Feb. 4, 2010

The Paul Hansell Award

for distinguished achievement in Florida journalism

Dear Editor:

The Paul Hansell Award for Distinguished Achievement in Florida Journalism will be presented at the June FSNE convention. The contest is open to all individuals who write for a Florida newspaper. The winner receives $1,000.

The late Paul Hansell was a long-time Associated Press bureau chief in Florida and a former member of FSNE.

Deadline for the contest is March 19, 2010. The rules are simple:

• The Award is for overall excellence in reporting and writing, either news or editorials, by an individual writing for a Florida newspaper. Judges will pay particular attention to the sum of a writer's work, its range and diversity.
• For purposes of judging, each entry is limited to 10 articles. However, entries may include additional back-up materials to give judges an overview of the scope of the writer's work.
• Newspapers must submit FOUR copies of each individual entry. Each newspaper may submit a maximum of two entries.
• The material submitted must have been published in a Florida newspaper during the 12 months ending Dec. 31, 2009. If the work has extended over a longer period, it must have included significant development during the last 12 months.
• Entries should be mounted on letter-size paper and enclosed in four standard file folders, each identified with the name of the paper and the name of the writer.
• The entry fee is $50.
• Entries must be received by 5 p.m. by Friday, March 19, 2010. Send entries to:

Jim Baltzelle
Florida Chief of Bureau
Associated Press
9100 Northwest 36th St.
Suite 111
Miami, FL 33178