Congratulations to the Winners of the 2025 Excellence in Journalism Awards

Winners of the Orange County Press Club’s 2025 Excellence in Journalism Awards were announced on June 18, 2025, at the Anaheim Hills Country Club. Congratulations to all!

JOURNALISM DIVISION

To qualify for the journalism categories, entrants must be a recognized journalistic entity, including print formats and produce content meant for public consumption that adheres to the following standards:

The INN (Institute for Nonprofit News) standards for its member news organizations, emphasizing editorial excellence, independence, and transparency, ensuring members produce original, fact-based journalism.

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics, which emphasizes seeking truth, minimizing harm, acting independently and being accountable.

The Associated Press industry standards for journalistic ethics, emphasizing accuracy, fairness, and avoiding bias or conflicts of interest.

Best News Story

First Place: Scott Schwebke

“Aliso Viejo residents claim herbicide spraying near their homes in making them sick,” Orange County Register

Second Place: Noah Biesiada

“How did County of Orange executives lose track over $10 million meant to feed seniors?” Voice of OC

Third Place: Hanna Kang

“What California’s plan to get insurance to high-risk fire areas mean for Orange County,” Orange County Register

Honorable Mention: Yusra Farzan

“Hundreds of ducklings hatched unexpectedly at a warehouse in Brea,” LAist

Best News Feature Story

First Place: Pat Maio

“Temecula’s wine country hits baby boomer skid as more vineyard owners opt to sell,” Orange County Register

Second Place: Jeff Collins

“Anguished homeowners struggle to keep their insurance,” Orange County Register

Third Place: Scott Schwebke

“Dream home turns into expensive, toxic nightmare for distressed Long Beach family,” Press-Telegram

Honorable Mention: Chris Haire

“Holy Jim was a sanctuary, but after Airport fire, it could soon become a memory,” Orange County Register

Best Breaking News Story

First Place: Los Angeles Times Staff

“Police arrest 47 at UC Irvine after sweeping protest camp, clearing barricaded building,” Los Angeles Times

Second Place: Tony Saavedra, Michael Slaten and Destiny Torres

“Federal investigators raid homes of Supervisor Andrew Do, his daughter and Viet America Society president,” Orange County Register

Third Place: Hosam Elattar and Noah Biesiada

“OC Coroner: Former Anaheim Councilman Brandman Died of Meth Overdose,” Voice of OC

Honorable Mention: Annika Bahnsen, Michael Slaten and Jonathan Horwitz

“Police take some protesters at UC Irvine into custody, break up Gaza Solidarity Encampment,” Orange County Register

Best Public Affairs Story

First Place: Sara Cardine

“Costa Mesa complex at the center of long legal dispute will be razed, judge rules,” Daily Pilot

Second Place: Yusra Farzan, Jill Replogle and Nick Gerda

“‘We f***ing started a fire’: Orange County records document missteps by officials leading up to devastating Airport Fire,” LAist

Third Place: Michael Slaten

“Disney plan to grow theme parks up for critical vote that will shape Anaheim for decades,” Orange County Register

Best Feature Story

First Place: Sharon Stello

“Heaven Sent,” Newport Beach Independent

Second Place: Jeff Collins

“Unfinished schooner landlocked in Trabuco Canyon seeks its next adventurer,” Orange County Register

Third Place: Samantha Dunn

“Why aren’t mobile homes considered among affordable housing fixes?” Orange County Register

Best Public Health Story

First Place: Noah Biesiada

“Orange County Leaders Ramp Up Questioning Of Another Major Pandemic Contract,” Voice of OC

Second Place: Noah Biesiada

“How Did County of Orange Executives Lose Track of Over $10 Million Meant to Feed Seniors?” Voice of OC

Third Place: Michael Slaten

“Health officials had ‘dire’ concerns at start of Tustin hangar fire. Worries since have eased, but not for all residents,” Orange County Register

Best Political Story

First Place: Yusra Farzan

“Santa Ana’s Measure DD could set precedent for noncitizen voting in California,” LAist

Second Place: Hanna Kang

“Why is the race for California’s 45th congressional district so close?” Orange County Register

Third Place: Hanna Kang and Victoria Le

“In OC’s Little Saigon, these voters share what matters most to them in November,” Orange County Register

Honorable Mention: Billy Fried

“We Finally Beat Medicare,” Laguna Beach Independent

Best Round-Up or Best Of

First Place: Anne Valdespino

“10 Orange County Restaurants That Have Shaped Our Image of Mexican Cuisine,” Culture OC

Second Place: Sarah Mosqueda

“No salad says L.A. like the Caesar. 10 of the best to try right now,” Los Angeles Times

Third Place: Culture OC Staff

“Fall Preview 2024: Our Writers Have Chosen Their Top Arts and Culture Picks,” Culture OC

