Fort Leavenworth Lamp newspaper earns awards in 2025 Kansas journalism competition

The Fort Leavenworth Lamp staff received several awards across a variety of categories in the 2025 Kansas Press Association Awards of Excellence competition, KPA announced April 9.

In the annual competition, the work of journalists from across the state is judged, by members of another state’s comparable press organization, against that of their peers. The Lamp was awarded five first-place awards, four second-place awards and four third-place awards.

This year’s awards include recognition for some of the Lamp’s contributors.

FIRST-RATE CONTRIBUTIONS

First place: Feature Story

“Stitched with Love,” by volunteer writer Dani Lander, celebrated the work of volunteers who crochet blankets and hats for babies served by Army Community Service’s New Parent Support Program. Lander’s article earned first place in the Feature Story category.

“This entry wins me over for so many reasons. Good writing is always key, but this piece trumpets the needs of military families, and that is something we all need to do more. Plus, who doesn't love cute babies?” the category judge commented.

Third-place:

Best Story/Picture Combination

On-the-job trainee Spc. Kalisber Ortega Santiago, NCO Journal social media manager, and Lamp Editor Prudence Siebert covered the Operation: Deploy Your Dress pop-up event for members of Army Corrections Brigade just prior to ODYD’s grand opening last fall, earning the writer/photographer team third place in Best Story/Picture Combination for single-day event coverage.

“What a great way to help many participate in the event. I love how the community comes together to make this happen,” the judge remarked. “The pictures really show the emotion.”

To read the article, see the Aug. 15, 2024, issue of the Lamp or visit https://www.army.mil/article/278938/fort_leavenworth_operation_deploy_your_dress.

Second-place: Feature Package

Essays by Unified School District 207 students complemented the Lamp’s Freedom Walk coverage, crediting Siebert as photographer and the USD 207 students for their chosen essays, which they read aloud at the annual Sept. 11, 2001, commemoration ceremony. The entry took second place in the Feature Package category, which is judged on the quality of writing, photography and layout.

“Dynamic photos, but the best part is taking the time to include the children's comments and photos,” the judge commented. “This is a very special page, years after an historic, tragic event. Great job.”

To see the 9-11 commemoration feature package, see the Sept. 12, 2024, issue of the Lamp. Some of the images are also posted at https://www.army.mil/article/279623/fort_leavenworth_community_celebrates_freedom_at_annual_9_11_commemoration.

First place: Photo Package

Former Lamp staff writer Melissa Bower, now the public affairs officer for the City of Leavenworth, got a shout-out when one of her photos joined several of Siebert’s images, pulled from the Lamp’s archives, to create the Memorial Day Special Section two-page photo spread “Remembering Our Fallen,” which placed first in the Photo Package category.

“Fantastic all around. You captured this perfectly,” the judge wrote.

The Lamp’s 2024 Memorial Day Special Section is available for viewing and download at https://home.army.mil/leavenworth/application/files/1317/1649/4452/reduced_Memorial_Day_SPECIAL_SECTION_5.27.24.pdf.

EDITOR RECOGNITION

First-place: General News Photo

During the Command and General Staff Officer Course graduation ceremony last June, Siebert took a photo of a graduate blowing a kiss to his wife from across the auditorium. The photo, which ran in the June 13, 2024, issue of the Lamp, placed first in the General News Photography category, which is judged on timeliness, impact and technical quality.

“This is an outstanding photo and certainly deserves first-place honors in this category,” the judge commented. “The photographer captured the moment yet framed the picture very well with the others. Outstanding job. Outstanding photo.”

First place: Best Environmental Portrait

Siebert’s photograph of George Pettigrew, executive vice president of the Alexander/Madison Chapter - Greater Kansas City/Leavenworth Area 9th and 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association, pausing in front of the Buffalo Soldier Monument while giving guided tours of the Buffalo Soldier Commemorative Area, placed first in the Best Environmental Portrait category.

“Great photography. Perfect tie in to the story,” the judge wrote. “This photo makes me want to read about Mr. Pettigrew. Well done.”

Read the full story from that day in the Aug. 1, 2024, issue of the Lamp or at https://www.army.mil/article/278541/fort_leavenworth_observes_buffalo_soldiers_day_with_ceremony_tours.

First place: Best Story/Picture Combination

Siebert’s coverage of the reinterment ceremony for World War II pilot 2nd Lt. John E. McLauchlen received first place in the Best Story/Picture Combination category, which recognizes stories best told with a combination of text and visual elements.

