2022-23 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition
116 Special-Purpose Travel ( Travel Audio-Podcasts and Guides,Travel Audio-Radio,Travel Magazines,Travel Coverage in General Magazines,Newspapers)Back
Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Tim Neville Entry Title: The Last Ride of Legend, a Pony Who Lived Up to His Name Entry Credit: Tim Neville Judge Comment: Tim Neville writes beautifully to demonstrate the bond of a young girl and her pony. The author paints a picture of the adventurous life the Chincoteague gelding enjoyed in New Mexico, helping Maizie gain self-confidence. Readers are introduced to the history of the breed and the annual Pony Swim on Assateague Island off the coast of Virginia. Following Legend’s death, the family takes the pony’s ashes home to the island. “Hoofprints dotted the sand, and there, close to the shore, lay Legend’s favorite food, a piece of watermelon. Maizie found an impression where a pony had bedded down. ‘He’s home now,’ Maizie said, and she thanked Legend for showing her the way.”
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: National Geographic Traveler Entry Title: To discover wild America, follow Bigfoot’s mythical steps Entry Credit: Will McCarthy Judge Comment: Will McCarthy’s story connects people to nature by using the mythical creature as a purpose to travel and discover less-explored regions. “Searching for an ape-like creature not only encourages travelers to experience wild open spaces but also motivates them to become stewards of the land.” The writer discusses how the Sasquatch search has led to the discovery of creatures previously thought extinct, such as the Humboldt marten. Bigfoot treks in the Pacific Northwest often lead hikers to discover indigenous history.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Outside Entry Title: The Brief, Wondrous Life of Little Leo Entry Credit: Lewann Babler Judge Comment: Not only is Lewann Babler a strong writer, but also she’s a strong person. Readers join the adventures she and her husband shared in the brief time they had with their son to experience the most beautiful wild places in the country. She explains: “The aspens were never more golden, the skies never more blue, and Leo’s joy never more buoyant.” I’m not sure most families could fight a deadly genetic disorder like the Bablers did. They rearranged their lives, moved to the mountains and built an adventure van for Leo to spend every moment being creative with his time.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Midwest Living Entry Title: Superfly Entry Credit: Ashlea Halpern Judge Comment: This article reveals how women often feel condescended to or ignored when it comes to fly-fishing but also shows that more women anglers are enjoying the sport. Today, seeing a woman casting on a bank isn’t like spotting a unicorn. Ashlea Halpern’s reporting also notes that women often catch more fish than men because “it’s not a muscle sport. The real artistry is in the casting — that buttery-smooth ribboning of fly line that reads like poetry when done right.” This article will give readers an itch to pick up a rod.
