2019 BNC Winners Announced

The OCNA is proud to recognize the outstanding work produced each week by our member newspapers and showcase it to readers and advertisers. Thank you to everyone who submitted entries for the 2019 BNC Awards and congratulations to the winners in each category.

Thank you to our Gala Sponsor, Ontario Power Generation, for their continued support of Ontario’s community newspapers!

General Excellence Awards

GE01 - Class 1: Circ. 1,999 & under

1st place: Burks Falls Almaguin News February September

2nd place: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette February September

3rd place: Blyth/Brussels Citizen February September

GE02 - Class 2: Circ. 2,000 - 3,499

1st place: Winchester Press February September

2nd place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker February September

3rd place: Vankleek Hill Review February September

GE03 - Class 3: Circ. 3,500 - 6,499

1st place: Eganville Leader February September

2nd place: Niagara This Week, Niagara-on-the-Lake Advance February September

3rd place: Gravenhurst Banner February September

GE04 - Class 4: Circ. 6,500 - 12,499

Sponsored by: Metro Creative Graphics

1st place: Niagara This Week, Fort Erie Post February September

2nd place: Collingwood Connection February September

3rd place: Haliburton, The Highlander February September

GE05 - Class 5: Circ. 12,500 - 22,499

1st place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer February September

2nd place: Northumberland News February September

3rd place: Stouffville Sun-Tribune February September

GE06 - Class 6: Circ. 22,500 - 44,999

1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser February September

2nd place: Sudbury Northern Life February September

3rd place: Guelph Mercury Tribune February September

GE07 - Class 7: Circ. 45,000 & over

1st place: Niagara This Week, St. Catharines February September

2nd place: Oakville Beaver February September

3rd place: Ajax Pickering News Advertiser February September

GE08 - Class 8: College &University

1st place: Durham College - The Chronicle November March

2nd place: Fanshawe College – Interrobang November March

3rd place: University of Waterloo – Imprint November March

Honourable Mention: Algonquin College - Algonquin Times November March

College/University Awards

CU01 - Student Feature Writing

Sponsored by: Ontario General Contractors Association

1st place: Algonquin College - Jessica Alberga

2nd place: Centennial College - Amarra Shakira Mohamed

3rd place: Centennial College - Margaryta Ignatenko

Honourable Mention: Fanshawe College - Angela McInnes & Emma Fairgrieve

CU02 - Student News Writing

Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association

1st place: Humber College - Patrick Simpson

2nd place: University of Waterloo - Harleen Kaur Dhillon

3rd place: University of Waterloo - Varun Venkataramanan

CU03 - Student Photography

1st place: Loyalist College - Gagandeep Sarangal

2nd place: Loyalist College - Andrej Ivanov

3rd place: Centennial College - Ryan MacEachern

Honourable Mention: Humber College - Paige McGowan

CU04 - Best College/University Newspaper Website

1st place: Algonquin College - algonquintimes.ca

2nd place: Durham College - chronicle.durhamcollege.ca

3rd place: University of Waterloo - uwimprint.ca

Honourable Mention: Centennial College - torontoobserver.ca

Honourable Mention: Humber College - humberetc.ca

Premier Awards

PC01 - Arts & Entertainment

Sponsored by: Listowel Banner

1st place: Peterborough This Week - Todd Vandonk and Catherine Whitnall

