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With the awards season for journalists and publications coming to a close, Cincinnati Magazine took home 35 awards from three journalism societies: the Cleveland Press Club, Ohio’s Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Cincinnati’s SPJ chapter. In addition to a number of editorial, writing-focused awards, the magazine was also honored with accolades for page design, photography, illustration, and even animations.
Below is the roundup of the magazine’s winners. All stories are linked in case you’d like to explore the best of the magazine’s 2025 work.
Arts & Entertainment Writing
Cedric Rose: “Almost Famous.” First place in Best Arts Writing by Cleveland Press Club and first place in Arts & Entertainment Writing by Ohio SPJ.
Kelly Blewett: “Worthy of Lasting Love.” First place in Arts & Entertainment/Non-Daily Newsroom by Cleveland Press Club.
Claire Lefton, Emma Balcom, Brianna Connock, Mildred Fallen, John Fox, Amanda Boyd Walters, and Emi Villavicencio: “Dancing Through Life.” First place in Best Arts Writing by Ohio SPJ.
Laurie Pike: “Drama Queen.” First place in Arts/Entertainment Writing by Cincinnati SPJ.
Michele Day: “Out of the Box.” Finalist for Arts/Entertainment Writing by Cincinnati SPJ.
Neighborhood/Community Writing
Emma Balcom, Brianna Connock, Claire Lefton, and Jaclyn Youhana Garver: “Choosing Your Own (Career) Adventure.” First place in Public Service & Community/Non-Daily Newsroom by Cleveland Press Club.
Carrie Blackmore: “Solid Ground.” First place in Government/Community by Cincinnati SPJ.
Laurie Pike: “Brightening Our Blind Spots.” First place in Human Rights/Minority Issues Writing by Cincinnati SPJ.
John Stowell: “A Second Chance for Cincinnati’s Third Party.” Finalist for Government/Community Writing by Cincinnati SPJ.
General Features/Feature Writing
CM Staff: “Going Wild: The Zoo at 150.” First place in General Features/Non-Daily Newsroom by Cleveland Press Club.
J. Besl: “Shedding a Little Light.” First place in Feature Story Writing by Cincinnati SPJ.
Carrie Blackmore: “Shauna Murphy is Here for Kids.” First place in Education Writing by Cincinnati SPJ and third place by Cleveland Press Club.
David Holthaus: “Tanking a Company Town.” Second place in General Features/ Non-Daily Newsroom by Cleveland Press Club.
Laurie Pike: “Drama Queen.” Second place in Personality Features/Non-Daily Newsroom by Cleveland Press Club.
David Holthaus: “Immigrants Propel the Local Economy.” in Realm. Second place in Best Business/Consumer Reporting by Ohio SPJ.
John Stowell: “Impossible to Forget.” Finalist for Feature Story Writing by Cincinnati SPJ.
Cedric Rose: “Cameraman Obscura.” Finalist for Magazine Reporting by Cincinnati SPJ.
Health/Medical Writing
Elizabeth Miller Wood: “How Gender Bias in Medical Care Impacts Your Health.” Third place in Health & Medical Writing by Cleveland Press Club.
Science/Technology Writing
Carrie Blackmore: “In the Blink of AI.” First place in Science & Technology Writing by Cleveland Press Club.
Sports Writing
Charlie Goldsmith: “Living the Dream.” First place in Sports/Non-Daily Newsroom by Cleveland Press Club
Amanda Boyd Walters, Brianna Connock, and John Fox: “The 100 Greatest Cincinnati Athletes Ever.” Finalist for Sports Feature Writing by Cincinnati SPJ.
Design
Matthew Spoleti: “December Issue: Social Media Animation.” First place in Animation and Motion Graphics by Cleveland Press Club
Stefanie Hadiwidjaja and Emi Villavicencio: First place in Magazine Cover Design by Cincinnati SPJ.
Jessica Dunham: “Bootsy Collins.” Second place in Illustration/Single Image by Cleveland Press Club.
Stefanie Hadiwidjaja: “Sandwiches!” Second place in Page Design/Cover by Cleveland Press Club
Photography/Photo Essay
Andrew Doench and Brianna Connock: “The Tin Man Follows His Heart.” First place in Pictorial & Photo Essay by Cleveland Press Club.
Special Sections
Aiesha Little and Emi Villavicencio: “Gives Cincinnati.” First place in Best Special Section by Ohio SPJ.
“Best of Show” Awards
Outstanding Achievement in Journalism: Amanda Boyd Walters. Awarded by Cincinnati SPJ.
Best Monthly in Ohio. First place by Ohio SPJ.
Best Magazine in Cincinnati. First place by Cincinnati SPJ.
Best Website in Ohio. First place by Cleveland Press Club and first place by Cincinnati SPJ.
Best Art Director: Emi Villavicencio. First place by Cleveland Press Club.
Best Print Periodical in Ohio. Second place by Cleveland Press Club.
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