Best Business Story

First Place: Andre Mouchard

“Southern California group, officials face return of old problem: child labor,” Orange County Register

Second Place: Jeff Collins

“Village at Orange closing its interior mall after 50 years of making memories,” Orange County Register

Third Place: Pat Maio

“Boeing Strike squeezes California aerospace suppliers, including Independent Forge in Orange,” Orange County Register

Honorable Mention: Christopher Trela

“Visit Newport Beach Finds Success with Creative Tourism Campaigns,” Newport Beach Independent

Best Sports Story

First Place: Haley Sawyer

“Ranching, rodeo and football: How Kain Medrano built his own success at UCLA,” Orange County Register

Second Place: Todd Harmonson

“Dodgers, fans honor legacy of Fernando Valenzuela before Game 1 of World Series,” Orange County Register

Third Place: Andrew Turner

“It feels like a dream:’ Minter miracle lifts Edison to Division 1-A state titlets Edison football to Division 1-A state title,” Daily Pilot

Best Coverage of a Live Event

First Place: Fashion Castillo

“OC Shines Bright For Christmas,” Voice of OC

Best Arts/Culture Story

First Place: Paul Hodgins

“Classical Music is Booming. Theater? Not So Much,” Culture OC

Second Place: Christopher Luu

“Malls are dead? As if,” InStyle

Third Place: Todd Harmonson

“Here’s how to have the most enjoyable experience at the Hollywood Bowl,” Orange County Register

Honorable Mention: Ashley Ryan

“Casa Romantica is Steadily Coming Back to Life After the 2023 Landslide,” Culture OC

Best Arts/Culture Review

First Place: Paul Hodgins

“Orange County Gets a Big Dose of Muti Magic,” Voice of OC

Second Place: Eric Marchese

“SCR World Premiere Paints a New Portrait of Joan Rivers,” Culture OC

Third Place: Christopher Trela

“Stealing Pulp Fiction Screens at Lido Theater,” Newport Beach Independent

Best Music/Entertainment Story

First Place: Timothy Mangan

“What Does a Conductor Do? What Will Alexander Shelley Do?” Culture OC

Second Place: Peter Lefevre

“Ukulele Against the Machine,” Culture OC

Third Place: Christopher Trela

“Newport Beach Composer Joseph Mulroy’s Musical about OC Surfers Gets Full Staging at Irvine Valley College through April 14,” Newport Beach Independent

Honorable Mention: Paul Hodgins

“Pacific Symphony in Transition, Part 3: Finding a New Conductor for Changing Times,” Culture OC

Best Music/Entertainment Review

First Place: Timothy Mangan

“Prieto and Pacific Take the Fifth (Mahler’s, That Is),” Culture OC

Second Place: Paul Hodgins

“Just How Great is Great Park Live?” Culture OC

Third Place: Timothy Mangan

“Matthew Halls Leads Pacific Symphony in Challenging Vaughan Williams,” Culture OC

Best Health/Wellness Story

First Place: Spencer Grant and Mara Casey

“BeWell OC Laguna Beach: The Right Help at the Right Time,” Laguna Beach Independent

Second Place: Shawn Price

“Starry Nights,” Parenting OC

Third Place: Shawn Price

“Are the Kids All Right?” Parenting OC

Honorable Mention: Spencer Grant and Mara Casey

“Home Sweet Home: Lifelong Laguna a Win-Win for Volunteers and Members,” Laguna Beach Independent

Best Environmental News Story

First Place: Pat Maio

“These Southern California startups are part of a growing epicenter of EV truck production,” Orange County Register

Second Place: Gabriel San Román

“Good sand is hard to find in efforts to rebuild San Clemente’s eroding beaches,” Daily Pilot

Third Place: Erika Ritchie

“What is it like counting 528,000 albatross nests on Midway Islands,” Orange County Register

Honorable Mention: Andrew Turner

“Grazing a path to safety: Laguna Beach fights fire with goats,” Daily Pilot

Best Education Story

First Place: Andre Mouchard, Michael Slaten and Teri Sforza

“UC Irvine leaders defend response to student protests in answers to Academic Senate,” Orange County Register

Second Place: Erika Ritchie

“Laguna Beach community questions decision to send autistic students out of district,” Orange County Register

Third Place: Mindy Schauer

“5½ months for a second chance? Troubled SoCal teens choose a military-style school,” Orange County Register

Honorable Mention: Kaitlyn Schallhorn

“Crisis in Gaza revives student activism that some considered long gone,” Orange County Register

Best Food/Restaurant Story

First Place: Anne Valdespino

“Why the Ecology Center Wants to Change the Way You Think About Everything You Eat,” Culture OC

Second Place: Brad A. Johnson

“America’s Next Great Restaurant,” OLTRE

Third Place: Cynthia Rebolledo

“Students Learn the Ins and Outs of High-End Dining at OCC’s Captain’s Table,” Culture OC

