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
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
Second Place: Richard Chang
“Award-winning Beach TV News serves as diverse pipeline from CSULB to the industry,” Cal State Long Beach
Third Place: Mimi Ko Cruz and Heather Ashbach
“Leveraging inspiring futures,” UC Irvine
Best Feature Story, Sponsored Content
First Person: Greg Mellen
“Former addict thanks arresting officer – three years later,” Behind the Badge
Second Place: Greg Mellen
“Galactic achievement for Special Olympics athlete,” CUSD Insider
Third Place: Patrice Marsters
“Student-Led News Crews Build Skills and Confidence Through Elementary School Broadcasts,” Newport-Mesa Unified School District
Best Music/Entertainment Story, Sponsored Content
First Place: Greg Mellen
“Artist of the Year discovers passion for musical theater following challenging experiences,” CUSD Insider
Second Place: Richard Chang
“How the CSULB Wind Symphony’s performance at the Kennedy Center was the experience of a lifetime,” Cal State Long Beach
Third Place: Patrice Marsters
“Costa Mesa Student Releases Independent Album Using School’s Music Tech Lab,” Newport-Mesa Unified School District
Best Arts/Culture Story, Sponsored Content
First Place: Greg Mellen
“Learning Mandarin keeps Huntington Beach kids (and their mom) immersed and on the go,” CUSD Insider
Second Place: Richard Chang
“Discover the inspirations behind 60 years of public art at The Beach,” Cal State Long Beach
Third Place: Laila Freeman
“Going for Baroque: Gonzalo X. Ruiz balances deep commitments to his family and his music,” Signal Tribune (underwritten by Journalism Arts Initiative)
Best Food Story, Sponsored Content
First Place: Richard Chang
“CSULB alumna shares thrill of earning a Michelin star for Long Beach’s Heritage restaurant,” Cal State Long Beach
Second Place: Patrice Marsters
“Students Learn to Make Healthy Choices Thanks to Nutrition Lessons,” Newport-Mesa Unified School District
Best Feature Photo, Sponsored Content
First Place: Paul Rodriguez
Graduation, CUSD Insider
