Smith wins five awards in national contest
Paul A. Smith, outdoors editor for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, won five awards in the 2020 Excellence in Craft contest of the Outdoor Writers Association of America.
The awards included first place in newspaper fishing and newspaper outdoor fun and adventure.
The organization announced the results of the competition June 28 at its 2020 annual meeting. The meeting, originally planned for Jay's Peak, Vermont, was held remotely via videoconferences due to the coronavirus pandemic.
With the five awards, Smith tied Justine E. Hausheer of The Nature Conservancy and Kris Millgate of TIght Line Media for most writing awards in the competition, and he won more than any other member in the newspaper category.
Smith has been a member of OWAA since 1995 and outdoors editor for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel since 2008.
Recognized as “The Voice of the Outdoors,” OWAA is the nation's largest organization of professional outdoor journalists. Its membership includes writers, photographers, videographers, radio and TV personalities, digital storytellers and artists.
Formed in 1927, the nonprofit association's mission is to improve the professional skills and opportunities of its members, set the highest ethical and communications standards, encourage public enjoyment and conservation of natural resources and mentor the next generation of professional outdoor communicators.
It sponsors an annual competition for its members in newspaper, magazine, television, photography and other categories. The top three entries in each category are awarded with cash prizes and certificates.
List of winning entries from Smith (all appeared in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and on jsonline.com):
First Place, Newspaper/Fishing, “Fishing, Ice Safety Help Woman Tackle Her Grief”
First Place, Newspaper/Outdoor Fun & Adventure, “Hand-Lining in Belize Is a Link to the Past”
Second Place, Column (three 2019 columns, published Jan. 10 "Budget should include license fee increases," April 21 "Reflecting on Leopold on Earth Day" and Nov. 7 "Hunters bullets are poisoning bald eagles").
Second Place, Newspaper/Fishing, “Hand-Lining in Belize Is a Link to the Past”
Third Place, Newspaper/Hunting or Shooting Sports, “Tradition At This Deer Camp Includes Copper Bullets”