Photojournalists Honored

The Nebraska News Photographers Association handed out its annual awards last weekend, honoring Matt Miller of the Omaha World-Herald as Photographer of the Year and Pete Soby of KETV as Television Photographer of the Year.

In the individual categories in the still photography competition, the World-Herald took home seven first place awards to go along with 28 other honors. The state's second-largest newspaper, the Lincoln Journal Star, won one first place and six additional honors and the Grand Island Independent won two first places with four additional awards.

Brian Lehman of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was named College Photographer of the Year. UNL also won all the college awards except one honorable mention.

In the NNPA Television News contest, KMTV scored four first place honors to go along with eight overall, while KETV had 16 overall honors, including three for first place. A new honor, the NNPA Reporter Recognition Award, went to KMTV's Corey Rangel for scoring the most points based on stories he worked on with photographers who earned places.

NNPA Reporter Recognition Award
1. Corey Rangel - KMTV, 10 points
2. Rob McCartney - KETV, 8.5
3. Carol Kloss - KETV, 8
3. Todd Andrews - KETV, 8
5. Michelle Bandur - KMTV, 5.5
6. Kathy Santos-Niver - KMTV, 5

NNPA 2005 Television Photographer of the Year:
Pete Soby, KETV

NNPA 2005 Television Runner-up Photographer of the Year:
Harry Flansburg, Action 3 News

Spot News
HM: Wood River Flood - John Haxby KMTV (Michelle Bandur)
HM: Iowa Grass Fires - Michael Richard KETV ­(Tom Elser)
3. Cass County Fires -­ Sean Kelly ­ KMTV ­ (Sarah Simmons)
2. Fort Calhoun Fire - Peter Soby ­ KETV ­ (Todd Andrews)
House Explosion - ­Harry Flansburg ­ KMTV ­ (Michelle Bandur)

General News
HM: Special Training - Mike Richard KETV (Rob McCartney)
3: Gretna Aid ­- Peter Soby ­ KETV (Brandi Peterson)
2: Clean Up - Kevin Ridley ­ WOWT ­(reporter not listed)
1: Another Scorcher -­ Sean Kelly KMTV ­(Corey Rangel)

News Feature
HM: Hog Power ­- Peter Soby ­ KETV ­ (Tom Elser)
3. Copper Tree -­ Kevin Ridley ­ WOWT ­ (reporter not listed)
2. 60 Jumps ­- Peter Soby ­ KETV ­ (Rob McCartney)
Avenue of Flags ­- Harry Flansburg ­ KMTV -(Kathy Sarantos-Niver)

Feature
HM: Hawk Tower ­- Peter Soby ­ KETV ­ (Tom Elser)
3: Copper Leaves ­- Terry Sedivy ­ KETV ­ (John Oakey)
2: Balloon Love - Jason Pressler ­ KPTM (photographer not listed)
1: PICU- Peter Soby -­ KETV ­(Rob McCartney)

Sports
3. Ball Girl -­ Harry Flansburg ­ KMTV ­ (Kayla Thomas)
2. New Year's Skiers - Terry Sedivy ­ KETV (Suzanne Deyo)
1. Huskers in the CWS ­- Harry Flansburg ­ KMTV (Corey Rangel)

Team3
Farmers Fight Fires -­ KETV ­ Michael Richard/Terry Sedivy KETV
(Brandi Peterson)
Bad Fans - KETV ­ Jim Healy/Michael Richard ­ KETV (Mike Digacimo)
River Search ­- KETV - Peter Soby/John Matya/Keith Gentrup (Todd Andrew)

In Depth/Series:
Dangerous Railroad Crossing -­ Harry Flansburg ­ KMTV (Joe Jordan)
2 Steroids ­- Peter Soby ­ KETV ­ (Carol Kloss)
1. Wabash Trail -­ Peter Soby ­ KETV ­ (Carol Kloss)

Professional - Still

First Place General News
"Teacher of the Year" Phil Johnson/Omaha World-Herald
Second Place General News
"Arlington Funeral" Rebecca Gratz/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place General News
"SIDs" Laura Inns/Omaha World-Herald

First Place Spot News
"Katrina" Kent Sievers/Omaha World-Herald
Second Place Spot News
"Grass Fire" Phil Johnson/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Spot News
"Soldier's Defiance" Jeff Bundy/Omaha World-Herald
HM Spot News
"Fire" Lane Hickenbottom/Grand Island Independent

First Place Feature
"Sledding" Jeff Beiermann/Omaha World-Herald
Second Place Feature
"Crop Duster" Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Feature
"Storm Troopers" Kent Sievers/Omaha World-Herald
HM Feature
"Elvis" Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
HM Feature
"Choir" Rebecca Gratz/Omaha World-Herald
HM Feature
"Lamb" Dior Azcuy/Lincoln Journal Star

