Jefferson City News Tribune education reporter Shelby Rowe nearly swept the 2016 Better Newspaper Contest with her education stories.
All the newspapers of Central Missouri Newspapers showed well at the contest hosted by the Missouri Press Foundation.
Rowe earned first place for "Lessons in Holocaust horrors," covering an assembly at Helias Catholic High School where one of few remaining Holocaust survivors spoke.
She also took second place for "Educators: Response to potential active shooter," looking at how local educators were reflecting on their schools' active shooter plans following the San Bernardino, California, shooting.
Rowe's story "Kindergartner without sight, not ability," highlighting how East Elementary School worked with its first blind kindergarten student, was named honorable mention.
City Editor Gerry Tritz earned second place in "Best News Story" for his "Citizens' guide to lobbying" story.
Opinion Editor Richard McGonegal took second place in "Best Editorial Pages" for the overall delivery of the opinion section on a daily basis.
Design Editor Doug Waggoner placed second in the "Best Headline" category for crafting a set of impressive headlines.
The News Tribune staff earned four third-place awards, including in the "Community Service" category for the entire staff's work on the "A Christmas Wish" series highlighting United Way of Central Missouri agencies.
Reporter Michelle Brooks placed third in the "Best Story About Rural Life" category for "Unusual Guardians," highlighting Lincoln University's Busby Farm's use of donkeys to take care of animal herds.
Shelley Gabert and HER Magazine won third place among alternative publications.
Assistant City Editor Rebecca Martin took third place in the "Business Coverage" category for ongoing coverage of community business issues.
Reporter Madeleine Leroux earned two honorable mention awards, for her election coverage in "Best Coverage of Government" and in collaboration with Brooks for "High Street Bridge" in "Best Story About History."
At the California Democrat, Brooks took second place on "Area residents sing with Sistine Chapel choir" in the category "Best Story about Religion" and third in "Best Story about Education" for "Mulholland brings encouragement to education."
Designer Sam Dudenhoeffer received third place in the "Best Front Page" category.
Brooks also earned an honorable mention in "Best Story about Education" for "Is cursive writing a dead art or a relevant tool?"
And former California Democrat Editor Paula Earls' story "Russellville community comes together in mourning" was named honorable mention in the "Best News or Feature Obituary" category.
Finally, The Lake Today brought home three awards.
Samantha Edmondson earned second place for her community service work with "Ghost Story Contest."
And Tim Leible won two third-place awards in "Best Sports Photo" and "Best Sports News Story or Package."