Honorable Mention: Jonathan Horwitz

“Old Towne Orange has nearly 50 restaurants. How did it become a dining destination?” Orange County Register

Best Food/Restaurant Review

First Place: Brock Keeling

“Israel-Hamas war weighs heavily on owner of Anaheim’s Knafeh Cafe,” Orange County Register

Second Place: Brad A. Johnson

“Season to Taste,” OLTRE

Third Place: Brock Keeling

“Darkroom, Orange County’s most ambitious restaurant this year, opens in Santa Ana,” Orange County Register

Best Travel Story

First Place: Edwin Goei

“This must be Long Beach,” Los Angeles Times

Second Place: Richard Simon

“Five Decades Later: My Return to the Amazon,” Newport Beach Independent

Third Place: Sharon Stello

“Cultural Immersion,” Laguna Beach Magazine

Honorable Mention: Brad A. Johnson

“A Never-Ending Feast,” OLTRE

Best Profile

First Place: Samantha Dunn

“Most influential: Darin Nakakihara keeps teaching, finding joy through ALS battle,” Orange County Register

Second Place: Brock Keeling

“61 Hundred Bread opens its first brick-and-mortar bakery in Santa Ana,” Orange County Register

Third Place: Jonathan Horwitz

“Cal State Fullerton botanist Edward Read tried for 7 years to make this water lily bloom,” Orange County Register

Honorable Mention: Sharon Stello

“Melding Art and Science,” Laguna Beach Magazine

Best Religion Story

First Place: Hanna Kang

“Will Orange County’s Muslim voters support Kamala Harris? For some, it’s complicated,” Orange County Register

Second Place: John Fredricks

“Somali Americans Reflect on One of the Most Dangerous Countries in the World for Christians,” Epoch Times

Third Place: Hosam Elattar

“Orange County Celebrates a Fresh Start This Spring,” Voice of OC

Honorable Mention: Hosam Elattar and Erika Taylor

“Light at The End of the Tunnel: OC Celebrates The Winter Holidays,” Voice of OC

Marjorie Freeman Award for Best Humorous Story

First Place: Billy Fried

“On the Can in Japan,” Laguna Beach Independent

Second Place: Spencer Grant and Mara Casey

“Rose Garden Wedding of Byrdie and Max Was a Howling Success,” Newport Beach Independent

Third Place: Mark Crantz

“Resilience,” Laguna Beach Independent

Series or Multiple Stories

Best Investigative Story or Series

First Place: Nick Gerda, Jill Replogle, Yusra Farzan and Ted Rohrlich

Exposing OC Supervisor Andrew Do’s corruption scheme, LAist

Second Place: Jill Replogle and Nick Gerda

Exposing a $275,000 no-show mental health contract linked to Andrew Do — leading to a full refund for taxpayers, LAist

Third Place: Sara Cardine

How one Orange County community college district found $8M of its own money, Daily Pilot

Best Election Coverage

First Place: Orange County Register Staff

“Voter Guide/Election Coverage,” Orange County Register

Second Place: Noah Biesiada and Hosam Elattar

“Funding Campaigns,” Voice of OC

Third Place: Norberto Santana Jr.

“The Real Judges of OC,” Voice of OC

Honorable Mention: Hanna Kang

2024 Election, Orange County Register

Best Beat Reporting

First Place: Andre Mouchard

Environmental coverage, Orange County Register

Second Place: Jeff Collins

Housing and real estate, Orange County Register

Third Place: Hosam Elattar, Spencer Custodio and Noah Biesiada

Auditing Anaheim, Voice of OC

Honorable Mention: Gabriel San Román

Disney labor and politics, Daily Pilot

Best Long-Form Feature Story or Series

First Place: Hosam Elattar

Santa Ana City Manager Settlement Fallout Series, Voice of OC

Second Place: Kaitlyn Schallhorn

Women in Motorsports, Southern California News Group

David McQuay Award for Best Columnist

First Place: Norberto Santana Jr.

Voice of OC

Second Place: Teri Sforza

Orange County Register

Third Place: Brad A. Johnson

OLTRE

Honorable Mention: David N. Young

Young at Heart, The Event News Enterprise

Multimedia

Best Video

First Place: Scott Hays

“From Saigon to OC,” OC World

Second Place: Rick Reiff

“Transforming the Irvine Ranch,” OC World

Third Place: Manuel Gomez

“Empowering Communities,” OC World

Honorable Mention: Jessica Peralta, Shawn Price and Eddie Monahan

“King Kong at Maverick Theater 2024,” Halloween Every Night

Best Use of Multimedia

First Place: Jessica Peralta, Shawn Price and Eddie Monahan

“WonderCon Unites Fans with Comics, Pop Culture, Horror and More,” Halloween Every Night