First Place Portrait/Personality
"Sudanese" Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
Second Place Portrait/Personality
"Carnival Worker" Kent Sievers/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Portrait/Personality
"Robert Rands" Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
HM Portrait/Personality
"Smoke" Jeff Bundy/Omaha World-Herald
HM Portrait/Personality
"Prayer" Lane Hickenbottom/Grand Island Independent

First Place Illustration
"Fashion" Jim Burnett/Omaha World-Herald
Second Place Illustration
"Technology Gifts" Kiley Cruse/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Illustration
"Snake" Rebecca Gratz/Omaha World-Herald
HM Illustration
"Tractor Tires" Barrett Stinson/Grand Island Independent

First Place Pictorial
"Fog² Mark Davis/Omaha World-Herald
Second Place Pictorial
"Balloon" Rebecca Gratz/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Pictorial
"Stables" Jim Burnett/Omaha World-Herald
HM Pictorial
"Tire tracks" William Lauer/Lincoln Journal Star
HM Pictorial
"Flag" Lane Hickenbottom/Grand Island Independent

First Place Sports Action
"Wrestling² Jeff Bundy/Omaha World-Herald
Second Place Sports Action
"Quarterback" Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Sports Action
"Under the Helmet" Chris Machian/Freelance
HM Sports Action
"Volleyball Dive" Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
HM Sports Action
"Missing the Pass" Kent Sievers/Omaha World-Herald
HM Sports Action
³Pole Vault" William Lauer/Lincoln Journal Star

First Place Sports Feature
"South Sioux Hug" Dior Azcuy/Lincoln Journal Star
Second Place Sports Feature
"Soccer Jube" Jeff Bundy/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Sports Feature
"Red and Yellow" Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
HM Sports Feature
"Touchdown Celebration" Jeff Beiermann/Omaha World-Herald
HM Sports Feature
"Victory" Laura Inns/Omaha World-Herald

First Place Multiple Picture Package
"Fair" Lane Hickenbottom/Grand Island Independent
Second Place Multiple Picture Package
"Kabuki" Rebecca Gratz/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Multiple Picture Package
"Iraq" Jeff Bundy/Omaha World-Herald
HM Multiple Picture Package
"Fort Robinson" Jim Burnett/Omaha World-Herald

First Place Picture Story
"Alzheimers" Scott Kingsley/Grand Island Independent
Second Place Picture Story
"Crossroads" William Lauer/Lincoln Journal Star
Third Place Picture Story
"SIDS" Laura Inns/Omaha World-Herald
HM Picture Story
"Fair" Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
HM Picture Story
"Afghanistan" Dior Azcuy/Lincoln Journal Star

2005 Nebraska College Photographer of the Year
Brian Lehmann/UNL

Runner-up College Photographer of the Year
Kris Kolden/UNL

Professional - STILL

First Place General News:
"Teacher of the Year” Phil Johnson/Omaha World-Herald
Second Place General News:
“Arlington Funeral” Rebecca Gratz/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place General News:
“SIDS” Laura Inns/Omaha World-Herald

First Place Spot News:
“Katrina” Kent Sievers/Omaha World-Herald
Second Place Spot News:
“Grass Fire” Phil Johnson/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Spot News:
“Soldier’s Defiance” Jeff Bundy/Omaha World-Herald
HM Spot News:
“Fire” Lane Hickenbottom/Grand Island Independent

First Place Feature:
“Sledding” Jeff Beiermann/Omaha World-Herald
Second Place Feature:
“Crop Duster” Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Feature:
“Storm Troopers” Kent Sievers/Omaha World-Herald
HM Feature:
“Elvis” Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
HM Feature:
“Choir” Rebecca Gratz/Omaha World-Herald
HM Feature:
“Lamb” Dior Azcuy/Lincoln Journal Star

First Place Portrait/Personality:
“Sudanese” Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
Second Place Portrait/Personality:
“Carnival Worker” Kent Sievers/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Portrait/Personality:
“Robert Rands” Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
HM Portrait/Personality:
“Smoke” Jeff Bundy/Omaha World-Herald
HM Portrait/Personality:
“Prayer” Lane Hickenbottom/Grand Island Independent

First Place Illustration:
“Fashion” Jim Burnett/Omaha World-Herald
Second Place Illustration:
“Technology Gifts” Kiley Cruse/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Illustration:
“Snake” Rebecca Gratz/Omaha World-Herald
HM Illustration:
“Tractor Tires” Barrett Stinson/Grand Island Independent

First Place Pictorial:
“Fog” Mark Davis/Omaha World-Herald
Second Place Pictorial:
“Balloon” Rebecca Gratz/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Pictorial
“Stables” Jim Burnett/Omaha World-Herald
HM Pictorial:
“Tire tracks” William Lauer/Lincoln Journal Star
HM Pictorial:
“Flag” Lane Hickenbottom/Grand Island Independent

