Division 1 winners of SFJ 2026 Excellence-in-Features journalism awards
The Society for Features Journalism is thrilled to celebrate another extraordinary year of storytelling excellence as we announce the winners of the 2026 SFJ Excellence-in-Features Contest!
This year, journalists from across the industry delivered work that informed, inspired, challenged and connected with audiences in powerful ways. The response to the contest was remarkable: Once again, we received close to 1,000 entries.
Several categories saw especially strong participation. Our General Feature (1,000–2,500 words) category attracted 100 entries across its three divisions, with General Feature (2,500+ words) drawing 93 entries, underscoring the enduring strength of long-form narrative journalism and feature writing across newsrooms of every size.
This year, 60 judges representing a wide range of journalism backgrounds generously volunteered their expertise and time to evaluate entries. We were honored to welcome many longtime returning judges and an outstanding group of new judges, whose thoughtful evaluations helped ensure a rigorous and rewarding competition.
To everyone who entered, judged, supported and championed feature journalism throughout the year: Thank you. Your work continues to demonstrate the power of compelling storytelling and the essential role it plays in our profession and our communities.
Congratulations to all of this year's winners! We are proud to recognize your achievements and celebrate the very best in features journalism.
The following are the winners in our Division 1 category.
Click here to see Division 2 winners. | Click here to see Division 3 winners. | Click here to see Combined Division winners.
DIVISION 1
Newspapers with 50 or fewer full-time editorial employees or magazines and web-only publications with a local-city-metro area focus.
FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS
These awards recognize the publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 18 categories. Points are awarded in this way: 20 for first, 15 for second, 10 for third and five for honorable mention.
First place: The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette. Eleven awards, including two firsts (Food Criticism, Sports Feature), four seconds (Food Feature, Food Criticism, First-Person Narrative Essay, Food Writing Portfolio), one third (Inclusion & Representation in Features) and four honorable mentions (General Feature – 1,000 to 2,499 Words, First-Person Narrative Essay, Feature Beat Specialty Writing Portfolio, Special Product – Digital or Print).
Second place: Deseret Magazine. Five awards, including three firsts (General Feature – 2,500-Plus Words, Arts & Entertainment Feature, Narrative Storytelling), one third (General Feature – 2,500-Plus Words) and one honorable mention (Narrative Storytelling).
Third place: Houstonia. Five awards, including two firsts (First-Person Narrative Essay, General Commentary Portfolio), two seconds (General Feature – 999 Words or Fewer, Arts & Entertainment Feature) and one honorable mention (Food Feature).
Fourth place: 225 Magazine. Three awards, including two firsts (Food Writing Portfolio, Special Product – Digital or Print) and one honorable mention (Arts & Entertainment Feature).
GENERAL FEATURE – 2,500-PLUS WORDS
Excellent longform feature storytelling on topics such as A&E, lifestyles or news.
First place: Ethan Bauer, Deseret Magazine, “The Price of Redemption”
Judge’s comments: What a read! This piece is both thought-provoking in a time of cancel culture and beautifully told. Consider these lines: “The answer was stunningly simple: We’re capable of more than our worst moments. And if we really want to move forward, we should never forget victims – but we also need to remember that redemption is not something that can be earned alone. It must also be given.”
Second place: Steven Hale, Nashville (Tenn.) Banner, “Beloved Neighbor or Decades-Old Murderer? The Tale of Doug Talley”
Judge’s comments: This fascinating story is extremely well-told, well-organized and well-presented. It’s a great reminder that stellar feature writing often goes hand in hand with excellent reporting.
Third place: Mariya Manzhos, Deseret Magazine, “From GOP Strategist to Bulwark Voice: Tim Miller's Journey”
Judge’s comments: A beautifully articulated piece about the disconnect so many people feel today. This quote captures that sense perfectly: “I honestly don’t agree with almost any of your politics, but I find myself listening to you more than any other news source. I need someone who sees the threat and isn’t bogged down in party loyalty or purity tests.”