2nd place: Voice of Pelham - Sam Piccolo

3rd place: Sarnia Journal - Cathy Dobson

Honourable Mention: Haliburton County Echo - Jenn Watt

Honourable Mention: Sudbury Northern Life - Heather Green-Oliver

PC02 - Best Business and Finance Story

1st place: Arnprior Chronicle-Guide - Derek Dunn

2nd place: Niagara This Week, Niagara Falls - Paul Forsyth

3rd place: Milton Canadian Champion - Steve Leblanc

PC03 - Best Editorial, circ. over 10,000

1st place: Brampton Guardian - Roger Belgrave

2nd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Chris Daponte

3rd place: Barrie Advance

Honourable Mention: Orangeville Citizen - Mike Baker

PC04 - Best Editorial, circ. under 9,999

1st place: Eganville Leader - Bruce McIntyre

2nd place: Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris

3rd place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Lisa Gervais

PC05 - Education Writing

Sponsored by: Ontario Journalism Educators Association

1st place: Oshawa This Week - Jillian Follert

2nd place: Cambridge Times - Bill Doucet

3rd place: Milton Canadian Champion - Steve Leblanc

Honourable Mention: Northumberland News - Sarah Hyatt

PC06 - Environment Ontario

1st place: Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - Kim Zarzour

2nd place: Carleton Place/Almonte Canadian Gazette - Tara Gesner

3rd place: Smiths Falls Record News - Evelyn Harford

PC07 - Feature Writing, circ. over 10,000

Sponsored by: O’Donnell, Robertson & Partners

1st place: Bradford West Gwillimbury Topic - Kim Zarzour

2nd place: Northumberland News - Sarah Hyatt

3rd place: Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - Kim Zarzour

PC08 - Feature Writing, circ. under 9,999

Sponsored by: O’Donnell, Robertson & Partners

1st place: Manitoulin Expositor - Warren Schlote

2nd place: Minden Times - Sue Tiffin

3rd place: Barrhaven Independent - Jeff Morris

PC09 - Health & Wellness

1st place: Peterborough This Week - Todd Vandonk & Catherine Whitnall

2nd place: Smiths Falls Record News - Laurie Weir

3rd place: Uxbridge Cosmos - Lisha Van Nieuwenhove

Honourable Mention: Brampton Guardian - Maryam Mirza

PC10 - Heritage

Sponsored by: Fort Frances Times

1st place: Oshawa Express - Dave Flaherty

2nd place: Niagara This Week, Niagara-on-the-Lake Advance - Beth Audet

3rd place: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Katrina Boguski

Honourable Mention: Orillia Today - Frank Matys

Honourable Mention: Parry Sound North Star - Stephannie Johnson

Honourable Mention: Peterborough This Week - Taylor Clysdale

PC11 - Best Investigative News Story

1st place: Voice of Pelham - Dave Burket

2nd place: Orangeville Banner - Chris Halliday

3rd place: Oakville Beaver - David Lea

Honourable Mention: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Christine Hudder

PC12 - Best News Story, circ. over 10,000

Sponsored by: Hydro One

1st place: Perth Courier - Desmond Devoy

2nd place: Muskokaregion.com - Alison Brownlee

3rd place: Wasaga/Stayner Sun - Ian Adams

PC13 - Best News Story, circ. under 9,999

Sponsored by: Hydro One

1st place: Glanbrook Gazette - Tamara Botting

2nd place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright

3rd place: Walkerton Herald Times

Honourable Mention: Aylmer Express - Rob Perry

PC14 - Best Rural Story, circ.over 10,000

Sponsored by: Ontario Federation of Agriculture

1st place: Orangeville Banner - Alexandra Heck

2nd place: Wasaga/Stayner Sun - Ian Adams

3rd place: Port Perry/Uxbridge, The Standard - Eve-Lynn Swan

Honourable Mention: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - Faisal Ali

