Vindicator staff wins 4 awards

CINCINNATI -- The Vindicator newsroom staff won four awards in the 2002 Ohio Society of Professional Journalists competition.
Staff writer Maraline Kubik won first place for religion coverage and a second place award for explanatory journalism.
Crime reporter Patricia Meade and David Skolnick, politics writer, won second place for a joint effort on deadline reporting.
Copy editor Kay Reese won second place for headline writing.
A good explanation
Kubik's winning entry, "Understanding Islam," was awarded prizes in two categories. Judges for best explanatory journalism said, "Kubik tells her readers how their neighbors live and why, the extent as to which religion governs their choices, and common misconceptions they encounter. A timely piece."
Judges for best religion coverage said, "Any reader of this series of articles and sidebars will truly understand Islam. From its daily rituals to human challenges to historical background to internal controversies to terminology. A very thorough job of reporting and fine public service."
Meade and Skolnick's winning entry was for coverage of the indictment of U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. Judges called the piece "Impressive. Writing concise and comprehensive."
Judges called Reese's winning entry, "The Brainy Bunch," a "clever head that sums up the story well." The story was about a couple whose four children were all valedictorians.
The awards banquet took place Saturday at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati.
Winners were chosen from among more than 800 entries from 120 news organizations representing more than 3,000 journalists.