Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Sebastian Modak Entry Title: Visit Marseille Over Paris, Osaka Over Tokyo? Why a ‘Second-City’ Vacation Is Worth Planning Now Entry Credit: Sebastian Modak Judge Comment: Sebastian Modak transports readers to his breakfast table in Marseille, France, and a street market in Osaka, Japan. His memories tell a bigger story of the more personal experience of traveling to smaller, less tourist-heavy cities — a sentiment that is also captured in travel expert perspectives. The writing is punchy and flows well, making the piece not only interesting but also a compelling read.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: JONATHAN THOMPSON Entry Title: Soho Steps Back Into The Spotlight Entry Credit: Jonathan Thompson Judge Comment: The shining part of this story is the details. Jonathan Thompson’s phrasing is eye-catching — from describing a new boutique hotel as “an eight-story jewelry box” to noting that customers can “sample” a club’s “free-spirited flair.” This is a bright story that matches the essence of the Soho neighborhood.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Aaron Teasdale Entry Title: Tending the Flame, Coming back from long Covid is its own adventure Entry Credit: Aaron Teasdale Judge Comment: This story speaks to the challenges of recovering from illness and the therapeutic qualities of the outdoors. Teasdale gets vulnerable about his experience with long COVID and its lengthy side effects. The narrative explores coping with a changed identity and celebrating the small wins.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Southern Living Entry Title: That's My Chicken Fry Entry Credit: Katie Akin Judge Comment: Katie Akin stakes Oklahoma’s claim on the chicken-fried steak in this narrative. Sure, the story is about Oklahoma chicken-fried steak. But it also speaks to the nostalgia of home and how food evolves in different cultures and locations. The story had a distinct voice, which made for a fast-paced and entertaining read.