PC15 - Best Rural Story, circ. under 9,999

Sponsored by: Ontario Federation of Agriculture

1st place: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Christine Hudder

2nd place: Eganville Leader - Debbi Christinck

3rd place: Voice of Pelham - Sam Piccolo| Dave Burket

Honourable Mention: Wingham Advance Times - Jordan Snobelen

PC16 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. over 10,000

Sponsored by: Hydro One

1st place: Vaughan Citizen - Jeremy Grimaldi Article #1 Article #2 Article #3

2nd place: Barrie Advance - Janis Ramsay

3rd place: Sarnia Journal - Troy Shantz

PC17 - Best Feature/News Series, circ. under 9,999

Sponsored by: Hydro One

1st place: Eganville Leader

2nd place: Voice of Pelham - John Chick| Dave Burket| Gloria Katch

3rd place: Bracebridge Examiner - Mary Beth Hartill

PC18 - Sport & Recreation Story

1st place: Sarnia Journal - Cathy Dobson

2nd place: Niagara This Week, The Leader - James Culic

3rd place: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Katrina Boguski

Honourable Mention: Cornwall Seaway News - Shawna O'Neill

Honourable Mention: Minden Times - Sue Tiffin

PC19 - Best Headline Writing

1st place: Voice of Pelham - Dave Burket

2nd place: Ayr News - Helen Hall

3rd place: Cornwall Seaway New Article #1 Article #2 Article #3

PC20 - Humour Columnist of the Year

1st place: Niagara This Week, The Leader - James Culic

2nd place: Haliburton County Echo - Steve Galea

3rd place: Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris

PC21 - Columnist of the Year

1st place: Mississauga News - John Stewart Article #1 Article #2 Article #3

2nd place: Manotick Messenger - Jeff Morris

3rd place: Niagara This Week, The Leader - James Culic

Honourable Mention: Eganville Leader - Johanna Zomers

PC22 - Reporter of the Year - Stephen Shaw Award

Sponsored by: Ontario Power Generation

1st place: Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - Kim Zarzour Article #1 Article #2 Article #3

2nd place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Joseph Quigley

3rd place: Vaughan Citizen - Jeremy Grmaldi Article #1 Article #2 Article #3

Honourable Mention: Ottawa Community Voice, West Carleton - Erin McCracken

PC23 - Best Feature Photo, circ. over 10,000

1st place: Peterborough This Week - Lance Anderson

2nd place: Scarborough Mirror - Dan Pearce

3rd place: Richmond Hill/Thornhill Liberal - Justin Greaves

Honourable Mention: Toronto York-City Centre Neighbourhood Voice - Justin Greaves (top photo)

PC24 - Best Feature Photo, circ. under 9,999

1st place: Arnprior Chronicle-Guide - Sherry Haaima

2nd place: Glanbrook Gazette - Tamara Botting

3rd place: Listowel Banner - Dan McNee

PC25 - Best Photo Layout

1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Kelly Waterhouse| Phil Gravelle| Chris Daponte | Helen Michel

2nd place: The Independent Serving Petrolia and Central Lambton - Heather Wright

3rd place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Sue Nielsen

Honourable Mention: Etobicoke Guardian - Justin Greaves

Honourable Mention: Sarnia Journal - Ronny D'Haene

PC26 - Best Sports Photo

1st place: Brampton Guardian - Riziero Vertolli (Last photo in slideshow: Sienna for Seniors)

2nd place: Barrhaven Independent - Mike Carroccetto

3rd place: Blyth/Brussels Citizen - Shawn Loughlin

Honourable Mention: Port Perry Star - Ryan Pfeiffer

PC27 - Best Spot News Photo

Sponsored by: Listowel Banner

1st place: Alliston Herald - Brad Pritchard (First photo)

2nd place: Renfrew Mercury - Derek Dunn (Third Photo)

3rd place: Haliburton Highlander - Joseph Quigley

PC28 - Best News Photo

1st place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Darlene Wroe

2nd place: Brampton Guardian - (Second photo in slideshow)

3rd place: Mississauga News - Riziero Vertolli (Third photo in story: Riley's aunt sat near the candles...)

Honourable Mention: Haliburton County Echo - Darren Lum

PC29 - Most Creative Grip and Grin Photo

1st place: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Christine Hudder

2nd place: Manitoulin Expositor - Warren Schlote

3rd place: Oakville Beaver - Nikki Wesley

Honourable Mention: Eganville Leader - Bruce McIntyre

Honourable Mention: North Grenville Times - Marguerite Boyer

PC30 - Photographer of the Year

1st place: Oshawa This Week - Sabrina Byrnes

2nd place: Haliburton County Echo - Darren Lum

3rd place: Ajax Pickering News Advertiser - Ryan Pfeiffer

PC31 - Cartoonist of the Year

1st place: Oshawa Express - George Longley

2nd place: Orleans Star - Sarah Chaplin

3rd place: Stoney Creek News - Mike Vukovich

PC32 - Community Service

1st place: The Haldimand Press - All Candidates Debate

2nd place: Uxbridge Cosmos - Federal Election 2019

3rd place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker - Fundraiser on the Fairways

