The Orange County Press Club welcomes members to view a virtual presentation of the 2021 Excellence in Journalism award recipients. An in-person awards gala is scheduled to return in 2022.
Announcement Video
In Memoriam Video
Full Winners List
TRADITIONAL
Best News Story
First place: Scott Schwebke
¨Even in the #MeToo age, this woman got nowhere trying to fight back against harassment,¨ Daily Breeze
Second place: Meghann Cuniff
¨Amid an increasing homeless population, Santa Ana fights with Orange County over jail releases,¨ Daily Pilot
Third place: Erika Ritchie
¨Two investigations underway to find cause of Marine Corps’ deadliest AAV training accident,¨ OC Register
Best News Feature Story
First place: Brandon Pho
“In South OC’s Wealthy, Mostly White School District, Students of Color Tell Stories of Racism, Harassment and Inaction,” Voice of OC
Second place: Erika Ritchie
“A year after Marine disappears on High Sierra hike, family still unsure of what happened,” OC Register
Third place: Scott Schwebke
“After 36 years and a troubled life, transgender veteran finally wins honorable discharge,” LA Daily News
Honorable Mention: Roxana Kopetman
“Vietnamese refugee convicted of murder is free after 23 years, faces possible deportation,” OC Register
Best Breaking News Story
First place: Noah Beisiada, Nick Gerda
¨Silverado Canyon Burns Again As Bond Fire Erupts Under High Winds,¨ Voice of OC
Second place: Andrew Turner
¨Baseball community mourns the death of Orange Coast College coach John Altobelli,¨ Daily Pilot
Third place: Nick Gerda
¨OC to Ban all Public and Private Gatherings Under Emergency Health Order,¨ Voice of OC
Best Investigative Story
First place: Joe Nelson and Scott Schwebke
“Embattled Rialto Water District awards contracts to friends of new president,” San Bernardino Sun
Second place: Noah Biesiada
“The Great Park Tax: How Irvine Homeowners are Paying for the City’s Big Dream,” Voice of OC
Third place: Hannah Fry
“Kobe Bryant’s pilot had been disciplined by FAA,” LA Times
Best Series
First place: Keith Sharon
“Loud in the Silence” series, OC Register
Second place: Joe Nelson and Scott Schwebke
Series on the Rialto Water District, San Bernardino Sun
Third place: Norberto Santana Jr.
Series on the unemployed during the pandemic, Voice of OC
Best Beat Reporting
First place: Jeff Collins
Housing and real estate, OC Register
Second place: Spencer Custodio
Angel Stadium sale, Voice of OC
Third place: Scott Schwebke
Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, LA Daily News
Honorable Mention: Deepa Bharath
Religion, OC Register
Best Public Affairs Story
First place: Beau Yarbrough
“Is a minimum 664 training hours enough to become a California police officer?” OC Register
Second place: Daniel Langhorne
“After swimmer deaths, OC Parks studies new gate for Table Rock Beach Access,” Laguna Beach Independent
Third place: Tony Saavedra
“Spate of deputy misconduct cases casts harsh spotlight on OC Sheriff’s Department,” OC Register
Judges’ Comments: “A very good explanation of an important concern.”
Best Feature Story
First place: Jonah Valdez and Ruby Gonzales
“First robbed of freedom by enslavement, then robbed of life by coronavirus,” OC Register
Second place: Sara Cardine
“Goat herd helps clear up a hillside headache at OC fairgrounds amphitheater,” Daily Pilot
Third place: Shawn Price
“Dialogue on Diversity and Racism with Multiracial Families,” Parenting OC
Honorable Mention: Gabriel San Román
“He was one of the first black cops in O.C. His memoir reveals struggles with racism and why he was forced out,” Daily Pilot
Best COVID-19 Feature Story
TIE: First place: Peter Lefevre
“What Do Local Performing Artists Do While They Wait to Get Back Onstage?” Voice of OC
TIE: First place: Norberto Santana Jr.
