Kansas Reflector staff rakes in recognition with 16 awards in statewide journalism contest

The width and breadth of Kansas Reflector journalism was recognized in the annual Kansas Press Association contest results announced Wednesday.

From business reporting to commentary to overall recognition, a swath of Kansas Reflector reporters, editors and contributors shared the 16 awards in the Division VII category. The task of writing these award summaries has fallen to me over the years, and you might think that the excitement fades, but it hasn’t yet. Being part of this staff and effort to bring free, nonprofit journalism to the Sunflower State remains a spectacular privilege.

Editor in chief Sherman Smith was named Kansas journalist of the year, his third time winning that award since founding Kansas Reflector in the summer of 2020. He also won first place in the series category for coverage of the Marion County Record newspaper raid anniversary. He shared that award with independent journalist Marisa Kabas.

Former Reflector and Missouri Independent reporter Allison Kite and Stateline’s Kevin Hardy won first place for local business story.

Finally among the first place finishers, opinion contributors Eric Thomas and Mark McCormick were both recognized for column writing. I’m delighted to see Thomas and McCormick recognized for their determined, consistent and ever-readable pieces. I finished third in the category, alongside the towering Max McCoy.

“I have the best job in the world because I get to work with all my favorite journalists in a tireless quest to speak truth to power and lift Kansans’ voices,” Smith told me Wednesday evening.

I couldn’t agree more.

Further staff members were honored with an array of second-place finishes. Reporter Anna Kaminski received the distinction for her entry in the military story category, while former reporter Rachel Mipro placed for an environmental story. Mipro departed in July, and Kaminski arrived in August. Working with both has been a joy.

Now we come to an eternally tricky piece of any awards column. That would be the writer covering his or her own awards. I placed second for journalist of the year for the second time in a row. In this case, however, I’m right behind Smith. I’m sure I’ll never hear the end of it. I also finished second in editorial writing.

Other Kansas Press Association awards for Kansas Reflector staff included:

• New Journalist Award: Third place, Anna Kaminski
• Investigative Story: Third place, Sherman Smith
• Education Story: Third place, “‘Unapologetically loud’: How student journalists fought a Kansas district over spyware and won,” Sherman Smith
• Best Story/Picture Combination: Third place, “Kansas elementary school students plant exclusive sweetgum that traversed the moon,” Sherman Smith
• Military Story: Third Place, “Bill protecting Kansans veterans from ‘claim sharks’ vaporized after flat tax failed,” Sherman Smith

Each year I repeat some variant on the journalistic truism that no one does these jobs for awards. The most important recognition I receive comes from our readers, both in person and through email. But only the must curmudgeonly of codgers would refuse such distinction when offered.

On behalf of Reflector staff, thanks to the KPA, and we hope to keep serving you all.

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.