Sisters who rescued boys recognized for heroism: Carnegie Medals awarded a year after youths pulled from icy pond: Feb. 26, 2024
East Village Chicago Bears-themed bar to open Waukee location: Feb. 23, 2024
Could the Des Moines metro become a BMX hub? Organizers seek study on finding site for possible indoor track: Feb. 16, 2024
Johnston teen is creating an impact: He repairs hundreds of laptops, delivers them to refugees in Iowa: Dec. 25, 2023
2024 Iowa Caucuses
DeSantis rejects fed response for guns: Jan. 7, 2024
Ramaswamy pitches way to end Russia-Ukraine war: Jan. 1, 2024
East Village Chicago Bears-themed bar to open Waukee location: Feb. 23, 2024
Could the Des Moines metro become a BMX hub? Organizers seek study on finding site for possible indoor track: Feb. 16, 2024
Johnston teen is creating an impact: He repairs hundreds of laptops, delivers them to refugees in Iowa: Dec. 25, 2023
2024 Iowa Caucuses
DeSantis rejects fed response for guns: Jan. 7, 2024
Ramaswamy pitches way to end Russia-Ukraine war: Jan. 1, 2024
more_2024_iowa_caucuses_clips.pdf | |
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Ames Tribune
January 2021-April 2023
January 2021-April 2023
Iowa Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest (Daily Class 1)
2022, 2023 and 2024 first place award winner for coverage of education
- 2022 comment: "Really solid sourcing and coverage, loved the reporting and giving real people a voice."
- 2023 comment: "Good photos and video, along with a well-written cross section of educational topics. Especially good job of printing all sides to controversial topics."
2023 INA second place award winner for continuing coverage of Cornerstone Church shooting, with colleagues Ronna Faaborg, Omar Waheed and Grace Altenhofen
- One of my contributions: Ames church shooter’s record wasn’t shared between authorities: June 16, 2022
- Comment: "These types of crimes are difficult for communities, and I think this sort of coverage -- stories that tell who the victims were, stories that allow the community to grieve together, and stories that show how the system failed to protect (one of the victims) -- (is) crucial to helping the victims' families cope with the tragedy and helping the community heal."
- Also won first place for best breaking news story with colleague William Morris for initial coverage of the same shooting
2023 INA second place award winner for best breaking news story Sleepless night, dawn of a new world: Feb. 24, 2022
- Comment: "Nice piece about how the Ukraine conflict is worldwide and its effect on the local community. Powerful quote at the end to wrap it up."
A FEW MORE OF MY BEST STORIES
The Russian war on Ukraine:
Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra plays final U.S. tour stop in Ames: March 6, 2023
An Ames Tribune reporter took a personal trip to Ukraine. Here's what he saw.: Nov. 6, 2022
Ukrainians work to build new lives through Uniting program: July 3, 2022
‘See the light and the light in people’ Iowa, Ukraine friends talk about what friendship has meant in war: April 14, 2022
Ames family opens its properties abroad to Ukrainian refugees: April 1, 2022
Going deeper on other big stories:
Transitioning to natural gas; ISU burns the last of its coal: March 4, 2023
Weather station makes family part of history after volcano eruption: Jan. 21, 2022
‘Dirt Warriors’ reflect on their time in Afghanistan planting seeds of development, legacy of it: Nov. 25, 2021
First day of school in Ames: Aug. 26, 2021
Ames BLM week prompts community discussion on schools' role: March 14, 2021
Life stories:
Iowa State, UAE embassy honor late student with study abroad scholarship: March 12, 2022
Iowa State student remembered for faith, passion for weather: Jan. 2, 2022
ISU professor leaves legacy: April 22, 2021
A 'top-notch guy', 'a bundle of energy': Friends, Iowa State mourn two students who died in crew accident: ISU rowing accident: Friends mourn Yaakov Ben-David, Derek Nanni (amestrib.com): April 1, 2021
- I was also part of the Ames Tribune staff team that was recognized by the 2022 INA as first place award winners for best continuing coverage of the crew club accident that took Ben-David and Nanni's lives.
2022, 2023 and 2024 first place award winner for coverage of education
- 2022 comment: "Really solid sourcing and coverage, loved the reporting and giving real people a voice."
- 2023 comment: "Good photos and video, along with a well-written cross section of educational topics. Especially good job of printing all sides to controversial topics."
