(35 entries)

Judge: Dave Newbart, staff reporter, Chicago Sun-Times
Newbart recently traveled to China as part of a Pew Fellowship in International Journalism. He previously spent a year with the Chicago Tribune's reporter-in-residency Program.

First place
(Tie)
KATY WHITEHOUSE
The Payson Roundup
"The flag is all about freedom"

and

JEFF OFSTEDAHL
Echo Magazine,
"El condor casa?"

Whitehouse: "Top-notch editorial with a fresh and straightforward take on why we should be able to burn the flag."
Ofstedahl: "Great analysis of the meaningful lessons you can glean from two nesting birds who happen to be males."

Third place
DAVID HOROWITZ
HeatStroke News
"Happy Fatheršs Day"
"Touching story should make any child think about patching relations with dad."

Honorable Mention
MARY ELLEN CORBETT
The Bisbee News
"Hello? Hello?"
"Hilarious piece picks a fight with the evil phone company -- and wins."