Honorable mention: Robert Scheer and Tony Bartelme, The (Charleston, S.C) Post and Courier, “41 Seconds: Inside a Marine's Decision To Eject From a Failing F-35B Fighter Jet and the Betrayal in Its Wake”
GENERAL FEATURE – 1,000-2,499 WORDS
Top-notch feature storytelling on topics such as A&E, lifestyles or news.
First place: Brad Schmitt, The (Nashville, Tenn.) Tennessean, “A Tennessee Teen Lifeguard Saved a Man. How the Rescue Led to a New Start for Them Both”
Judge’s comments: This outstanding story features considerable character development, uses other powerful elements and carries an emotional punch.
Second place: Kelli Bozeman, Jackie Haxthausen and Riley Bienvenu Bourgeois, inRegister, “Martha in Wonderland: Fashion Designer and Artist Martha Gibbs’ Bold Creativity Shines in Her Own Whimsically Curated Home”
Judge’s comments: This fun-to-read story illustrates many of the setbacks suffered by fashion design Martha Gibbs and how the business responded. The amazing design enhances the storytelling.
Third place: Annie Aguiar, Lookout Eugene-Springfield (Ore.), “Under the Bridge, a Woman Who Wants Everyone To Have Breakfast”
Judge’s comments: This excellent piece shows how dietary accommodations are met in an outdoor setting as well as illuminating the conflict of having such a food program.
Honorable mention: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Daniel Giffin, Unbreakable Cancer Fighter in Colorado Springs, Dies at 17”
GENERAL FEATURE – 999 WORDS OR FEWER
Stellar short feature writing on topics such as A&E, lifestyles or news.
First place: Whitley O'Connor and Henry Hargreaves, (Oklahoma City, Okla.) Curbside Chronicle, “Three Last Meals”
Judge’s comments: The shortest entry in this category carries the most punch. The story features an excellent extended lede; a clear, succinct body; and an on-point ending. Much likely has been written about this death-row inmate, but Whitley O'Connor finds a different angle to further illuminate the prisoner’s story.
Second place: Brittany Britto Garley, Houstonia, “713 Day Is Houston’s Annual Citywide Holiday. Thank Rapper Lil’ Keke.”
Judge’s comments: This is an entertaining overview of Houston “notliday.” It can be difficult to make an annual event sound fresh and interesting, but this story gets the job done.
Third place: Jo Ciavaglia, Bucks County (Pa.) Courier Times, “More of Bucks, Montgomery Counties' Youngest Unclaimed Dead Find Final Resting Place”
Judge’s comments: This touching story falls in the category of topics that people probably never think about. It’s part of series about the unclaimed dead that other news organizations should consider doing.
Honorable mention: Adam Bell, The Charlotte (N.C) Observer, “Charlotte Will Be Alive Again With ‘The Sound of Music’ Movie at Carolina Theatre”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE
Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic.
First place: Ethan Bauer, Deseret Magazine, “Rewriting the Native American Movie Script”
Judge’s comments: Exceptional feature writing can paint a visual picture with words and make it seem effortless. This story does that, while dealing with complexities, contradictions, history and identity and using a bit of humor. Keen observations and a judicious use of quotes grab the reader from the start.
Second place: Holly Kays, Smokies Life, “Unexpected Family Connection Inspires Artist To Remake Historic Smokies Photos”
Judge’s comments: At first blush, this is a straightforward profile. But this remarkable story surprises us with its layered storytelling that seamlessly blends historical research with a young artist's skill, resourcefulness and sense of adventure.
Third place: Chelsea Grinstead, The (Charleston, S.C) Post and Courier, “What the Kids Used to Dance To: Tales of Carolina Beach Music Recall Breezy Tunes, Summer Days”
Judge’s comments: When I moved from the Northwest to the Carolinas years back, “beach music” was about the first term I puzzled over: familiar words on their own but wholly unique when smashed together. Enduring but on the wane, beach music is a strong piece of identity on the Carolina shores, and this story does a beautiful job tracing that history, what's been lost and what remains.
