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CONTEST MERGES WITH SPJ
Dear Ohio APME contest journalists and supporters,
The evolving media landscape has prompted the Ohio APME contest board to make a change we hope is beneficial to the long-term health of journalism contests in Ohio.
After extensive discussions and in response to comments from many of you in recent years that it is becoming increasingly difficult to support three statewide contests, it is with great excitement that we announce that the Ohio SPJ Contest will bring the former Ohio APME contest under its banner beginning with the 2026 contest cycle for work done in 2025.
The Ohio SPJ Contest Advisory Board, which will expand to include representation from the former statewide contest, can’t wait to build upon the strengths and historical significance of our two contests. We firmly believe we can be stronger together to support the outstanding journalism that is happening in Ohio every day.
What does this mean for you? We will continue the former contest’s Rising Star Award, an annual award that recognizes the top emerging professionals in our state with five years or less experience in journalism. Winners receive a $500 cash award. We have provided money from the former APME account to ensure this award continues into the future.
Many thanks to all of you for continuing to support our contest – and Ohio journalism. We know you have choices when it comes to submitting your top work to contests for the year, but our newly combined contest has some important distinctions that will continue, including the expertise that the leaders of the former statewide contest will bring. The Ohio SPJ Contest is the only contest in the state that honors journalists who adhere to SPJ’s ethics code and fulfill the SPJ mission: defense of the First Amendment, support of literacy, resistance to censorship, advocacy for openness of public records and meetings, media self-criticism and community service.
Proceeds from submissions to this combined contest will continue to be used to support student journalism scholarship programs (high school and college) at the Cincinnati, Cleveland and Central Ohio pro SPJ chapters, as well as to help us provide programming for students and professional journalists throughout the state.
To encourage former Ohio APME participants to join in the new contest, we will be refunding all entry fees paid for the 2025 contest honoring work done in 2024. This money should be returned by the end of January. The remaining balance from Ohio APME will be transferred to Ohio SPJ to continue their work supporting journalism and to ensure the rising star award’s cash prize continues.
Please let us know if you have any questions about the 2026 contest. The new contest can be reached at contact@ohiospjawards.org. We’re excited to receive your submissions soon and learn about the exciting work everyone produced in 2025 this year. The 2026 contest will launch very soon. Watch your inbox for details!
2024 NEWSPAPER Winners
2024 Broadcast winners
2024 AWARDS & HONORS
First Amendment Award: Akron Beacon Journal
Hall of Fame:
Ben Gelber, WCMH-TV
Colleen Marshall, WCMH-TV
Paul Kwapich, WTOL-TV
Rob Powers, WEWS-TV
Newspaper Rising Star: Erin Glynn, The Cincinnati Enquirer
Broadcast Rising Star: Claire Mitchell, WTVG-TV
2023 AWARDS & HONORS
First Amendment Award: Dayton Daily News
Hall of Fame: Duane Pohlman, WKRC-TV
Newspaper Rising Star: Maddie Mitchell, The Cincinnati Enquirer
Broadcast Rising Stars: Taylor Wizner, WKSU-FM & Carli Petrus, WTVG-TV