Our Awards Banquet was held at Yamatani Japanese Restaurant on Main Street in Bishop on April 29.
Fifty five awards were handed out to twenty eight recipients. We had received 156 entries in seventeen categories. They were judged by twelve, highly credentialed professors, retired writer association presidents and journalists, all residing in states other than California.
President Gary Graham presided over the evening.

Best Series of Photos – 1st place - Bill Becher, 2nd place -Tony Pena, 3rd place - Allen Riedel, Honorable Mention -Bill Becher.

Best TV Show – Tom Stienstra - 1st place.

Best Magazine Feature – 1st place - Lee Allen, 2nd place -Thomas C. Wilmer, 3rd place - Stacy Corless, Honorable Mention - Zack Thomas, Chuck Cardamon and Jim Jones.

Best Long Video – Craig Hanson - 1st place.

Best Travel Book – 1st place - Harry Medved, 2nd place - Robert Stone, 3rd place - Robert Stone.

Best Website – 1st place - John Loo, 2nd place - Gary Graham

Best Radio Show – 1ST place - Ed Zieralski, 2nd place - Thomas C. Wilmer, 3rd place - Ed Zieralski, Honorable Mention - John Henigan.

Best Feature Photo – 1st place - Allen Riedel, 2nd place - Bill Becher, 3rd place - Gary Graham, Honorable Mention - J.J.Mays, Bob Minenna.

Best Guide Book – 1st place - Tom Stienstra, 2nd place - Allen Riedel, 3rd place - Robert Stone, Honorable Mention - Lowell and Diana Lindsay.

Best News Report – 1st place - Tom Stienstra, 2nd place - Bill Becher, 3rd place - Ed Zieralski, Honorable Mention - Tom Martens.

Best Radio Report – 1st place - Tom Stienstra.

Best Newspaper Feature – 1st place - Tom Stienstra, 2nd place - Jonathan Rolden, 2nd place - Ed Zieralski, 3rd place - Bill Becher, Honorable Mention - Bill Becher.

Best Column – 1st place - Ed Zieralski, 2nd place - Tom Stienstra, 3rd place - Bill Ryan, Honorable Mention - Ed Zieralski.

Phil Ford Humor Award – 1st place - Mike McKenna, 2nd place - Stacy Corless, 3rd place - Bill Becher, Honorable Mention - Kathie Morgan.

Best Freelance Journalism – 1st place - Lee Allen, 2nd place - Paul Lebowitz, 3RD place - Bill Becher, Honorable Mention - Jack Holder.

John Reginato Conservation Award – 1st place - Carrie Wilson, 2nd place - Tom Stienstra, 3rd place - Ed Zieralski, Honorable Mention - Zack Thomas and Carrie Wilson.

OUTDOOR WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA WRITER OF THE YEAR – Tom Stienstra.

The competition was extremely tough. “It is more difficult to win an award in the OWAC competition than at the national level.” said Tom Stienstra in his acceptance speech for OWAC Writer of the Year. Tom would know; he has been winning countless awards in both the California and national arenas for decades. He was also honored with the first ever Founding Father Award for his efforts in founding the Outdoor Writers of California over twenty years ago.

Past Presidents Rick Copeland, Carol Martens and Jack Holder were presented with Past President Awards.

We also honored Shirley Miller with the President’s Award for her many years of unselfish and loyal service to our organization.