Nine current, former staffers take honors

Transcript Staff

The Norman Transcript took top honors as Best Newspaper at the annual awards banquet Saturday of the Oklahoma Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists at the Skirvin/Hilton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.

The Transcript competed in Division B, which includes newspapers with circulations from 7,000 to 17,999.

The contest drew more than 1,200 entries from across the state.

Transcript staffers garnered six first place awards, with nine current and former newsroom staff winning awards. Included were M. Scott Carter, Andy Rieger, Shana Adkisson, Julianna Parker, Meghan McCormick, Carol Cole-Frowe, Michael Kinney and former staffers Althea Peterson and Brianna Bailey.

Reporter M. Scott Carter won first place in the category of "investigative reporting by an individual" for his Moore Medical Center bankruptcy investigation.

Judges said, "Great work, in-depth but not boring; informative but not overbearing; raises questions, gives answers." ?

Carter also took second places in feature writing for "Veterans Day tough for one soldier's wife," and in general news reporting for "Spelling comes easy for 8-year-old champ."

Managing Editor Andy Rieger won first place in personal columns for "Texaco star fading as full-service station shuts down."

Judges said, "Fantastic slice of the community pie of something that will be missed. Lots of good quotes as well."

Copy Editor Shana Adkisson took two first place awards in best page one layout and news headlines.

"This is a clean layout with elements that catch the eye without confusing the reader. The use of the airplane graphic was a well-executed choice," judges said about her page layout about the opening of a Legacy Trail plaza, "Leaving a legacy."

She won her headline award for lines like "Down and derby" and "Weather snorecast."

On Adkisson's headlines, judges said, "These headlines have appropriate fun with roller derby and bad weather that was less bad than expected."

Second place honors in spot news reporting went to reporter Julianna Parker for "Six nabbed in drug bust."

Parker received an honorable mention in general news reporting for "Passport to a Nightmare."

Education reporter Meghan McCormick received second place in education reporting for "CSI: McKinley Elementary."

Municipal reporter Carol Cole-Frowe was awarded third place in political/governmental reporting for her coverage of Norman's curbside recycling vote.

She received second place in criminal justice reporting for "A night on the town," a story about an overnight ride along with Norman Police Officer Marcus Savage.

And Cole-Frowe received third place in entertainment features for a Father's Day story about her dad James Cole, "Model dad."

Sports reporter Michael Kinney won second place in sports features for "One Norman cul-de-sac has produced five NHS signal callers."

Kinney received an honorable mention in feature writing for "It's for Bella."

Former Transcript education reporter Althea Peterson took first place in feature writing for her story, "Big crane on campus."

Judges said, "Great lede, tight writing, colorful quotes and fresh perspective combine to make this an award-winning feature story."

She also won first place in education reporting for "Knowing Jack," about retired journalism professor Jack Willis.

Judges said, "Heartwarming, engaging tale of journalism prof's effect on his students. Judging from the writing, structure and sourcing in this story, Jack did a great job teaching his students well."

Former Transcript reporter Brianna Bailey received second place in Division A newspaper in the business features category for her story, "Got wine? Will Oklahoma grocers ever sell vino," written while she was interning at the Oklahoma Gazette.