The Pilot

Division

Jonathan Bym

Busier Than Ever, Firefighters Answer the Call

Very thorough look at a problem plaguing many communities around the country, with detailed statistics on financing and demand for services. I can't imagine they left any relevant detail out. Good artwork and page design complete the package.

Frank Daniels IV

Holiday Rush in Full Tilt

"This is an article that talks about how local small businesses depend on strong fourth-quarter sales to make annual profits and some of the hoops they have to jump through to accomplish that, now including dealing with hefty import tariffs. "

Timothy L. Hale

Freeze Frame

Very sharp photo, except for the ball which is appropriate as it shows motion. You can feel the athletes concentration. Nice composition.

Ted Fitzgerald

Honoring the Brave

Beautiful and good variety from one event.

Ted Fitzgerald

Beat the Heat

Great capture of a warm day. Nice action.

Lauren Ellis

Bygone Eras: When Dance Floors Ruled

"Actually 7.5 A stylized text image of ""Boogie Time"" with silhouette dancers superimposed. Colorful and well blended. "

Staff

The Pilot, Headline Writing

Emilee Phillips

The Sway: Don’t Edgar Allan Bro Me

I love the combination of humor and information, it really draws readers in, without boring them.

Ana Risano

The Waiting Game

John Nagy

A Stain Showing on Black Robes

Editorials takes a stand on local issues and helps readers understand importance of those issues.

Frank Daniels IV

Blade-Maker Cuts New Path Into Europe

"A good feature about a local knife-making business with a good reputation. What makes the story stand out is discussion of the economic issues with breaking into the lucrative European market. "

John Nagy

A Story You Won’t See Online

Timothy L. Hale

Three Run Homer

Timothy L. Hale

The Scream

Sharp photo, great composition. The photographer was able to include the action with the ball, and the expressive faces of both players. The thrill of agony, the victory of defeat, this photo encompasses both.

Frank Daniels IV, Elena Marsh

The Sky Is the Limit

Good combination of history and plans for the future. Very thorough and well written.

John Nagy

My Weekend in Las Vegas

Columns had me laughing and nodding from the start. Totally relatable and well written!

Lauren Ellis

Town Preserves Historic Charm

"Actually 7.5 Unclear which image is the entry. I went with the last photo illustration where a B/W image was folded in with a color image. Nice effect. "

Frank Daniels IV

Copping Copper

This article demonstrates strong community journalism by successfully balancing a local with broader economic and industrial context.

Emilee Phillips, Ana Risano

Boogie Fever

The picture these words paint is so alive I can feel the beat of the music. Fantastic!

Abbi Overfelt

The Sway: Dress to Digest

I love this publication, I kept going back for more!

Ginny Trigg, Scott Yancey

Set in Stone

Staff

2025 Fall House & Garden

Erika Leap, Scott Yancey

Golf Pride

Samantha Cunningham, Scott Yancey

Best of the Pines Nominations

The paper boy is too CUTE! Easy to read and stands out!

Samantha Cunningham, Scott Yancey

The Pilot Restaurant Week

Enjoyed the carryover of the elements. The overall ad was bright and inviting.

Ella Clark, Scott Yancey

Hairy Pawter & The Magical Menagerie Pet Photo Contest

Laura Douglass

Engaged Golf Chips Away at Stigma

Really interesting piece about using golf to help dementia patients, something I wasn't familiar with before reading it. The story explained it in depth and introduced some of the people it benefits. Really valuable reporting.

Timothy L. Hale

Me and My Shadow

Ted Fitzgerald

In the End Zone

Wonderful photo. Would be improved from a different angle with player faces revealed but that is not always possible and you take the best shot that you are given.

Lauren Ellis

Polocrosse in the Pines

Maggie Beamguard

Spelling Bee: What’s In a Name?

Well thought out and interesting topics. Writing style captures attention and encourages the read.

Jonathan Bym, Frank Daniels IV, Ana Risano

Chantal’s Chaos

High-quality investigative journalism evolving a standard severe weather report into an in-depth accountability piece, effectively using public records to reveal pre-existing infrastructure issues, and providing a balanced, multi-perspective look at the real-world legal and environmental consequences of a infrastructure failure.

Emilee Phillips

The Sway: The Summer I Crashed Out

The animations are what bring this whole thing to life.

John Nagy, David Woronoff

The Pilot Editorial Page

These pages also take stands on issues, but the secondary columns were softer, which is not a criticism, especially if it fits the community, but I felt the others were slightly better pages.

Staff

The Pilot, Community Coverage

This is very complete when it comes to community coverage. Good writing Engaging subjects good photos Very well done

Elena Marsh

Jackson Hamlet Seeks Assistance for Dilapidated Road

On first glance, I didn't think this was much of a story, but this really works. Great context of history (with the sign being moved) and then great follow-up pieces. Great job of being aware of issues impacting community members.