PC33 - Best Vertical Product

1st place: Burlington Post - West of the City - 100th edition

2nd place: Bracebridge Examiner - Muskoka Life

3rd place: Caledon Enterprise - Sideroads of Caledon, Dufferin & King

PC34 - Best Front Page, circ. over 10,000

Sponsored by: Laurentian Publishing

1st place: Sudbury Northern Life

2nd place: Kemptville Advance

3rd place: Milton Canadian Champion

PC35 - Best Front Page, circ. under 9,999

Sponsored by: Laurentian Publishing

1st place: Fort Frances Times

2nd place: Eganville Leader

3rd place: The Haldimand Press

Honourable Mention: Vankleek Hill Review

PC36 - Best Sports Section

1st place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer

2nd place: New Liskeard Temiskaming Speaker

3rd place: Voice of Pelham

PC37 - Special Section, circ . over 10,000

1st place: Caledon Enterprise - 130th Anniversary

2nd place: Sarnia Journal - Sarnia Remembers

3rd place: Milton Canadian Champion - Welcome to Milton

Honourable Mention: Georgetown/Acton Independent & Free Press - Halton Hills Festivals and Events Guide

PC38 - Special Section, circ. under 9,999

1st place: Eganville Leader - Irish Edition

2nd place: Barry's Bay, The Valley Gazette - Christmas Wishes 2018

3rd place: The Haldimand Press - Farms Harvest 2019

PC39 - Best Feature/Unit Pages

1st place: Fort Frances Times - EMO Walleye Classic

2nd place: The Haldimand Press - Saluting our Heroes… lest we forget

3rd place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Broadline Rentals

PC40 - Best Creative Ad

1st place: Scarborough Mirror - Katherin Porcheron

2nd place: Manitoulin Expositor - Kendra Edwards (Explore Manitoulin)

3rd place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Lyelca Rodrigues (Emmerson Rent-All)

Honourable Mention: Deep River North Renfrew Times - Jane Barkley

PC41 - In House Promotion

1st place: The Herald Serving Thamesville, Dresden and Bothwell - Julli Archibald

2nd place: Sarnia Journal - George Mathewson

3rd place: Cornwall Seaway News

PC42 - Local Retail Layout

Sponsored by: Metro Creative Graphics

1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Helen Michel

2nd place: Drayton Community News - Alicia Roza (Freshmart)

3rd place: Fort Frances Times - Susan Taylor (Luv you Dad)

PC43 - Original Ad Idea

1st place: Haliburton, The Highlander - Lyelca Rodrigues

2nd place: Orangeville Banner - Janine Taylor

3rd place: The Haldimand Press - Jillian Zynomirski (Wash & Window Guy)

