Awards

To read more of Bonnie’s work click on her Clips page. Or click What’s New for her most recent publications.

2021 Awards

National Federation of Press Women

First place, Editorial/opinion
My entries competed in the “At Large” competition which included entries from states without NFPW chapters and included: New York, Oregon, Ohio, Colorado, New Hampshire, Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, Minnesota, Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, Maryland, Florida, South Dakota, Louisiana, Tennessee, Iowa, Kentucky and Washington.

My first place win went on to win the National competition. This was the column that won:
Ohio Department of Health needs to release hospital data

From the judge: Great column that calls for transparency. Written in a clear voice and powerful tone, it demands officials be accountable and public data be released. Great job!

Second place, Editorial/opinion
Obergefell note gives gay teen hope about same-sex marriage
From the judge: A beautifully done column. There’s a wonderful mixture of news, stats and powerful human stories that all combine to make this a fantastic column.

Third place, Editorial/opinion
Not the time for ‘not all’ rebuttals to racism
From the judge: Well-written column with a very powerful message. The columnist’s voice is strong and purposeful.

Honorable mention Editorial/opinion
Madam Vice President has a nice ring to it
From the judge: The columnist’s emotion is so powerful and flows through the entire column.

Second place, Science or Technology
Appalachian Land Grant University, Community College Break New Ground on COVID Filtration Solution

From the judge: Well-written article showcasing and detailing the work of Isabel Escobar and the collaboration she undertook with Eric Wooldridge. Fascinating to learn of their work separately and how it all comes together when they in-turn begin their work together. Your selection of images was perfect for the piece. They brought the story forward and added great dimension.

Second place, government or politics specialty article
Who should keep an eye on drug seizure accounts?
From the judge: Thorough reporting on an important and complex issue.

Freelance Lunch for Freelance writers SPJ

Best Continuing Coverage
Ohio hospitals remain mum on changes to local bed and ventilator counts; uncertainty affects local patients
And
After seven month legal battle, Eye on Ohio wins public records lawsuit over hospital capacity numbers
Media Outlet: Eye on Ohio, Ohio Center for Journalism Judge’s Comment: Excellent, vital and well-written work. The reporters didn’t shy away from following an important public-records battle and explaining why it should matter to readers. When Eye on Ohio got the data it fought for, it created regularly updated charts that enabled the public to see where hospitals experienced bed and equipment shortages throughout the state.

Best Environmental/Science
Media Outlet: Eye on Ohio, Ohio Center for Journalism
We mapped out the toxic wastewater discharges along the Ohio River. Here’s what we learned.

Judge’s Comment: Good use of data, and the writers didn’t lose the human element where it could add to the story and keep the reader engaged. Solid reporting.

First Amendment Award
Finalist: “After Seven Months Legal Battle, Eye on Ohio Wins Public Records Lawsuit Over Hospital Capacity Numbers”ENTRANTS: Bonnie Jean Feldkamp, Kathiann Kowalski, Lucia Walinchus, Brian Bardwell and Boniface Womber
Media Outlet: Eye on Ohio, Ohio Center for Journalism

Best Reporting on Child/Youth/Teen Issues
Finalist

2020 Awards

Ohio SPJ Awards

Best Criticism/Editorial (Print 60,000+ Circulation)
First Place : Metro driver, worry about safety not morality
Second Place: Sexual harassment of girls starts during middle school
Best Criticism/Editorial (Digital Media)
Second Place: Tattooing over scars helps with trauma, healing; Kentucky’s ban a loss of that control
Best Freelance Writer (Digital Media)
Second Place: See clips HERE

Press Club of Cleveland

Single Editorial
First Place
Sexual harassment of girls starts during middle school
Bonnie Jean Feldkamp
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Third Place
Tattooing over scars helps with trauma, healing; Kentucky’s ban a loss of that control
The Cincinnati Enquirer

BEST IN OHIO: Editorial
Third Place
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Online Feature Story
First Place
Ohio River Stories Series
Eye on Ohio The collaboration among news organizations results in a valuable, in-depth portrait of the Ohio River. Threats to the river, and its potential, are brought to life in the diverse series of stories.

