KEARNEY — The Nebraska Press Association (NPA) celebrated the best in Nebraska journalism during its annual convention held April 25-26 in Kearney. The event brought together newspaper professionals from across the state to recognize outstanding work, lifelong achievement, and the future of the industry through a series of prestigious awards and scholarships.
Change of Officers
The Nebraska PressAssociation and Nebraska Press Advertising Service boards of directors thanked outgoing presidents Rob Dump, co-publisher of Cedar County News, LaurelAdvocate, Randolph Times and Osmond Republican, and Dee Klein, Regional Business Development Director, Western Nebraska, Lee Enterprises, for their leadership on the boards.
The incoming NPApresident is John Erickson, publisher of the Bridgeport News-Blade, and the incoming NPAS president is Lynell Morgan, co-publisher of the Elgin Review.
The convention concluded with a shared sense of pride in Nebraska journalism’s past, present, and future. “These awards remind us that great journalism matters — in small towns and big cities alike,” said Dennis DeRossett, NPA Executive Director, “and that the next generation is ready to carry the torch.”
Hall of Fame Inductions
The highest honor of the convention was the induction of two esteemed journalists into the Nebraska Journalism Hall of Fame. This recognition honors individuals who have made significant, lasting contributions to journalism in Nebraska. This year’s inductees were Victoria Ayotte Brown and Mark Rhoades, whose careers exemplify the values of integrity, commitment, and service to community journalism.
The Nebraska Journalism Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Nebraska Press Association and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications, honors individuals who have made sig- nificant contributions to journalism at the local, state or national level. Since its inception in 1975, 121 journalists have been inducted.
Victoria Ayotte Brown has dedicated more than 30 years to journalism, shaping the industry through digital content, design, editing and newsroom leadership. A 1991 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with degrees in news-editorial and political science, she has made lasting contributions to Nebraska journalism while also influencing the national newspaper landscape.
Mark Rhoades has spent his life in Blair, home to his family’s newspaper business for more than a century. After working alongside his father, Ken, for many years, Rhoades purchased the company in 1997, becoming the fifth generation to own the business.
Rhoades served as Nebraska Press Association president in 2008 and spent many years on its board of directors.
Outstanding Young Nebraska Journalist Nejla Muminovic, Norfolk Daily News, and Jenna Ebbers, Lincoln Journal Star, were named the 2025 Outstanding Young Nebraska Journal- ists. The two tied for first place. Caitlyn OSMOND PUBLISHER RESIGNS FROM NPA
Thomas, North Platte Telegraph, was the runner up. This award high- lights an emerging leader in the field who is making a mark early in their career through reporting excellence, community engagement, and innovation in storytelling.
Don Harpst, Sr. Leadership Award This year’s Don Harpst, Sr. Leadership Award, which recognizes leadership and leadership potential in Nebraska newspaper professionals, was presented to LuAnn and Scott Schindler, publishers of the Clearwater Summerland Advocate-Messenger. They were honored for their work in the community, especially for helping youth to see their hometowns as places where leadership is meaningful – and possible.
A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism The inaugural A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism was made possible through a partnership between the Nebraska Press Association and the A-Mark Foundation. The award was created to shine a spotlight on the kind of journalism that goes beyond the daily beat — the work that digs deeper, asks tougher questions, and tells stories that might otherwise never be told. The winners of the prize this year were:
• Third Place – Molly Ashford, Omaha World-Herald
• Second Place — Sara Gentzler and Alex Richards, Flatwater Free Press
• First Place — Andrew Wegley and Chris Dunker, Lincoln Journal Star Reporters and their respective newsrooms were awarded cash prizes to continue their work in investigative journalism.
Golden Pica Pole Award
Given annually to newspaper professionals who have dedicated 50+ years to the industry, the Golden Pica Pole Award was presented to Lulene Sebade, South Sioux City Dakota County Star; Jenny Tyrell, Pender Times and Rod Worrell, Ainsworth Star-Journal and Valentine Midland News.
For those who don’t know what a pica pole is, it’s a metal ruler used by printers in the composing room to measure type by picas (12 points to the pica, six picas to the inch). And a bit of trivia – way back in the day, the pica pole was pounded against a metal surface in the ritual of honoring an employee leaving the premises for the last time.
Journalism Scholarships Awarded
As part of its commitment to nurturing future talent, the NPA Foundation awarded scholarships to several aspiring journalists. This year’s recipients include Miah Fox, Paxton; Maryann Kassner, McCook; Suzie Bovair, Lincoln; and Jenna Ochsner, Hastings, each selected for their academic achievement, passion for journalism, and potential to lead the industry forward.
For more information about the Nebraska Press Association and its programs, visit www.nebpress.com. Contact: Violet Spader, Director of Member Services, Nebraska Press Association, [email protected] | 402-476-2851
