Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Iowa Falls - Times Citizen Entry Title: Best Special Section Editorial - Progress Entry Credit: Times Citizen Staff Judge Comment: A fascinating range of topics is showcased in this robust section, from quilter to movie theater to barber shop. Diverse entrepreneurial voices and descriptive writing tell the stories of the storefronts and other operations that frame a community, from the coin laundry where people want privacy to the movie theater trying to rebound from COVID-19 habits. Stories and photos place residents in the picture and illuminate the life stories, passion projects and challenges faced by their owners.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Iowa Falls - Times Citizen Entry Title: Best Special Section Editorial - Working Women Entry Credit: Times Citizen Staff Judge Comment: This section tells the story of women leaders in the community, from school to retail to emergency services, with interesting back stories on their careers and how the pandemic affected their businesses or working lives. The photos nicely capture them in these environments, portraying women’s own journeys and those of their community.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Washington - Southeast Iowa Union Washington Eveni Entry Title: Women In Business Entry Credit: Kalen McCain Judge Comment: This was a strong collection of profiles of women business owners with a wide scope of enterprises, some clever business names and a ton of personality. Interviews encompass tales of community spirit, developing relationships and the sacrifices of small business ownership. Especially appealing was the wide range of career stages and therefore, perspectives -- just starting out, six kids including a newborn, age 60 and going strong, retiring on her own terms.
