NSPA announced the winner of the Brasler Prize on Nov. 15 at our fall convention in St. Louis. Chelsea Long of The Rock newspaper, Rock Canyon High School, Highlands Ranch, Colo., was selected as 2008’s winner.
The $1,000 award is given to the best of the First Place winners in the five Story of the Year categories. Wayne Brasler judges the contest himself, and these were his comments on the winning story:
In a cinematic sights-and-sounds, you are there, depth sports feature of great sweep, keen-eyed detail, and capturing of quotes which consistently shine as authentic and in the moment, Chelsea Long offers a miniature film-in-print on every game played bythe lacrosse team at Rock Canyon High. Long achieves a notable writer’s voice–a sense of presence, style and a bird’s-eye view–without ever once intruding into the story or editorializing. Nothing seems to have escaped the reporter’s eye and the decisions about what to include seem unerring. Though lengthy, the feature achieves a fast pace and rich texture start to finish. The story was presented in a sterling four-page package with ample sidebars including “Meet the characters,” which pictures and profiles major figures in the story. Outstanding photography enhances the package. This is ambitious work carried off with both excellence and flair.
Click here to download a PDF of Chelsea’s winning article, and here to see the other Story of the Year winners, with links to PDFs of the additional First Place winners.