Seventeen members of Nebraska Press Women won awards in the 2026 Professional Communications Contest. Awards were presented at the group’s spring meeting in Lincoln April 25.
The contest accepts entries in 56 categories, including print and online journalism, public relations, websites, books, magazines, radio, television and more.
Lori Potter of Kearney, a freelance writer whose articles appear in the Flatwater Free Press, the Minden Courier and Harvest News, took home 17 awards, including 10 first place, four second place, two third place and one honorable mention.
Mary Jane Skala of Kearney, a general assignment reporter and personal columnist for the Kearney Hub, won 15 awards, including nine first place, five second place and one honorable mention.
Melanie Wilkinson of York, editor of the online publication justmelaniew.com, won eight awards, including three first place, two second place, two third place and one honorable mention.
Four staff writers from the Flatwater Free Press won 10 awards collectively, including five first place, four second place and one third place.
Out of 109 entries in the contest, 28 won first place in their respective categories and were forwarded to the National Federation of Press Women’s 2026 Professional Communications Contest. Winners in the national contest will be announced in late July, with awards presented Sept. 26 at the NFPW Communications Conference in Ellicott City, Md.
Following is a full list of members and the awards they won:
(number after name = number of awards)
NATALIA ALAMDARI – Omaha, Flatwater Free Press (2)
First place: 7-Q, Social issues: “Spinning rides, swirling rumors: Talk of ICE raid mars county fair’s attempt to showcase Mexican band.” Aug. 25
Second Place: 5-C. Feature, online, “Desperate for teachers, Nebraska schools turn to the faraway Philippines,” May 23
JANELLE ATYEO – Sioux Falls, S.D., Midwest Messenger/Tri-State Neighbor, (3)
Honorable mention: 2. Continuing coverage or unfolding news. “World Livestock Auctioneering Championship Coverage,” May 30
Honorable mention: 7-C. Business. “Do your homework: Growers carefully assess needs when purchasing pricey inputs for 2026.” Nov 14
Honorable mention: 7-N. Religion: “Kids, community and Christ: Rural church fosters relationships to build following of young families.” Feb. 21
CARLA CHANCE – Cedar Creek, freelance (11)
First place: 9, Headlines.
Second place: 2. Continuing coverage or unfolding news. “No Kings rally decries authoritarian rule. “’No King’ protestors gather in defiance of authoritarian rule.” “50501 movement sounds rally cry” The Daily Record, May 16, June 27 and Nov. 3
Third place: 1-A, news story, print. “Law Day 2025 Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One” The Daily Record, May 1
Third place: 5-A, Feature, print, “New Library A Novel Concept” and sidebar: “Check Out Everything Library Has to Offer.” The Daily Record, April 17
Third place: 6-B, Personality profile, 750+ words. “Pacific Street Blues a hit among listeners” and sidebar, “PSB Program offers course in musicology.” The Daily Record, Dec. 3
Third place: 7-C. Business. “Lost Pets of Omaha Fetches Thousands of Happy Tails” and sidebar, “Lost Pets Nonprofit Offers Free Tips, Services.” The Daily Record, Sept 24.
Third place: 7-G, Govt/politics, “Plaque commemorates OBS’s 150th anniversary.” The Daily Record, Oct. 31
Third place: 7-I. History. “Historic home purchase to help preserve Omaha’s heritage.” The Daily Record, Jan. 30
Third place, 7-Q. Social issues. “Attorney Advocates for Immigrants’ Rights.” The Daily Record, Aug 29
Honorable mention, 3. In-depth reporting. “Award Winning Author and Attorney Lawrence Dwyer Chronicles Historic Milestones” and sidebars. The Daily Record, June 6.
Honorable mention, 7H. Green-environmental, “Fueling ‘power’ to the people.” The Daily Record, Oct. 17
SARA GENTZLER – Omaha, Flatwater Free Press (2)
First Place: 2. Continuing coverage or unfolding news. “YRTC Kearney abuse allegations,” Oct. 10.
First place: 7-M, Health. “Dysfunction, turnover at Omaha Planned Parenthood Clinic further limiting abortion access,” May 1
SARA GIBONEY – Omaha, College of St Mary (2)
Second place: 40A. Electronic newsletter. “Journeys” alumni newsletter, Dec. 1
Honorable mention: 46B. PR/external communications. “Journeys” magazine, Nov. 19
TERRI HAHN – Osceola, Grand Island Independent (3)
First place: 18. Single page, section or supplement edited by entrant. “Occasions,” pages E1-E4. Jan 4
Second place: 18. Single page, section or supplement edited by entrant. “Occasions,” pages E1-E5. Jan. 11.