“Santana: Latinos in Santa Ana and Anaheim Confront a Day of The Dead Unlike Any Other,” Voice of OC
Second place: Deepa Bharath
“Hospital chaplains fill role of surrogate family members during times of isolation, depression, death,” OC Register
Best COVID-19 Fallout Story
First place: Jessica Peralta
“Can Pets Get COVID-19?” Parenting OC
Second place: Christopher Trela
Executive Dining, OC Business Journal
Third place: Shawn Price
“Mom Power— Giving Birth to Premature Twins During the Pandemic,” Parenting OC
Honorable Mention: Susan Christian Goulding
“Voiceless victims of coronavirus: Quarantined nursing homes plagued by stress and loneliness,” OC Register
Best COVID-19 Investigative Story or Series
First place: Spencer Custodio, Nick Gerda and Noah Biesiada
“The Downplaying of Orange County’s Coronavirus Numbers”
Second place: Spencer Custodio and Brandon Pho
“Hospital Workers Ring Alarm Bells, Say Fountain Valley Hospital Could be Coronavirus Hotspot”
Third place: Ian Wheeler
“Lapses in state coronavirus data cause false plunge in Orange County case rates”
Best Election Coverage
First place: Collin Breaux and Lillian Boyd
The Capistrano Dispatch/Dana Point Times
Best Public Demonstration Story
First place: Brandon Pho and Julie Leopo
“Orange County Coastal Enclave Becomes Ground Zero of Police Violence Controversy and Protests,” Voice of OC
Best Round-Up or Best Of
First place: Brad A. Johnson
“Where to eat in Orange County in 2020: A map of the best places,” OC Register
Second place: Edwin Goei
“How an O.C. food critic navigates takeout and drive-throughs during the pandemic,” Daily Pilot
Third place: Anne Valdespino
“Perfect gift for the pandemic holidays? California’s fanciest chocolates,” OC Register
Best Business Story
First place: Jeff Collins
“Untethered from the office, urban tenants are flocking to the Inland Empire,” OC Register
Best Sports Story
First place: Kyle Goon
“For Lakers support staff, the bubble has been a frantic, collaborative effort,” OC Register
Second place: Andrew Turner
“Tony Ciarelli left his mark on high school track and field,” Daily Pilot
Third place: Richard Dunn
“Neither COVID-19 nor brain cancer can stop Jay Hewitt from completing an Ironman Triathlon,” OC Register
Best Arts/Culture Story
First place: Joel Beers
“Stages Theatre, a Mainstay for 28 Years on the Local Theater Scene, Closes Its Doors,” Voice of OC
Second place: Roxana Kopetman
“When a Christmas tip leads to a story about family, work and music,” OC Register
Third place: Kristina Garcia
“Black Student Union Members from Garden Grove High Find Their Voice and Purpose,” Voice of OC
Best Arts/Culture Review
First place: Paul Hodgins
“Hodgins: ‘She Loves Me’ Serves as a Fine Directorial Debut,” Voice of OC
Second place: Liz Goldner
“New Exhibit Dirty Elements Subverts Classic Art Tropes,” Irvine Weekly
Third place: Laura Bleiberg
“American Ballet Theatre Takes Us to Ancient Greece in ‘Of Love and Rage’,” Voice of OC
Best Music/Entertainment Story
First place: Peter Larsen
“Jimmy Angel’s an 85-year-old teen idol with tales to tell of Pat Boone, a lucky teddy bear and the mob,” OC Register
Second place: Kelli Skye Fadroski
“No Doubt talks ‘Tragic Kingdom’ at 25: The tears, tours and triumphs behind the classic album,” OC Register
Third place: Kelli Skye Fadroski
“Tom Morello talks Chris Cornell, Rage Against the Machine’s first gig ahead of new release,” OC Register
Best Music/Entertainment Review
First place: Peter Larsen
“Patti Smith brings passion and poetry to the LA Phil’s Power To The People! festival,” OC Register
Second place: Kelli Skye Fadroski
“What it was like to see Andrew McMahon perform a concert to socially distanced fans at Drive-In OC,” OC Register
Third place: Simone Goldstone
“Soundcheck: Queen Tribute Band Reigns Supreme at OC Fairgrounds,” Newport Beach Independent
Best Health/Wellness Story
First place: Susan Christian Goulding
“COVID survivors already fight stigma and worry Trump’s diagnosis will make it worse,” OC Register
Second place: Deepa Bharath
“Have coronavirus shutdowns, restrictions spawned a mental health crisis?” OC Register
Best Environmental News Story
First place: Brandon Pho
“Annual High Tide Spurs Concerns About Future Safety of San Onofre Nuclear Waste Stock Near South OC,” Voice of OC
Second place: Sara Cardine
“Costa Mesa’s Fairview Park Wetlands, once seen as a boon, bogged down by deficiencies,” Daily Pilot
Third place: Brandon Pho
“Conservationists Split Over Poseidon Desal Project’s Potential to Help Bolsa Chica Wetlands,” Voice of OC
