This week, the Society for Professional Journalists announced the winners of their Northwest Excellence in Journalism Awards. The Stranger won eight awards, including first place in Personal Profile (“The Making of Katie Wilson”), Graphics and Illustration (“Keep Digging”), Photo Essay (“Skateboards Only”), and Editorial and Commentary (“It’s All About the Dick”).
This is also (probably) the first time The Stranger has won awards for both sports writing (first place for “How to Make a Hockey Team in 205 Days”) and sports photography (second place for one of West Smith’s photos from Cinco de Margo). So we’re jocks now.
And we were in good company! Our friends down at Portland Mercury took home six awards, including first place in Reviews (“The Barbaras Take Us For A Ride”) and Breaking News Reporting (“Mayor Wilson Puts Portland Housing Bureau Director On Leave”).
And award season isn’t over! Earlier this season, The Stranger got nine finalist nods in the national Association for Alternative Newsmedia Awards. The winners will be announced next month.
In the meantime, check out our award-winning journalism below!
First Place in Sports Feature
How to Make a Hockey Team in 205 Days
The Seattle Torrent were just an idea this spring. Now they’re our home team.
By Megan Seling
First Place in Personal Profile
The Making of Katie Wilson
She’s the daughter of scientists, an Oxford dropout, a former construction worker, and an organizer. She might be Seattle’s next mayor.
By Hannah Murphy Winter
First Place in Graphics & Illustrations
Keep Digging
How Some Scared Little Gophers Brought Mount St. Helens Back to Life
By Margaret Harris and Greg Stump
First Place in Photo Essay
The Marginal Way Skatepark Has Been Carving Out DIY Space for 20 Years
By Liam Griffith
Second Place in Sports Action Photography
Last Weekend, the Marginal Way Skate Park Celebrated the Start of the 2025 Season
By West Smith
Second Place in Arts & Culture Reporting
Four years ago, the Posies’ Ken Stringfellow disappeared from the public eye after three women accused him of sexual assault. Last year, he went on tour.
By Megan Burbank
First Place in Editorial & Commentary
But Even Dick Is About More Than Dick
By Vivian McCall
Third Place in Magazine Print Page Design
The Stranger‘s Design team is led by Corianton Hale, and includes assistant art director Anthony Keo and production manager Char Harris. We submitted the three layouts below for their consideration.
“Pie, Pie, My Darling” was designed by Corianton Hale with photography by Billie Winter. “Poolin’ Around” was designed by Char Harris with photography by Madison Kirkman. “20 Hours on the 1” was designed by Corianton Hale with illustrations by Eric Hanson.
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