2023 INA second place award winner for continuing coverage of Cornerstone Church shooting, with colleagues Ronna Faaborg, Omar Waheed and Grace Altenhofen
- One of my contributions: Ames church shooter’s record wasn’t shared between authorities: June 16, 2022
- Comment: "These types of crimes are difficult for communities, and I think this sort of coverage -- stories that tell who the victims were, stories that allow the community to grieve together, and stories that show how the system failed to protect (one of the victims) -- (is) crucial to helping the victims' families cope with the tragedy and helping the community heal."
- Also won first place for best breaking news story with colleague William Morris for initial coverage of the same shooting
2023 INA second place award winner for best breaking news story Sleepless night, dawn of a new world: Feb. 24, 2022
- Comment: "Nice piece about how the Ukraine conflict is worldwide and its effect on the local community. Powerful quote at the end to wrap it up."
A FEW MORE OF MY BEST STORIES
The Russian war on Ukraine:
Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra plays final U.S. tour stop in Ames: March 6, 2023
An Ames Tribune reporter took a personal trip to Ukraine. Here's what he saw.: Nov. 6, 2022
Ukrainians work to build new lives through Uniting program: July 3, 2022
‘See the light and the light in people’ Iowa, Ukraine friends talk about what friendship has meant in war: April 14, 2022
Ames family opens its properties abroad to Ukrainian refugees: April 1, 2022
Going deeper on other big stories:
Transitioning to natural gas; ISU burns the last of its coal: March 4, 2023
Weather station makes family part of history after volcano eruption: Jan. 21, 2022
‘Dirt Warriors’ reflect on their time in Afghanistan planting seeds of development, legacy of it: Nov. 25, 2021
First day of school in Ames: Aug. 26, 2021
Ames BLM week prompts community discussion on schools' role: March 14, 2021
Life stories:
Iowa State, UAE embassy honor late student with study abroad scholarship: March 12, 2022
Iowa State student remembered for faith, passion for weather: Jan. 2, 2022
ISU professor leaves legacy: April 22, 2021
A 'top-notch guy', 'a bundle of energy': Friends, Iowa State mourn two students who died in crew accident: ISU rowing accident: Friends mourn Yaakov Ben-David, Derek Nanni (amestrib.com): April 1, 2021
- I was also part of the Ames Tribune staff team that was recognized by the 2022 INA as first place award winners for best continuing coverage of the crew club accident that took Ben-David and Nanni's lives.
Jefferson City News Tribune
December 2016 - January 2021 (my first full-time journalism job)
December 2016 - January 2021 (my first full-time journalism job)
A FEW OF MY FAVORITE STORIES:
Local LGBT students find support in one another, allies: June 25, 2017
Fitting the diagnosis; Nichols student designs mechanical device to help stroke victim recover: Feb. 22, 2018
- The scientist who sought help with his experiment commented on the story that he had gotten 30 or more messages in a matter of a few hours after the story was published, enough offers to cover the area between Jefferson City and Camdenton.
Mother, daughter share Teacher of the Year awards and devotion to kindness: May 14, 2017
Local 'Treasure Island' performances set sail: Jan. 4, 2018
AWARD-WINNING STORIES:
Missouri Press Association's Better Newspaper Contest (in Dailies - class 2 division)
2021:
Third place (with fellow reporter Jeff Haldiman) in Best Breaking News: 'No justice, no peace' More than 1,000 protest racism, call for social justice in Capitol City: June 2, 2020
2020:
Third place in Best Story about Education: Matter of degrees: April 28, 2019
Third place in Best Story about the Outdoors: Birds, binoculars and back roads: Dec. 29, 2019
2019:
Third place in Best Story about Education: Wiggle, wobble, bounce; Local teachers try alternative seating for students: Sept. 9, 2018
2018:
Second place in Best Story about Education: Kinship over diversity; JCPS, Columbia face similar challenges; educators collaborate on approaches: Dec. 17, 2017
Third place in Best Military Story: 2017 graduates reflect on military decision: May 28, 2017
Third place in Best News Story: Shake it out; Earthquake drill highlights some longtime faults in state's preparedness: Oct. 20, 2017
Third place in Best Story about Religion: Guidelines to allow 'non-traditional' families in Catholic schools draw concerns; Division in the diocese: June 4, 2017
The Kansas City Press Club's Heart of America Awards (in Print daily under 30,000 subscribers)
2019:
Silver Award - Beat Reporting, for Jefferson City Public Schools; also won the same award in 2018
Silver Award - Investigative Reporting, for package of stories analyzing the finances of Westminster College
Bronze Award - Profile, for Area grad to catch flight to future as Air Force officer: May 27, 2018
2018:
Silver Award - Profile, for The watch comes off during 'Not a Genuine Black Man' performance; JCHS student wins 2nd at speech and debate nationals with powerful prose presentation: July 2, 2017
- The performance by JCHS student Mitchell Huston was an excerpt from a book by San Francisco, California radio talk show host Brian Copeland. Copeland and his daughter/radio producer, Carolyn Copeland, read my story "and (Brian) was so touched by (Huston's) performance. He's looking to get in touch with Mitchell directly. We noticed he doesn't have a Facebook, so we were hoping you could put us in contact with him." I did (through Huston's coach), and that was a cool moment.