Third place: 7B. Arts & Entertainment. “Prepping concert a major undertaking.” Dec. 20.
DESTINY HERBERS – Omaha, Flatwater Free Press (3)
First place: 3. In-depth reporting. “We don’t know the real number of Nebraskans dying from drugs. It’s costing us.” Sept. 18
Second Place: 7-C. Business. “Nebraska Public Power District bought land for $5 million — from NPPD executives.” May 16
Third place: 7N – Religion. “Omaha televangelist: a pastor allied with Trump. His church is booming – and buying serious real estate.” March 7.
KERRY HOFFSCHNEIDER – Waco, freelance, (1)
Honorable mention: 12-D. Books, short stories, verse or non-fiction for adult readers. ”Hope Stories for the Heartland.”
DELORES MEISTER – West Point, freelance (2)
Third place: 7-H. Green/environmental. “Ideas sprouted at Spring Garden Expo.” West Point News, May 8
Honorable mention: 4. Editorial/opinion. “A Flag Day Gathering.” Dodge Criterion, June 18
CARLA POST, Ayr, freelance (4)
First place: 5-C, online feature. “Handmade helper: 92-year-old Nebraskan moves snow with a tractor he built from scratch 65 years ago.” Midwest Messenger, Dec. 11
Third place: 7-A, Agriculture. “Spreading sunshine: Flower a farm business grows from seeds of a heartbreaking journey.” Midwest Messenger. June 20.
Third place: 8-A, Columns, general. “Way Up North: Wayne Gerlach.” Webster County Sun, Feb. 13
Honorable mention: 5-A. Feature, print newspaper. “Blue Hill: Golls reach landmark anniversary.” Webster County Record, June 12
LORI POTTER – Kearney, freelance (16)
First place: 5-B. Feature, magazine/newsletter. “Something Different to Try” and “Frequent video postings carry ag interests from pumpkin patch and maize of home in England to wheat fields of the American Great Plains.” Harvest News, Aug. 1
First place: 7-A. Agriculture. “Kearney County Crops and Cattle 2025 Outlook.” Minden Courier, March 13
First place: 7-B, Arts & entertainment. “The Jason Wulf Band.” Harvest News, Dec. 1
First place: 7-C. Business. “One to the Next: Business transaction for Ivan Wiebke, Travis Dorn crosses generations, blurs family line.” Harvest News, May 1.
First place: 7-G. Government or politics. “According to Plan.” Harvest News, July 1
First place: 7H. Green/environmental. “Spring Migration: A Different World.” Kearney Hub, March 4
First place. 7-P. Science/technology. “An eye toward the next need: Applequist Manufacturing sole American maker of stripper header, builds in Smith Center, Kansas, on log legacy of fabrication innovation.” Harvest News, Oct. 1
First place: 21-A. Single photograph, news or feature. “Sunset at Rowe Sanctuary” North Platte Telegraph, April 5
First place: 22. Photo essay. “Buffalo County Fair.” Kearney Hub, July 29
First place: 23. Photographer-writer. “Lions, camels and goats: Century-old carousel fell into disrepair.” Flatwater Free Press, Aug. 13
Second place: 6-B. Personality profile, 750-+ words. “After his first 81 years.” Harvest News, June 1
Second place: 7-L. Personal essay. Potter’s Wheel, Minden Courier, March 13.
Second place: 22. Photo essay. “Working Cattle at Callaway ranch.” Flatwater Free Press, Feb. 7
Second place: 21-B. Single photo, sports. “Rodeo bronc rider.” Kearney Hub, July 8.
Third place: 2-1B. Single photo, sports, “Rodeo calf roper.” Kearney Hub, July 8
Honorable mention: 21-C, General photograph. “Field Work at Sunset with Sandhill Cranes Flying.” Flatwater Free Press, March 5
KRISTEN SINDELAR – Clarkson, Midwest Messenger (5)
Second place: 7-A. Agriculture, “Are economics driving corn production westward?” Oct. 3
Second place: 7-H. Green/environmental. “Bison remain heartbeat of prairie at Niobrara Valley Preserve.” Sept. 26.