Second Place: Scott Hays

“Highlights from The Bowers Comic Expo 2024 in Santa Ana,” OC World

Third Place: Jessica Peralta, Shawn Price and Vanessa Vela

“Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales in Costa Mesa Turns 1,” Halloween Every Night

Best Use of Data

First Place:

Kaitlyn Schallhorn and Daniel Aitken

“These are the bills that OC legislators are trying to pass,” Orange County Register

Best Audience Engagement/Use of Social Media

First Place: Dorothy Elder

“”Ask Me Anything:” A live Q&A about Orange County’s 2024 November election,” Orange County Register

Second Place: Edwin Goei

“L.A. County’s Most Popular Sushi Restaurant is Inside a Supermarket,” Monster Munching

Third Place: Carolyn Burt

“In-N-Out Burger says it raised its prices,“ Orange County Register

Best Audio Storytelling/Podcast

First Place: UC Irvine School of Social Ecology

“Red County, Blue County, Orange County,” UC Irvine School of Social Ecology

Best Informative Graphic

First Place: Jeff Goertzen

Landslides, Orange County Register

Second Place: Malena Gonzales

Nosferatu Comes to America, Halloween Every Night

Third Place: Caitlin Navo

A Lasting And Lonely Legend: 60 Years Of ‘Last Man On Earth’, Halloween Every Night

Best Illustration

First Place: Jeff Goertzen

Thanksgiving Survival Tips, Orange County Register

Second Place: Caitlin Navo

Spring Heeled Jack, Halloween Every Night

Third Place: Caitlin Navo

Werewolves of London, Halloween Every Night

Best News Photo

First Place: Jeff Gritchen

Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires, Orange County Register

Second Place: John Fredricks

Migrant Looks Upon Immigration Polices being Made, Epoch Times

Third Place: Maximo Santana

OC Airport Fire, Voice of OC

Honorable Mention: Paul Bersebach

Peace, Orange County Register

Best Sports Photo

First Place: Keith Birmingham

Paris 2024, Orange County Register

Second Place: Keith Birmingham

World Series Walk Off, Orange County Register

Third Place: Paul Rodriguez

Unbelievable, Orange County Register

Honorable Mention: Paul Rodriguez

Out of Reach, Orange County Register

Best Feature Photo

First Place: John Fredricks

Migrant child, Epoch Times

Second Place: Jeff Gritchen

K9 ride, Orange County Register

Third Place: Brad A. Johnson

Lobster on the coals, OLTRE

Honorable Mention: Maximo Santana

Giant panda, Voice of OC

Best Portrait

First Place: Paul Rodriguez

A.J., Los Angeles Times

Second Place: Dustin Snipes

The Many Sides of Arash Homampour, Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine

Third Place: Paul Bersebach

Symphony Composer, Orange County Register

Honorable Mention: Brad A. Johnson

Mixologist at Tre Dita Bar, OLTRE

Best Photo Essay

First Place: Mindy Schauer

About Face: Troubled SoCal Teens Choose a Military-Style School, Orange County Register

Second Place: Brad A. Johnson

Closer Look: Les Mutines at The Brando, French Polynesia, OLTRE + Brad A Johnson, Food & Travel

Third Place: Julie Leopo

An Original Chicano Barrio in Santa Ana Gets a New Mural and Pocket Park, Voice of OC

The Real O.C. Award

For the story, review, feature, column, photo or broadcast/video that best captures something special, surprising, telling or essential about Orange County

First Place: Scott Hays

“The Power and Awe of Music,” OC World

Second Place: Ivy Dai

“Historic Laguna Beach Building That Was Once a Millionaire’s Private Art Museum Has Transformed Into a Public Arts Center,” Culture OC

Third Place: Jessica Peralta

“10 Years at The Frida Cinema,” Culture OC

Honorable Mention: Norberto Santana Jr.

“Santana: Finding The Real Judges of OC,” Voice of OC

Journalist of the Year

Nick Gerda

SPONSORED CONTENT DIVISION

These categories are open to agencies who are paid to produce content directly for clients specifically for placement in various media or for agencies who produce content for internal communications and consumption.

Best News Story, Sponsored Content

First Place: Greg Mellen

“STEPS program’s Turbo Cafe hitting on all cylinders,” CUSD Insider

Second Place: Greg Mellen

“Santa Ana Police Women’s Hiring Expo: changing culture, changing the world,” Behind the Badge

Third Place: Patrice Marsters

“Students Navigate the World in Annual Geography Bee at Lincoln Elementary,” Newport-Mesa Unified School District

Honorable Mention: Richard Chang

“CSULB Class of 2024 celebrates Commencement,” Cal State Long Beach

Best News Feature Story, Sponsored Content

First Place: Greg Mellen

“First responders ride waves of relief,” Behind the Badge