Emily Charrier. Page designer Yovanna Bieberich makes visual elegance out of the photos and headlines selected by the editor. “California is fortunate to have such outstanding weekly in this circulation class. Top-notch news coverage, great photo usage and much-needed entry points into the front pages,” a judge wrote.

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