Honorable mention: Maggie Heyn Richardson, 225 Magazine, “After 79 Years, Theatre Baton Rouge Sits Empty. What Its Stunning Closure Means for Local Theater”
FOOD FEATURE
A single story focusing on food, excluding reviews or commentary.
First place: Thomas Lyons, Nosh, “On the Night Shift at Andy’s Donut Stop With Paramedics, Gamblers and the Slightly Hungover”
Judge’s comments: Thomas Lyons grabs readers with his terrific lede that includes the phrase “where one can successfully conduct commerce by pointing and grunting.” And he keeps his audience enthralled with paragraphs like this one: “By 6 a.m., the customers have become progressively less willing to talk to a reporter and less likely to tip. The shop is now a tool, a transition space, a task before work – no longer a destination for the determined or destitute. A liminal space, not a third one.” The writer displays a keen eye for detail, knows how to pace a piece and is respectful in telling unvarnished tales.
Second place: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Fufu and Fortitude: How an African Restaurant Beat the Odds in Denver”
Judge’s comments: Seth Boster beautifully captures not only the story of a restaurant but also what it takes to survive as an immigrant in America. We're drawn in by the vivid descriptions of the food and the telling-but-sparse use of quotes. Love this passage – “’Yes, dear,’ she replies. ‘Yes, dear. Yes, dear.’” – which tells us as much about the heart of the people at the restaurant as it does the place.
Third place: Ana Gutierrez, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, “How Mi Madre's Restaurant Grew From Migrant Dreams to the Heart of East Austin”
Judge’s comments: With bright writing, the reporter tells the tale of a place that has maintained its identity as the surrounding neighborhood has changed. Yes, the story is about food, but it's also about an evolving area of an evolving city.
Honorable mention: Sofia Gonzalez and Brittany Britto Garley, Houstonia, “In Houston, ‘Fusion’ Isn’t a Fad – It’s the Future”
FOOD CRITICISM
A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry.
First place: Robin Intemann, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Dining Review: Burgers at Crave in Castle Rock Go Way Beyond the Ordinary”
Judge’s comments: Can a burger truly be served between two grilled cheese sandwiches? As it turns out, the answer is yes. And that's just the beginning. Reviewer Robin Intemann takes us inside a Colorado burger joint, where the unusual becomes the usual. She also offers her take on many of the offerings, and she makes us chuckle along the way.
Second place: Amanda Faison, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Hungry in Summit County? Eat Here.”
Judge’s comments: If you're hankering for food in Summit County, Colorado, Amanda Faison is here to help. She gives quick-hit reviews of places you'll want to try, and she offers suggestions about what you should order. Excellent reader-friendly fare.
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING
A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.
First place: Ethan Bauer, Deseret Magazine, “Between Heaven and Hurricane Helene: How a Pastor’s Family Survived”
Judge’s comments: The remarkable thing – or one of the remarkable things – about this narrative is the writer’s ability to do several things at once. Ethan Bauer maintains a sense of tension throughout this story about a natural disaster – who and what will survive? At the same time, he doesn’t overdo it. He threads the needle between the heroism and humanism of his lead character. He moves with grace and ease between characters. At times, readers are placed in the path of the hurricane, but Bauer doesn’t tell us what’s happening – he shows us. And the writer achieves something many journalists wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole: an acknowledgement of the role that faith plays in the lives of so many people. It’s not a moment to proselytize – it’s a moment for the reader to experience an intimate relationship with a higher power.
Second place: Jenny Deam, The Denver Gazette, “‘I Felt This Sense of Peace’: Amid CBI Lab Scandal, Colorado Man Gives First Interview Since Release From Prison”
Judge’s comments: Popular culture – TV, movies, podcasts – might lead us to believe that when we read the words “DNA” and “murder conviction” at the start of a story that something amazing and dramatic is about to happen in a courtroom. Instead, Jenny Deam documents what is more likely in real life: the nightmare of the fallout of a corrupt official and the sometime- slow grind of the wheels of justice that follows. Bad guys – and good guys – are everywhere. But sometimes it takes years to solve the mysteries that lie in their wake.