Gold Award - Deadline Reporting/Breaking News/Spot News, for Carbon monoxide poisoning claims two lives:
Missouri State Teachers Association's Education Media Awards
2018:
Daily Newspaper General Coverage, Parent educator quick to respond to child's needs after car crash: Sept. 9, 2017
- The Board of Education for JCPS publicly recognized Sara Gretlein for her service in October 2017, as a direct result of our coverage.
Daily Newspaper Series: Concerns about diversity, inclusion and equity (Note: my News Tribune colleagues Nicole Roberts, Philip Joens and Jeff Haldiman reported stories on Jefferson City's discussions about diversity and racism, too, but the MSTA recognized me for the school district-focused stories among those listed, as well as others I submitted.)
Missouri Associated Press Media Editors' awards (Division 3)
2017:
First and second place in Headline Writing:
OTHER STORIES OF MINE AMONG MY FAVORITES:
Local (school) community responses and connections to the catastrophes of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season:
Local LGBT students find support in one another, allies: June 25, 2017
Fitting the diagnosis; Nichols student designs mechanical device to help stroke victim recover: Feb. 22, 2018
- "Editor's Note: Dolores Forck, one of the subjects of (Fitting the diagnosis) published Feb. 22, died Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. Access her obituary online here."
- The scientist who sought help with his experiment commented on the story that he had gotten 30 or more messages in a matter of a few hours after the story was published, enough offers to cover the area between Jefferson City and Camdenton.
Mother, daughter share Teacher of the Year awards and devotion to kindness: May 14, 2017
Local 'Treasure Island' performances set sail: Jan. 4, 2018
AWARD-WINNING STORIES:
Missouri Press Association's Better Newspaper Contest (in Dailies - class 2 division)
2021:
Third place (with fellow reporter Jeff Haldiman) in Best Breaking News: 'No justice, no peace' More than 1,000 protest racism, call for social justice in Capitol City: June 2, 2020
2020:
Third place in Best Story about Education: Matter of degrees: April 28, 2019
Third place in Best Story about the Outdoors: Birds, binoculars and back roads: Dec. 29, 2019
2019:
Third place in Best Story about Education: Wiggle, wobble, bounce; Local teachers try alternative seating for students: Sept. 9, 2018
2018:
Second place in Best Story about Education: Kinship over diversity; JCPS, Columbia face similar challenges; educators collaborate on approaches: Dec. 17, 2017
Third place in Best Military Story: 2017 graduates reflect on military decision: May 28, 2017
Third place in Best News Story: Shake it out; Earthquake drill highlights some longtime faults in state's preparedness: Oct. 20, 2017
Third place in Best Story about Religion: Guidelines to allow 'non-traditional' families in Catholic schools draw concerns; Division in the diocese: June 4, 2017
The Kansas City Press Club's Heart of America Awards (in Print daily under 30,000 subscribers)
2019:
Silver Award - Beat Reporting, for Jefferson City Public Schools; also won the same award in 2018
Silver Award - Investigative Reporting, for package of stories analyzing the finances of Westminster College
Bronze Award - Profile, for Area grad to catch flight to future as Air Force officer: May 27, 2018
2018:
Silver Award - Profile, for The watch comes off during 'Not a Genuine Black Man' performance; JCHS student wins 2nd at speech and debate nationals with powerful prose presentation: July 2, 2017
- The performance by JCHS student Mitchell Huston was an excerpt from a book by San Francisco, California radio talk show host Brian Copeland. Copeland and his daughter/radio producer, Carolyn Copeland, read my story "and (Brian) was so touched by (Huston's) performance. He's looking to get in touch with Mitchell directly. We noticed he doesn't have a Facebook, so we were hoping you could put us in contact with him." I did (through Huston's coach), and that was a cool moment.
Gold Award - Deadline Reporting/Breaking News/Spot News, for Carbon monoxide poisoning claims two lives:
- 1 dead, 2 in critical condition from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning: July 22, 2017
- Weekend carbon monoxide incident claims second life: July 24, 2017
Missouri State Teachers Association's Education Media Awards
2018:
Daily Newspaper General Coverage, Parent educator quick to respond to child's needs after car crash: Sept. 9, 2017
- The Board of Education for JCPS publicly recognized Sara Gretlein for her service in October 2017, as a direct result of our coverage.