Second place: 23. Photographer/writer. “Top U.S. contenders flock to Nebraska for sheep-shearing contest.” Oct. 24
Honorable Mention: 6-B. Personality profile, 750+ words. “Extra reason to smile at this year’s Madison County fair.” Aug. 1
Honorable Mention: 8-A. Columns, general. “From OB nurse to midwife: calving season promotion.” April 11
MARY JANE SKALA – Kearney, The Kearney Hub (16)
First place: 5-A, Feature, print, “From out of the ashes, love and kindness for Axtell family.” May 29
First place: 6-B. Personality profile, 750+ words. “Retired surgeon in Kearney paints and writes a memoir,” Sept. 6
First place: 7-I. History. “Kearney man re-enacts a historical character few think about: a mortician” Oct. 25
First place, 7-J. Hobby, construction, design. “Bats, wasps infest Kearney home. Then National Guard friends immobilize to help.” July 24
First place: 7-L. Personal essay. “Chicagoan pooh-poohs Nebraska. Let’s invite him to come stay awhile.” Dec. 13.
First place: 7-N. Religion. “Father Paul: a poignant farewell to Prince of Peace.” June 23.
First place: 7-T, Travel, First Place, “Kearney audience hears unforgettable stories from nurse who volunteered in Gaza.” Sept. 20
First place: 8-B, Column, humor. “No lifeboats. No lights. No Toilets. But the Pilgrims made it.” Nov. 22.
First place: 8-D. Column, personal: “The real winner of the Indy 500.” May 29
Second place: 7-B. Arts and entertainment. “MONA map is a work of art. Literally.” May 17
Second place: 8-A. Columns, general. “The choreography of branding day on a farm near Elm Creek.” May 2
Second place: 8-D, Column, personal. “I left my heart in Cataract Canyon.” Oct. 25
Second place: 7-E, Education. “What is your child doing online? Speaker at Kearney school aims to empower parents.” Sept. 18
Second place: 7-M. Health. “Kearney woman is 35, happily married and mom of 2. This fall, she was diagnosed with ALS.” Dec. 11.
Second place: 7-Q. Social issues, “Suicide steps out of the shadows. Rates are dropping.” Oct.30
Honorable mention: 8-A, General column, “Do loved ones visit us after they die?’ Nov. 1
LAUREN WAGNER – Omaha, The 77 Million
First place: 1-C, online news story. “In class and TikTok, South Dakota interns preserve Lakota language.” Aug. 5
Third place: 3. in-depth reporting. “National teachers’ union shortage.” May 21
DIXI WELLMAN – Waverly, Midwest Messenger
Third place: 8-C. Informational column. “Swimming with swine,” May 22
Third place: 8-D. Personal column. “Small towns have much to offer.” June 25
Honorable mention: 8-C, Informational column. “Think small. Keep your dollars close to home,” Dec 18
Honorable mention: 8-D. Personal column. ”Feeling the power of gratitude,” Nov. 17
MELANIE WILKINSON – York. justmelaniew.com
First place: 8-A. General columns. “Blue typewriter with a red and white keyboard.”
First place: 37-C, Personal blog, “The World According to Riki.” March 3
First place: 35. Personal website. Justmelanie.com
Second place: 9. Headlines, justmelaniew.com. June 5
Second place: 8-B. Humor columns. “The alleged attack of the flies,”
Third place: 1-C, online news story. “Shucklage pile burning 35 days with no end in sight; neighbors worry about health, animals, properties.” May 2
Third place: 5-C, feature, online. “Moms turn grief into action.” April 9
Honorable mention: 5-C, online feature. “127-year-old ‘Waiting for Papa’ painting from Greenwood Cemetery to be restored, donations needed.”
EMILY WOLF – Lincoln, Flatwater Free Press
Second place: 1-C. online news story. “Gunned down in broad daylight: Killings spotlight limitations as domestic violence spikes in Nebraska.” April 18
First place, 7-D. Education. “Lincoln school board paid its former superintendent six figures. He did no work.” Oct. 10
Second Place, 7-N, Religion. “Catholic diocese barred priest from being alone with kids after alleged grooming. His accuser wonders why they won’t publicly admit it.” Dec. 17.