“This one really touched my heart. The family being able to get closure, the honors bestowed to that pilot. Great job,” the judge commented.

The ceremony coverage ran in the July 11, 2024, issue of the Lamp, as well as at https://www.army.mil/article/277930/wwii_pilot_laid_to_rest_80_years_after_going_missing_in_action.

Second-place: Feature Story

Siebert’s story about Fort Leavenworth resident Danielle Springall’s sharing her gift for glam and volunteerism with a nonprofit veterans’ organization resulted in second-place recognition in the Feature Story category.

“Great use of art along with the story. A lot of journalists make the art of less importance to their detriment. Plus, a well written, interesting story,” the judge commented.

“Local veteran is ‘Miss April’ in 2025 Pin-Ups For Vets calendar” can be read in the Sept. 12, 2024, issue of the Lamp and at https://www.army.mil/article/279624/fort_leavenworth_veteran_is_miss_ april_in_2025_pin_ups_for_vets_calendar.

Second-place: Series

After fellow Fort Leavenworth Stray Facility volunteer Marisa Ranney sent her a funny Facebook post of pitbulls all wearing the same duckie onesie, Siebert decided to follow last year’s successful holiday-themed pet promotion “Adoptable Pets in Ugly Sweaters” with “Who Wore It Best” fashion duels, dressing two adoptable FLSF pets in the same costume, ranging from a Santa suit to cat pajamas, each week through the Christmas holiday season and encouraging Facebook and Instagram viewers to vote for their favorites.

“Really? Could anything be more appealing than this?” the Series category judge wrote. “I am totally stealing this idea to help connect our readers with forever pets who need a home! Great job.”

The multiple-week adoption campaign won second place in the Series category, as well as helped find homes for all of the adoptable pets except Gracie, a mixed-breed dog who won her “Who Wore It Best” duel against tuxedo cat Rebel Kitty, both dressed in an elf costume. Gracie was adopted earlier this month.

Third-place: Series

Fort Leavenworth volunteerism was also lauded with third-place recognition in the Series category, highlighting the volunteer contributions of individuals and units and volunteer opportunities with area organizations. The Volunteer Organization Spotlights appeared in several issues of the Lamp throughout 2024 and featured Stronghold Food Pantry, Mission Command Training Program, Munson Army Health Center, Fort Leavenworth Stray Facility, Court-Appointed Special Advocates, Fort Leavenworth Spouses’ Club, Human Animal Bond, English Language Support Course, and the Combined Arms Research Library.

“This is a very nice presentation for your readers. In addition to the design and the writing, the pictures of the food pantry, especially, tell an amazing story for your readers,” the judge noted.

Second place: Photographer of the Year

Siebert took second place in the Photographer of the Year category. Photojournalists submit a portfolio of their work from the year to be judged against others from all Kansas newspaper circulation divisions.

“This photographer does a fantastic job in covering the community and capturing the moments in a wonderful way for the readers,” the judge wrote.

Third place: Feature Package

Siebert’s “Top Dog” story about Military Working Dog team Sgt. Gerald Leith III and MWD Zira received third place in Feature Package.

“This is so interesting and inspirational,” the judge commented. “The photos are beautiful. Really nice feature.”

The story appeared in the Sept. 26, 2024, issue of the Lamp, as well as at https://www.army.mil/article/ 280036/fort_leavenworth_k_9_team_earns_top_dog_distinction.

Third-place: News and Writing Excellence

The Fort Leavenworth Lamp took third in News and Writing Excellence, with the story about Leith and Zira’s accomplishments again drawing a judge’s interest. Three complete issues from the first, middle and last periods of the year are evaluated on writing style, headlines, originality, and interest in this category.

“Good context; headlines draw readers in,” the judge wrote. “Good structure in storytelling. Enjoyed the story about the Top Dog distinction.”

The Fort Leavenworth Lamp is produced weekly and is posted online Thursdays at https://home.army.mil/leavenworth/about/news. Readers can check the link each week or have a link to the new issue delivered to their inbox by e-mailing usarmy.leavenworth.id-training.mbx.pao-inbox @army.mil. Reminders can also be received and the links accessed via the My Army Post App, available at Google Play and the App Store.

The Lamp welcomes event information, story ideas, photography and reporting submissions, as well as volunteer writers and interns. E-mail ftlvlampeditor@ gmail.com for more information.