Daily Newspaper Series: Concerns about diversity, inclusion and equity (Note: my News Tribune colleagues Nicole Roberts, Philip Joens and Jeff Haldiman reported stories on Jefferson City's discussions about diversity and racism, too, but the MSTA recognized me for the school district-focused stories among those listed, as well as others I submitted.)
Missouri Associated Press Media Editors' awards (Division 3)
2017:
First and second place in Headline Writing:
- First place: The watch comes off. Judges' comment: "Ultimately, this headline lured me into the story because I didn't understand the connection. I had to read the story to understand the headline."
- Second place: Show-Me Sunshine; Missouri work crews help Florida recover from hurricane: Sept. 23, 2017. Judges' comment: "I liked the positive spin on the Show-Me State."
OTHER STORIES OF MINE AMONG MY FAVORITES:
Local (school) community responses and connections to the catastrophes of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season:
- Two storms, three communities tied together: Sept. 3, 2017
- Local schools rally to help hurricane victims: Sept. 10, 2017
- Jefferson City natives struggle to leave Florida: Sept. 10, 2017
- Irma's crisis over for some former Jefferson Citians, continues for another: Sept. 14, 2017
- Hurricanes bring flood of donations from local schools: Sept. 17, 2017
- Blair Oaks tackles Harvey needs; Falcons worked with Pirates to take others under their wing: Sept. 21, 2017
- Candy, soda sales sweeten cash haul for hurricane relief: Oct. 8, 2017
- Jefferson City woman seeks help to reunite family after hurricane: Nov. 12, 2017
- Boys & Girls Club becomes home away from home for young St. Crucians: Dec. 22, 2017
- Local community still focused on hurricanes’ aftermath: Dec. 28, 2017
Decoding Science
Wrote, shot photos and created social media posts for stories about developments,
discoveries and events within Bond Life Sciences Center community. For a full list of clips, please visit https://decodingscience.missouri.edu/. There is not a paywall.
June - December 2016
Wrote, shot photos and created social media posts for stories about developments,
discoveries and events within Bond Life Sciences Center community. For a full list of clips, please visit https://decodingscience.missouri.edu/. There is not a paywall.
June - December 2016
An enzymatic future: Inter-departmental MU team aims to improve enzyme use and recovery for spectrum of industrial, medical and military applications:
decodingscience.missouri.edu/2016/09/28/an-enzymatic-future/
The seeds of progress: Efforts to understand the genome of one plant through its many genetic varieties could lead to nutritional improvements in the staple crops billions of people depend on: decodingscience.missouri.edu/2016/10/11/the-seeds-of-progress/
Under the hood: The safety behind studying deadly disease: decodingscience.missouri.edu/2016/06/29/under-the-hood/
Finding hope by fixing a gene: Lorson lab publishes research on a new therapeutic path to help treat spinal muscular atrophy: decodingscience.missouri.edu/2016/07/21/finding-hope-by-fixing-a-gene/
Building blocks of life in the lab could revolutionize life for us all: NASA, NIH-funded work seeks to understand bio-chemical mechanisms of life on Earth, and among the stars: decodingscience.missouri.edu/2016/09/02/building-blocks-of-life-in-the-lab-could-revolutionize-life-for-us-all/
decodingscience.missouri.edu/2016/09/28/an-enzymatic-future/
The seeds of progress: Efforts to understand the genome of one plant through its many genetic varieties could lead to nutritional improvements in the staple crops billions of people depend on: decodingscience.missouri.edu/2016/10/11/the-seeds-of-progress/
Under the hood: The safety behind studying deadly disease: decodingscience.missouri.edu/2016/06/29/under-the-hood/
Finding hope by fixing a gene: Lorson lab publishes research on a new therapeutic path to help treat spinal muscular atrophy: decodingscience.missouri.edu/2016/07/21/finding-hope-by-fixing-a-gene/
Building blocks of life in the lab could revolutionize life for us all: NASA, NIH-funded work seeks to understand bio-chemical mechanisms of life on Earth, and among the stars: decodingscience.missouri.edu/2016/09/02/building-blocks-of-life-in-the-lab-could-revolutionize-life-for-us-all/
Columbia Missourian
May - August 2015
I reported general assignment stories and articles the first week of our summer class session (everything from a governor's visit, a commemoration of a historic black neighborhood and a union complaint at a local construction site to a high school graduation, the local effects of a national recall and a manhunt following a double-murder), then focused on more in-depth stories:
May - August 2015
I reported general assignment stories and articles the first week of our summer class session (everything from a governor's visit, a commemoration of a historic black neighborhood and a union complaint at a local construction site to a high school graduation, the local effects of a national recall and a manhunt following a double-murder), then focused on more in-depth stories:
Gearing up to repair Grissum; July 29
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Fueling the fire; July 21
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Extending the tax, expanding the roads; July 16
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Local dads share their values, insights and memories; June 21: http://bit.ly/1VDBEsJ
Tornadoes rare, warnings common in Boone County; June 18
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Jefferson City News Tribune
December 2014 - May 2015
I wasn't an employee of the News Tribune then, but as my Missourian state government beat wrapped up (see next set of clips below), I still dropped by and did a few things.
