Awards
recognizing writing talent

Texas State Award

American Cancer Society for Portraits of Courage,
profiles of 18 cancer survivors


National Newspaper Association Awards
(2,500 member newspapers)

First place in the nation
 Best Investigative or In-depth Story or Series,
Branded for Life, on consensual teenage sex

First place in the nation
Life and Living section in Southeast Texas

Best Business Story 
Construction Nightmare, new home horror story

Best Business Story 
Investment with a View, Bolivar Peninsula’s growth

Best Obituary 
Saying goodbye to a hero
Police Officer Mike Lane

Best Sports Feature
 Dying to Succeed
High school athletes on steroids


Press Club of Southeast Texas Awards

Investigative/Special Reports for Branded for Life,
series on consensual teenage sex
(Judge’s comments - “Brings much needed attention to timely
subject matter. Organized and efficient style.”)

Investigative/Special Reports for Seeking Child Support,
CRS Gets Wrong Guy
(Judge’s comments - “Brilliant story idea. Puts reader on the
end of his seat. Fine use of strong investigative skills that cannot be taught.”)

Business Story for An Investment with a View about Bolivar Peninsula’s growth and real estate market
(Judge’s comments - “Good job going beyond the press
release and going in depth. Useful information for
investors and property owners.”)

Sports Feature for Bum: Coaching in the Shadow of a Legend, an
in-depth personal profile of the legendary Texas football coach only three
weeks after he suffered a major coronary and triple by-pass surgery.
Author spent the day with he and his wife, Debbie, on their ranch in Goliad, Texas.
(Judge’s comments - “I always wondered what happened
to Bum Phillips. A lot of info on a man whose name
you can’t forget.”)

Breaking News Story for 2 Faces, a story on a father with
seemingly two absolutely different sides.
(Judge’s comments - “Great lead to interest the reader.
This story was very interesting given its ironic twist.
The article was well researched and sourced. Great story
linking the two news items.”)

Feature Story on Putting the Pieces Together Again written
about a teen who had been kidnapped and raped.
(Judge’s comments - An emotional story told without sentimentality,
packed with emotional punch. Simply superb!”)

Investigative/Special reports - Our Streets by Night - a story
about prostitutes and drugs and the people who live these
lives written from in-depth interviews and time
spent on the streets of Beaumont.
(Judge’s comments - “Remarkable investigative story
into a heavy subject that demands to be told. Brave,
hard-hitting and full of truth often too hard to hear.”)

 

Brenda Cannon Henley
Photography by Renate
Personal Photographer Ted Henley
 

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