PC44 - Best Use of Colour

1st place: Fergus Wellington Advertiser - Jacqueline Furfaro

2nd place: Kincardine Independent - Jessica Beaty

3rd place: Deep River North Renfrew Times - Jane Barkley

Honourable Mention: Manotick Messenger - Ryan Birtch

PC45 - Best Community Website/WebPortal, circ. over 10,000

1st place: Elmira-Woolwich Observer - ObserverXtra.com

2nd place: Sudbury Northern Life - sudbury.com

3rd place: Cornwall Seaway News - cornwallseawaynews.com

Honourable Mention: Hamilton Mountain News - hamiltonnews.com

PC46 - Best Community Website/WebPortal, circ. under,9 999

1st place: Vankleek Hill Review - thereview.ca

2nd place: Parry Sound North Star - parrysound.com

3rd place: Burks Falls Almaguin News - northbaynipissing.com

Honourable Mention: North Grenville Times - ngtimes.ca

PC47 - ONLINE Special Initiative

1st place: Barrie Advance Article #1 Article #2 Article #3 Article #4

2nd place: Cambridge Times Article #1 Article #2 Article #3 Article #4

3rd place: Newmarket Era/Aurora Banner

PC48 - ONLINE Breaking News Coverage

1st place: Sudbury Northern Life Article #1 Article #2

2nd place: Burlington Post Article #1 Article #2 Article #3

3rd place: Caledon Enterprise

PC49 - Multimedia Online/Best Online Experience for a Story

1st place: Sudbury Northern Life

2nd place: Burlington Post

3rd place: Georgetown/Acton Independent & Free Press

PC50 - Breaking News Video

1st place: Caledon Enterprise - Robyn Wilkinson

2nd place: Bracebridge Examiner - Mary Beth Hartill

3rd place: Peterborough This Week - Taylor Clysdale

Visit www.ocna.org/BNCBooklet2019 to see the BNC Results book or view the entire virtual presentation by clicking the image below.

The Better Newspapers Competition website is now open for entries. Submit your entries in PDF format by visiting the OCNA BNC Competition website at OCNA BNC Contest Website.

Dates (Mark You Calendars)	October 1, 2019 - Submissions Open October 31, 2019 - Submissions Close October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2019 - Your entries must have been published in this timeframe February 14, 2020 - OCNA will post the top three finalists in alphabetical order at www.ocna.org April 3, 2020 - Awards Gala at the Hilton Garden Inn in Vaughan, where we reveal the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
Submission Types	PDF - Upload PDF files for all category entries, including those you are sending to the office in hardcopy (these require front page pdf only). HARD COPY - The General Excellence Categories (make sure you register for them online) as well as Premier categories Best Vertical Product and Special Section must be mailed to the OCNA address below. The OCNA must receive these hard copies NO LATER THAN October 31, 2019, so mail them early. Please send to OCNA c/o Awards, 37 Front Street E, Ste 200 Toronto, ON M5E 1B3.
Payment	Now made online at the contest website, and must be done by October 31, 2019.
Changes for 2019	Active Member Changes: Changed Criteria: Photographer of the Year -Include one photo from any four of the following five photography subjects: Spot News Photo, Sports Photo, Community Event Photo, Feature Photo, News Photo and a letter from the publisher/editor outlining the photographer's commitment to community journalism. New Category: Best Feature/Unit Pages - Entries should show an innovative approach to a traditional theme or development of a new theme. Could be a holiday (Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day) or a community event. Judging will be based on originality of idea including advertising presentation, quality editorial content, effective use of photographs. Aimed at generating volume sales, the section might be for a grand opening anniversary sale, or special occasion, etc. Entries must be run-of-press sections. Layout can be two to four pages. NEW Category: Breaking News Video - This award will recognize the best single Breaking News video presentation. Entries will be judged on quality of video, including audio and editing; creative and innovative storytelling; journalistic quality and impact. New Category: Best Printed Blooper - JUST FOR FUN - NO JUDGING! Despite all our efforts, bloopers still seem to slip past our editorial eyes! Entries in this just-for-fun category will be displayed at our 2020 Spring Convention and Awards Gala so we can all share both a laugh and a cry at some of the goofs we've made over the past year. Bloopers may be editorial or advertising, and may include comical mistakes, outrageous errors and/or hilarious headlines. General Excellence - Sports Section value has gone from 50 points to 25 points. Arts coverage has been added worth 25 points. College/University Member Changes: Changed Criteria - Best College/University Newspaper Website - Advertising has been removed from the criteria, and replaced with social media strategy.
2019 forms	2019 BNC Category Descriptions 2019 Rules of Entry 2019 Entry Tags - General Excellence 2019 Entry Tags - Special Section Vertical Product 2019 GE Judge Guidelines - Active Members 2019 GE Judge Guidelines - College University

If you have any questions, please contact OCNA Member Services Coordinator Karen Shardlow

e-mail at k.shardlow@ocna.org
by phone at 416-923-7724 ext. 4432

The OCNA is pleased to be able to recognize the passion you have for your profession and the outstanding work you produce each week! Good luck and thank you for your participation.