Select clips.
December 2014 - May 2015
I wasn't an employee of the News Tribune then, but as my Missourian state government beat wrapped up (see next set of clips below), I still dropped by and did a few things.
Select clips.
Protesters: March is over but journey must continue; Dec. 6, 2014: http://bit.ly/1rrJqKf
Social Media Coverage of Protests at and near Jefferson City/State Capitol
All photos and videos shot with a personal Samsung Galaxy S4 mobile phone
All photos and videos shot with a personal Samsung Galaxy S4 mobile phone
Arrival of NAACP's Journey for Justice march from Ferguson into Jefferson City, MO and related protests inside and near Missouri State Capitol; Dec. 5, 2014: http://bit.ly/1A1A34u, http://bit.ly/1Ac5xpZ, http://bit.ly/1BdRVJ6, http://bit.ly/1JVX3Y6
NAACP's Journey for Justice march on highway from Ferguson to Jefferson City, MO; Dec. 4, 2014: http://bit.ly/1xrqL3L, http://bit.ly/13C3H4B
Students hold brief protest at Missouri Capitol; Nov. 25, 2014: http://bit.ly/1xqUTwf
NAACP's Journey for Justice march on highway from Ferguson to Jefferson City, MO; Dec. 4, 2014: http://bit.ly/1xrqL3L, http://bit.ly/13C3H4B
Students hold brief protest at Missouri Capitol; Nov. 25, 2014: http://bit.ly/1xqUTwf
Columbia Missourian
August - December 2014
After a boot camp course in August, I was on the state government beat, working out of the offices of the News Tribune in Jefferson City.
August - December 2014
After a boot camp course in August, I was on the state government beat, working out of the offices of the News Tribune in Jefferson City.
Year after son's fatal high school football injury, parents demand better safety policies; Nov. 3, 2014: http://bit.ly/1rVDoLB
(My first story there) Columbia bow hunters learn ground rules for pursuing urban deer; Aug. 20, 2014: http://bit.ly/1p01tPJ
(My first story there) Columbia bow hunters learn ground rules for pursuing urban deer; Aug. 20, 2014: http://bit.ly/1p01tPJ
Sauk Valley Sun
Monthly, 24,000+ copy direct-mailed to home and business community features print paper
http://www.saukvalleysun.com/
September 2013 - August 2014
Monthly, 24,000+ copy direct-mailed to home and business community features print paper
http://www.saukvalleysun.com/
September 2013 - August 2014
FEATURES:
Interview with two local high school-age digital filmmakers:
local_boys_launch_film_career_one_youtube_video_at_a_time.jpg | |
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Sauk Valley Red Tail
Online, rolling-publication student newspaper at 3,000 student Sauk Valley Community College
August - December 2013
Online, rolling-publication student newspaper at 3,000 student Sauk Valley Community College
August - December 2013
NEWS & FEATURES:
Rock Falls-Sterling fire departments' administrative consolidation
joint-administrative_consolidation_strengthens_rock_falls_and_sterling_fire_departments.pdf | |
File Size: | 83 kb |
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New Illinois cellphone and driving laws
new_driving_laws_will_affect_consequences_of_cellphone_usage_on_illinois_roads.pdf | |
File Size: | 82 kb |
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InDesign and Photoshop Work
January - May 2014
January - May 2014
Classroom entertainment magazine feature project (originally-produced cover, photo spread and article on Dir. Gareth Edwards's "Godzilla"):
phillip_sitter_godzilla_article.pdf | |
File Size: | 961 kb |
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Classroom newspaper photo spread project (travel page photo spread on Barataria Preserve in Louisiana):
phillip_sitter_louisiana_bayou_photo_spread.jpg | |
File Size: | 1498 kb |
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Classroom news page midterm (all articles are from third parties):
phillip_sitter_midterm.jpg | |
File Size: | 1195 kb |
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psitter@gannett.com ‖ @pslifeisabeauty