Third place: Théoden Janes, The Charlotte (N.C,) Observer, “After Helene, Flood Victims Wonder: Should We Still Be Living in This Part of Charlotte?”
Judge’s comments: Hurricane Helene ravaged tens of thousands of structures – and it ripped families and neighborhoods apart as well. Théoden James takes us on a moving journey through a disaster that felt unprecedented but might have had some different outcomes if officials had made some different decisions as the nightmare unfolded.
Honorable mention: Natalia Galicza, Deseret Magazine, “Saigon Is Not Falling: The Story Behind One of the Largest Immigrant Communities in the West”
FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE ESSAY
An essay or first-person story that demonstrates a sense of proportion and perspective.
First place: Sofia Gonzalez, Houstonia, “How Menudo Came to Define Family and Holidays”
Judge’s comments: This essay stands out not only as a strong piece of writing with personal anecdotes but also as an example of real reporting with a bit of a history lesson.
Second place: Jennifer Brookland, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Selling Colorado Lifestyle to Young Kids an Incredible Journey for Midwest Mom”
Judge’s comments: This is a sweet tale about at first dragging kids outside and then later watching them forge ahead on their own. The story is an emotional piece about parenting that has helpful tips for hikers new to the area.
Third place: Jennifer Fulford, Smokies Life, “What Three-and-a-Half Days on the AT Taught Me”
Judge’s comments: This is an honest – and grueling – look at hiking the Appalachian Trail and would be welcome reading for anyone looking to tackle such an adventure.
Honorable mention: Stephanie Earls, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Pinball Wizardry Casts a Spell in Manitou Springs”
INCLUSION & REPRESENTATION IN FEATURES
Revelatory storytelling on any lifestyle or culture topic that centers on historically marginalized or under-covered communities.
First place: Gregory Laski, Pittsburgh's Public Source, “Black Sewickley Residents Preserve Their Surprising History Through Story and Film”
Judge’s comments: This refreshing story about a community is illuminating and features good reporting.
Second place: Laura Dean, Nashville (Tenn.) Banner, “Napier High School Rezoning Leaves Residents Feeling Overlooked, Again”
Judge’s comments: Kudos to the reporter for focusing on the students, who often are absent from education coverage. I also like the idea behind the project – picking a community story based on a ZIP code.
Third place: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Fufu and Fortitude: How an African Restaurant Beat the Odds in Denver”
Judge’s comments: Great hook of using the restaurant’s menu to narrate the story of this family. You can't go wrong when telling a tale about culture and family through food.
Honorable mention: Olivia Lewis, BridgeDetroit, “With I-375 Redesign, Detroiters Could Have a Chance to Right Past Community Wrongs.”
SPORTS FEATURE
Feature treatment of any sports topic.
First place: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Goose’s Way: The Baseball Life of a Colorado Springs Hall of Famer”
Judge’s comments: Expertly told tale about Colorado Springs native Goose Gossage, whose Major League Baseball career was marked by his brilliance as well as his outspokenness. Writer Seth Boster brings to life major moments in Gossage's life – both before he became a household name and after he became a star.
Second place: Jocelyn Grzeszczak and Grace Beahm Alford, The (Charleston, S.C) Post and Courier, “Spinning Forward: 67-Year-Old Charleston Woman Processed Grief Through Pole Sport. Now, She Eyes a World Championship.”
Judge’s comments: Enlightening story about the sport of pole acrobatics, which is akin to pole dancing but without the eroticism. Writer Jocelyn Grzeszczak focuses on one woman, and we learn how pole acrobatics helped her overcome grief. We watch her prepare for a competition and learn the reason that this pastime appeals to her. Photographer Grace Beahm Alford's images bring the story to life.