Best Education Story
First place: Sara Cardine
“Push for reopening Orange County schools without masks has pro-charter school links,” Daily Pilot
Second place: Andrew Turner
“‘You can’t see through the masks the smiles’: Students return to class in Laguna Beach,” Daily Pilot
Best Food/Restaurant Story
First place: Bradley Zint
“Any way you slice it, a cheesemonger’s profession is serious business,” Daily Pilot
Second place: Roy Rivenburg
“Will the pandemic hurt the candy-industrial complex?” LA Times
Third place: Anne Valdespino
“Local chefs are turning to Instagram to sell directly to consumers,” OC Register
Best Food/Restaurant Review
First place: Brad A. Johnson
“OC’s Best Places to Eat 2020: And the Restaurant of the Year is…” OC Register
Second place: Edwin Goei
“Review: As restaurants pivot to delivery, this food reviewer tests out local delivery-only ‘ghost kitchens,’” Daily Pilot
Third place: Edwin Goei
“Review: La Farola Empanadas moves from the back of a Tustin liquor store to its own restaurant in Costa Mesa,” Daily Pilot
Best Travel Story
First place: Jessica Kwong
“Travel: Downtown Miami comes alive for Super Bowl LIV,” OC Register
Second place: Erika Ritchie
“Travel: Mammoth Mountain opens up after coronavirus shutdown,” OC Register
Best Profile
First place: Deepa Bharath
“Pastor builds huge TikTok following by sharing passion for chai and spiritual conversation,” OC Register
Second place: Peter Larsen
“Nearly 98, this man shook President Truman’s hand, befriended Dr. Seuss and Stan Lee and hasn’t stopped dancing,” OC Register
Third place: Susan Christian Goulding
“Los Alamitos councilman slammed for racist email in 2009 faces Black colleague in reelection bid,” OC Register
David McQuay Award for Best Columnist
First place: Patrice Apodaca
Daily Pilot
Second place: Norberto Santana Jr.
Voice of OC
Third place: Brad A. Johnson
OC Register
Marjorie Freeman Award for Best Humorous Story
First place: Susan Christian Goulding
“Chad and JT’s excellent adventure: Comics make viral video about Surf City’s ‘mask shortage,’” OC Register
Second place: Gabriel San Román
“‘You can’t laugh and be afraid at the same time:’ ‘Combating Coronavirus’ comedy provides much-needed levity,” Daily Pilot
Third place: Mark Crantz
“Applesauced,” Laguna Beach Independent
NON-TRADITIONAL or SPECIALTY PUBLICATION
Best News Story
First place: Greg Mellen
“Tustin’s police recruits remain dedicated to agency’s community policing, public safety mission,” Behind the Badge
Best Feature Story
First place: Greg Mellen
“CUSD student was finalist for Boys and Girls Clubs national award,” CUSD Insider
Second place: Elysse James
“Capo Valley High counselor recognized as High School Counselor of the Year,” CUSD Insider
Third place: Greg Mellen
“Aviation student set to soar at Tesoro High,” CUSD Insider
Best COVID-19 Coverage
First place: Elysse James
CUSD Insider
Second place: Cindy Arora
Behind the Badge
Best Music/Entertainment Story or Review
First place: Jessica Peralta
“Candle House Collective Creates Connections, One Creepy Call at a Time,” Halloween Every Night
Second place: Richard Chang
“UCI Music Professor Uses Technology to Build Bridges,” UC Irvine
Third place: Daniella Litvak
“Fireflies @ South Coast Repertory – Review,” the Orange Curtain Review
Best Arts/Culture Story or Review
First place: Brad A. Johnson
“Hotel Review: Cara, Los Angeles,” Brad A. Johnson, Food & Travel
Second place: Gabriel San Román
“Santa Ana Artist Reflects on Día de los Muertos with ‘And Still I Rise’ Installation,” Libromobile
Third place: Patty Marsters
“ICT streams performance of ‘Daisy,’ starting Oct. 24,” LW Weekly
Best Food/Restaurant Story or Review
First place: Brad A. Johnson
“The Disappearing Art & Rhythm of Chinese Tea in Hong Kong,” Brad A. Johnson, Food & Travel
MULTIMEDIA
Best Video
First place: Jose Hernandez
“May 30, 2020, Orange County Protests,” Voice of OC
Second place: Jose Hernandez
“Annual High Tide Spurs Concerns About Future Safety of San Onofre Nuclear Waste Stock Near South OC,” Voice of OC
Third place: Shawn Price
“Summoning the Ghost of Jacob Marley,” Halloween Every Night
Best Use of Multimedia
First place: Jessica Peralta
“Maverick Theater’s ‘Night of the Living Dead’: These Zombies Really Can’t Be Killed,” Halloween Every Night
Best Use of Data
First place: Brooke Staggs, Ian Wheeler and Alicia Robinson
“How Did Your Neighbor Vote?” OC Register
at illustrated the data were clear, colorful and useful. The graphics told the story of the data.”