First Place Sports Action:
“Wrestling” Jeff Bundy/Omaha World-Herald
Second Place Sports Action:
“Quarterback” Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Sports Action:
“Under the Helmet” Chris Machian/Freelance
HM Sports Action:
“Volleyball Dive” Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
HM Sports Action:
“Missing the Pass” Kent Sievers/Omaha World-Herald
HM Sports Action:
“Pole Vault” William Lauer/Lincoln Journal Star

First Place Sports Feature:
“South Sioux Hug” Dior Azcuy/Lincoln Journal Star
Second Place Sports Feature:
“Soccer Jube” Jeff Bundy/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Sports Feature:
“Red and Yellow” Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
HM Sports Feature:
“Touchdown Celebration” Jeff Beiermann/Omaha World-Herald
HM Sports Feature:
“Victory” Laura Inns/Omaha World-Herald


First Place Multiple Picture Package:
“Fair” Lane Hickenbottom/Grand Island Independent
Second Place Multiple Picture Package:
“Kabuki” Rebecca Gratz/Omaha World-Herald
Third Place Multiple Picture Package:
“Iraq” Jeff Bundy/Omaha World-Herald
HM Multiple Picture Package:
“Fort Robinson” Jim Burnett/Omaha World-Herald

First Place Picture Story:
“Alzheimers” Scott Kingsley/Grand Island Independent
Second Place Picture Story:
“Crossroads” William Lauer/Lincoln Journal Star
Third Place Picture Story:
“SIDS” Laura Inns/Omaha World-Herald
HM Picture Story
“Fair” Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald
HM Picture Story
“Afghanistan” Dior Azcuy/Lincoln Journal Star

2005 Nebraska Photographer of the Year:
Matt Miller/Omaha World-Herald

Runner-up Photographer of the Year:
Kent Sievers/Omaha World-Herald

College Division:

First Place General News:
“Jim Exon” Brian Lehmann/UNL
Second Place General News:
“Fire” Alyssa Schukar/ UNL
Third Place General News:
“Cadet” Greg Blobaum/UNL
HM General News:
“Flag” Greg Blobaum/UNL

First Place Spot News:
“Drowning” Kris Kolden/UNL
Second Place Spot News
“Fire” Kris Kolden/UNL
Third Place Spot News:
“Wreckage” Alyssa Schukar/ UNL

First Place Feature:
“Harvesting Wheat” Brian Lehmann/UNL
Second Place Feature:
“Fireworks” Brian Lehmann/UNL
Third Place Feature:
“Plunge” Greg Blobaum/UNL

First Place Portrait/Personality:
“Burried” Brian Lehmann/UNL
Second Place Portrait/Personality:
“Relaxing” Teresa Prince/UNL
Third Place Portrait/Personality:
“Diving Board” Brian Lehmann/UNL
HM Portrait/Personality:
“Gymnist” Alyssa Schukar/ UNL
HM Portrait/Personality:
“Make-up Check” Teresa Prince/UNL
HM Portrait/Personality:
“Writing” Kris Kolden/UNL

First Place Illustration:
“Clothes” Hillary Sorensen/UNL
Second Place Illustration:
“Champagne” Hillary Sorensen/UNL
Third Place Illustration:
“Clothes” Hillary Sorensen/UNL

First Place Pictorial:
“Cranes” Brian Lehmann/UNL
Second Place Pictorial:
“Balloon” Kris Kolden/UNL
Third Place Pictorial:
“Lightening” Brian Lehmann/UNL
HM Pictorial:
“Water” Brian Lehmann/UNL
HM Pictorial:
“Dusk” Brian Lehmann/UNL

First Place Sports Action:
“Wrestling” Kris Kolden/UNL
Second Place Sports Action:
“Puck” Robert Meyer/UNL
Third Place Sports Actionv
“Diving Stop” Chris Van Kat/UNL
HM Sports Action:
“Face Mask” Robert Meyer/UNL
HM Sports Action:
“Homeplate” Michelle Bishop/UNO
HM Sports Action:
“Swimming” Teresa Prince/UNL

First Place Sports Feature:
“Run” Brian Lehmann/UNL
Second Place Sports Feature:
“Dog” Robert Meyer/UNL
Third Place Sports Feature:
“Third Goal” Robert Meyer/UNL
HM Sports Feature:
“Body Paint” Alyssa Schukar/UNL
HM Sports Feature:
“Rodeo” Robert Meyer/UNL

First Place Multiple Picture Package:
“Harvest” Brian Lehmann/UNL
Second Place Multiple Picture Package:
“Drowning” Kris Kolden/UNL
Third Place Multiple Picture Package:
“Detasseling” Brian Lehmann/UNL

First Place Picture Story:
“Platte River” Brian Lehmann/UNL
Second Place Picture Story:
“Quinceanera” Alyssa Schukar/UNL
Third Place Picture Story:
“Hurricane” Alyssa Schukar/UNL

2005 Nebraska College Photographer of the Year:
Brian Lehmann/UNL

Runner-up College Photographer of the Year:
Kris Kolden/UNL

(Thanks, Pete Soby, Ray Meints)