Third place: Amie Just, Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star, “‘Why Does Antrell Taylor 'Fight So Hard?' Because His Father and Brother Never Left His Corner”
Judge’s comments: This is a poignant piece about a University of Nebraska wrestler who was shaped and inspired by tragic deaths.
Honorable mention: Tyson Alger, Lookout Eugene-Springfield (Ore.), “‘Just Like Me Growing Up’: In Junction City, a Former Duck Finds What He Always Loved About the Game”
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
First place: Lauren Kessler, Lookout Eugene-Springfield (Ore.), “Food Insecurity in Lane County”
Judge’s comments: The writing is vivid; the reporting is deep. This project could have gotten lost in the sheer amount of data that is dealt with, but the reporter instead framed the wealth of information into a well-executed series.
Second place: John Beck and Kent Porter, The (Santa Rosa, Calif.) Press Democrat, “How the Nature Conservancy Came to Broker a Secret Deal To End Point Reyes National Seashore’s Ranching Era”
Judge’s comments: This series does an incredible job of tracking how this occurred, explaining who the players are and laying out what their positions are. The package also outlines the winners, the losers and the unknowns. It’s brilliant reporting on a complicated subject.
Third place: Yucheng Tang, ChicoSol, “Second Chances: Inside Mental Health Diversion”
Judge’s comments: This project features terrific reporting that covers multiple angles. It’s a great example of solutions journalism that includes what works and what doesn’t.
Honorable mention: Staff, Buffalo's Fire, “For the Love of Dentalium”
FEATURE WRITING PORTFOLIO
Three stories by the same writer from any combination of feature beats.
First place: Laura Tillman, The Connecticut Mirror
Judge’s comments: This portfolio is the epitome of strong feature writing: two huge-issue stories – one about Afghan refugees, the other about the effects of federal cuts – that are brought to life by people living through them and a third piece about a successful soy sauce brand and how it came to be. All are impeccably paced, impeccably sourced and impeccably written.
Second place: Blake Nelson, The San Diego Union-Tribune
Judge’s comments: Three wonderful reads about wildly differing topics – a San Diego cardinal, an interesting take on Comic-Con and a police force’s response to homelessness – show off the writer’s range.
Third place: Maggie Menderski, (Louisville, Ky.) Courier Journal
Judge’s comments: This portfolio is filled with invigorating writing, anchored by a fascinating look at Breonna Taylor’s friends and family five years after her death.
Honorable mention: Stephanie Kuzydym, (Louisville, Ky.) Courier Journal
FEATURE BEAT SPECIALTY WRITING PORTFOLIO
Three stories by the same writer on one feature topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
First place: Amie Just, Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star
Judge’s comments: This portfolio is a masterclass in storytelling with stories that are well-paced, heartfelt and deeply reported.
Second place: Blake Nelson, The San Diego Union-Tribune
Judge’s comments: This trio of stories about homelessness puts the reader “in the room where it happened” and features great reporting with an emotional center.
Third place: Tim O'Shei, The Buffalo (N.Y) News
Judge’s comments: This portfolio features elegant writing and rich detail and is a pleasure to read.
Honorable mention: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette
FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO
Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
First place: Maggie Heyn Richardson, 225 Magazine
Judge’s comments: This writer has found her voice, an essential ingredient, and she combines it with thoughtful, spot-on descriptions, like “the worn, whitewashed paint on the plywood floor” of an old restaurant that “reveals years of determined steps.”
Second place: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette
Judge’s comments: This portfolio is a close second. Seth Boster is a thoughtful writer with wit and a way with details, and I especially like the pacing of his foray into the $100 brunch buffet.
Third place: Matthew Odam, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman
Judge’s comments: The highlight of this entry is the ham-barbecue story, which showcases Matthew Odam's culinary knowledge and more than a little bit of sass.
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO
Three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials.
