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02/16/2018

Weekly and collegiate contest winners, top carriers honored at convention

Hooper 2018The ONMA weekly contest is named after Osman Hooper, one of the most important figures in Ohio journalism. He spent 58 years at The Columbus Dispatch, became a journalism professor at Ohio State, wrote a book in 1933, “The History of Ohio Journalism,” and for many years conducted the annual “Ohio Newspaper Show” that was part of the convention of one of our predecessor organizations, the Buckeye Press Association. He died in 1941 at the age of 83.

The top winners based on points are honored at the ONMA Convention Luncheon. Here are the 2018 grand-prize winners:

  • Division A, the Athens News.
  • Division B, the Geauga County Maple Leaf.
  • Division C, the Morgan County Herald.
  • Division D, the Yellow Springs News.

The collegiate awards in general excellence are named after ONMA’s retired executive director, Frank E. Deaner. The 2018 Frank E. Deaner Awards for General Excellence in Collegiate Journalism went to The Post at Ohio University in Division A and Cedars, from Cedarville University in Division B.



Carrier of the Year Awards


Riley BorgerdingRiley Borgerding
Marysville Journal-Tribune
Marysville, OH
2017 Youth Carrier of the Year

In the short time that Riley Bordgerding has been delivering the Journal-Tribune, she has made a large impression with her customers.  Each and every day Riley delivers she goes above and beyond to make sure her 93 customers are well taken care of. 

‘Reece’-ently, Riley stuffed the Thanksgiving edition with a 2 pack of Reece’s cups to show her appreciation for her customers.  Not only did the subscribers appreciate the extra mile that Riley went, so did the Journal-Tribune with a front page story. 

Cheryl Welty, Riley’s manager, says “Riley takes the extra effort to correspond with each customer” and “all of her efforts have been rewarded by the customers with a large amounts of tips”. 


Julie HeldJulie Held
The Blade
Toledo, OH
2017 Adult Carrier of the Year

Our adult Carrier of the Year winner, Julie Held, has found that “a clean and dry newspaper delivered at a predictable time and place, is the key to keeping the subscribers happy.”  With an attitude like Julie’s it goes to show that the doing little things and going the extra mile can make a lasting impact.  As her DM, Bob Borer, has the honor and privilege to work with her during her 19 years delivering The Blade. 

As a carrier, Julie finds it “ridiculous” to be able to get paid and do what she loves, driving the NW Ohio roads at night and listing to talk radio.  Julie’s 230+ subscribers appreciate what she loves to do and the service that she provides them.

 

Freda EdwardsFreda Edwards
Wilmington News-Journal
Wilmington, OH
2017 Senior Carrier of the Year

One word can be used to describe the Senior Carrier of the Year award winner Freda Edwards, DEDICATED.  For the past 40 years, Freda has been delivering newspapers for the News-Journal. In Wilmington.  During her carrier, Freda has never missed a delivery day which includes working through illness’ and the dark days when her husband passed away.  Freda explains her willingness to work, “you have a job to do and no one is going to do it for you, so you keep on going”.  This mentality makes her a favorite amongst her fellow carriers and the staff of the News-Journal. 

When Freda is not delivering to her 180+ subscribers, she spends her time baking cookies and other baked goods for her friends and the patients at the local nursing home she visits frequently.  Freda’s manager, Dawn Gunkel says, “Freda is one of the kindest people that I know, and I believe if we had more people like her, the world would be a much better place”.

 

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