Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Grunion Gazette Entry Title: Recount A Necessity Entry Credit: Harry Saltzgaver Judge Comment: This piece, of all the columns I read, seems most likely to actually make an impact. It was about a specific issue, it presented evidence, it had a point of view. Writing was clear.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: San Quentin News Entry Title: The stark reality of prison, COVID and the public perception Entry Credit: Marcus Henderson Judge Comment: This was the most emotionally impactful column to a broader audience. Well written. Kudos to the writer for putting pen to paper.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Camarillo Acorn Entry Title: Wearing us down during the holidays Entry Credit: Daniel Wolowicz Judge Comment: This one was funny. Kind of one long dad joke. A solid effort. Didn't really take much of a stand though. Don't think it will change minds.
Place Name: Fourth Place Contestant Name: Camarillo Acorn Entry Title: Students' act was cruel and cowardly Entry Credit: Daniel Wolowicz Judge Comment: Good on you for calling out bigotry. But I don't think this was emotionally resonant enough to change minds.
Place Name: Fifth Place Contestant Name: San Quentin News Entry Title: What role does society play in the development of felons? Entry Credit: Marcus Henderson Judge Comment: Glad to see him writing and reflecting on himself and life in San Quentin for the rest of the world to see. Keep writing and striving to improve.