First place: Erica Cheng, Houstonia
Judge’s comments: A sense of place flows through these pieces. Whether writing about Houston's sprawling boundaries, the debate over what to call an increasingly more diverse Chinatown or weirdest-city aspirations, Erica Cheng offers insights into culture, history and other distinct characteristics of a growing metropolis.
Second place: Bridget Grumet, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman
Judge’s comments: These columns blend easygoing storytelling with thoughtful takes on public policy. Human impact is a main theme, plus impact on pets in one column.
Third place: Andrea Brown, The (Everett, Wash.) Daily Herald
Judge’s comments: Andrea Brown's “What's Up With That?” columns treat readers to conversational, quirky, witty takes about cheap barber student haircuts, men devoted year-round to short pants and a local shop selling kinky wear.
ARTS & CULTURE CRITICISM PORTFOLIO
Three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials.
First place: Jennifer Huberdeau, The Berkshire (Mass.) Eagle
Judge’s comments: Jennifer Huberdeau’s reporting and commentary places you immediately inside these stories. In each of these pieces – most viscerally with the preview of Steve Locke – Huberdeau guides readers through physical exhibit spaces as though she's the curator. Her interviews masterfully convey the intent and passion of the artists, and her art recommendations should not be missed.
Second place: Brittany Britto Garley, Houstonia
Judge’s comments: Brittany Britto Garley translates the vibrancy of Houston’s arts-and-culture scene with consistent authority. The “Porgy and Bess” feature stands out for its in-depth reporting and for its commentary about the piece’s rightful place within the operatic canon.
Third place: Théoden Janes, The Charlotte (N.C,) Observer
Judge’s comments: These concert reviews blend Southern charm with incisive commentary about pop culture.
SPECIAL PRODUCT – DIGITAL OR PRINT
The best example of anything outside of regular coverage. Could be a one-time publication or published more often, but not a recurring weekly product.
First place: Kelli Bozeman, Olivia Deffes and Laura Furr Mericas, 225 Magazine, “20th Anniversary Issue”
Judge’s comments: How do you involve readers in an anniversary issue? Follow the lead of 225 Magazine! Especially if the readers include an eclectic group of Baton Rougeans like the United Cajun Navy, Angel Reese and a family of restaurants famous for blue-cheese chips. (You will get hungry). This ambitious issue is well-executed with tremendous reach into and involvement by the community. You will find stories about food, fashion, corn dogs – and cake! (You will get hungry again). It’s not easy to carry an anniversary theme throughout most of an issue with this much fun. And the effort is so persistent that I thought the number of pages might be themed at 225 (it wasn't, but it had me thinking). Blow out the candles! I’m looking forward to the 30th, 40th and as many more anniversaries as this publication can muster.
Second place: Riley Bienvenu Bourgeois, Bre Pizzolato and Sally Grace Cagle, inRegister, “inRegister Weddings”
Judge’s comments: How do you involve readers in a wedding issue? Again, involve readers, especially those about to say – or witness – the nuptials. It's fun to read these well-photographed engagement-to-wedding day stories, as well as tales about anniversaries. In an unexpected touch, the section is devoted to home furnishings toward the end. A large paid section focusing on weddings and engagements is handled and labeled well. There’s a price point for every budget, from $35 dinner plates from a local florist to a $980 17th-century Delft charger from an antique dealer. Food, fashion, venues and details are covered so well that even I know what kind of thank-you note should be sent. This is wedding-day blissful reading.
Third place: Matthew Odam, Sara Diggins, Alice Bazerghi, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, “Austin's Best Restaurants of 2025”
Judge’s comments: First, please, a moment of intestinal respect. Eating at 40 restaurants – plus probably dozens more – went into the research for this issue. Where does restaurant critic Matthew Odam put it? Fortunately, for readers, into this section. You want a nice salad? A perfect steak? Foie gras on your birthday? Take this issue with you – or maybe read it first and then take it with you. The sizzling text is authoritatively written and well-organized, and the photography would make even a diner who’d been to 40 restaurants hungry again.
Honorable mention: Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Colorado Living”