Best Audience Engagement/Use of Social Media
First place: Norberto Santana Jr., Spencer Custodio and Sonya Quick
Voice of OC
Second place: Brad A. Johnson
Third place: Jessica Peralta
Halloween Every Night
DESIGN/GRAPHICS
Best Graphic
First place: Sonya Quick
Hate Crimes, Voice of OC
Second place: Nicole Lavanier
Escape the Overlook, Halloween Every Night
Third place: Sonya Quick (with James Gordon and Jacob LaGesse)
Live Election Results, Voice of OC
Best COVID-19 Graphics
First place: Jeff Goertzen, Kurt Snibbe and Nikie Johnson
Evolution of a Pandemic, OC Register
Second place: Sonya Quick, Caitlin Bartusick and Nick Gerda
Orange County CA Coronavirus Tracker (among several submitted), Voice of OC
Third place: Kaz Fantone
“This Is a Public Service Announcement—With Ghouls,” Halloween Every Night
Best Illustration
First place: Justin Pakneshan
Thriller, Halloween Every Night
Second place: Justin Pakneshan
Millicent Patrick, Halloween Every Night
Third place: Jenna Red
Edward Scissorhands, Halloween Every Night
Honorable Mention: Ashley Oliman
The Brain That Wouldn’t Die, Halloween Every Night
PHOTOGRAPHY
Best News Photo
First place: Julie Leopo
Photo of Elsa Hernandez, Voice of OC
Second place: Lillian Boyd
Photo from BLM protest, Dana Point Times
Third place: Richard Koehler
Photo of pedestrian killed in hit and run, OC Register
Best Feature Photo
First place: John Fredricks
Photo of the Bond Fire, Epoch Times
Second place: Brad A. Johnson
Photo of tom yum with fresh water lobster, OC Register
Third place: John Fredricks
Photo of Kwami Adzitso, Epoch Times
Best COVID-19 Coverage
First place: Steven Georges
Behind the Badge
Best Portrait
First place: Omar Sanchez
Photo of Reyna and Nina Gonzalas, Voice of OC
Second place: Julie Leopo
Photo of Joyce Perry, Voice of OC
Third place: Brad A. Johnson
Photo of Chef Susumu li at Sushi li, OC Register
Best Photo Essay or Slideshow
First place: Steven Georges
First Responder Gratitude Tour, Behind the Badge
Second place: Julie Leopo
Photos of a grocery truck, Voice of OC
Third place: Brad A. Johnson
Photos of best donuts, OC Register
SPECIAL
The Real O.C. Award is given to the story, review, feature, column, photo or broadcast/video that best captures something special, surprising, telling or essential about Orange County.
First place: Gabriel San Román
“The Fantasies of Ole Hanson, San Clemente’s Founding Father,” Gustavo Arellano’s Weekly
Second place: Brad A. Johnson
“Critic’s Notebook: Why I’m rating restaurants for their COVID-19 response,” OC Register
Third place: Brandon Pho, Julie Leopo
“In Wake of Raucous Protests, Santa Ana Residents Rally Around Clean Up,” Voice of OC