Bonnie Jean Feldkamp Wrote the following two stories for this series:
We mapped out the toxic wastewater discharges along the Ohio River. Here’s what we learned.
The Ohio River community of Newport bands together to slow runoff and add greenspace

National Federation of Press Women

The “At Large” competition contest included entrants from Colorado, Kentucky, South Dakota, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, North Carolina, Arizona, New Jersey, Maine, Michigan and Georgia. My first place wins then competed at the national level.

First place, Editorial/Opinion
This entry won the At-Large contest and went on to win at the national level in this category: Sexual harassment of girls starts during middle school

Judges Comments
“”Comes to the topic from an excellent perspective and doesn’t just form an opinion but also adds sensible advice. Best in a very tough category.”

“This is a compelling piece. I appreciate that you share a personal anecdote, provide input from an expert in Dr. Brown, and then lay out a plan for moving forward. Excellent job!”

Second Place, Editorial/Opinion
Give Covington Catholic students room to process without harassment

Judges Comments
“I appreciate that you provide a fresh angle on a topic that was widely covered in the media around the time of the incident. I think you give an important reminder that the subjects of the video were minors at the time. Great job!”

First Place, Specialty Articles, Green/Environmental
This entry won the At-Large contest and went on to earn an honorable mention at the national level in this category: Ohio River community bands together to slow runoff and add greenspace

Judges Comments
“Well written article with good flow from one idea to another. The author does a good job of explaining the issues faced and the solutions proposed.”

“A well-written story about an important topic. I learned something new.”

Society of Professional Journalists Greater Cincinnati Pro Chapter

First Place, Best Editorial
The Cincinnati Enquirer – cincinnati.com

Judge’s Comment:
Thoughtful presentation of opinion.

First Place, Best Environmental/Science Reporting Ohio River Stories Series
EyeOnOhio.com – OhioWatershed.org

Judge’s Comment: Excellent series on history, environmental issues. Well-researched and well-written.

Finalist, Best Environmental/Science Reporting
Campbell County Family Lives In Solar-Powered House They Built Themselves
River City News

Judge’s Comment: Great enterprise piece on people working to make the environment better.

Finalist, Best Health/Medical Reporting
How Kids’ Personalities Affect Behavior
Northeast Ohio Parent

2019 Awards

2019 Ohio Society of Professional Journalists “Best in Journalism” Awards

2nd place – BEST OF SHOW – Best Freelance Writer

1st place – Best Editorial

Judges Comments: “Unique and thoughtful insights on a variety of topics impacting families and children.”

2019 Greater Cincinnati Society of Professional Journalists Awards

Best Editorial – Finalist

2019 Press Club of Cleveland Excellence in Journalism Awards

Op-Ed for the Cincinnati Enquirer earned Third Place in the single Op-Ed Category.

Earned Third Place in the Best of Ohio: Best Editorial category for her work in the Cincinnati Enquirer and USA Today.

Judges Comments: “Bonnie Jean Feldkamp brings her personal and compelling knowledge into her well written editorials! Congratulations for her Informative and excellent presentations!”

2019 National Federation of Press Women

Op-Ed for USA TODAY won first place in the National Federation of Press Women Awards in the editorial/opinion online category.

2018 Awards

2018 Greater Cincinnati Society of Professional Journalists

Finalist in the Editorial category of the 2018 Excellence In Journalism Contest for my Cincinnati Family Magazine blog.

2018 Parent Media Association

Received Gold in March, 2018 for feature article “Press Repeat: Why Doing Things Over and Over Again is Smart for Toddlers” which published in Cincinnati Family Magazine‘s September, 2017 issue.

Judges Note: “This piece will entertain parents while teaching them. With concrete examples and good quote selection, the writer makes fascinating research on how toddlers learn easy to understand and apply.”