Awards

Gold: Parent:Wise Austin Magazine; "The Dyslexia Diagnosis: Better Readers, Happier Kids," Kim Pleticha and Julia Ramirez, writers
From definitions and detection to legally required accommodations and what to expect from schools, this story features strong reporting and a good variety of sources. The anecdotal lead -- in which  a teacher describes the difficulty in diagnosing her own daughter -- is a nice way to make parents feel less intimidated by this tricky problem.

Gold: Parent:Wise Austin Magazine; "Charter Schools: Do They Measure Up?" Kim Pleticha, writer
This well-written article assesses the value of charter schools. The lead, which looks at one parent's experience, draws you in. The writer does a nice job of balancing the information culled from reports, interviews and statistics. She keeps the focus where it needs to be: on the kids in the schools.

Gold: Parent:Wise Austin Magazine; "My Life as a Parent," Wendi Aarons, writer; Kim Pleticha, editor
This column features excellent scene-setting and showcases the columnist's ability to turn her inner thoughts into witty dialogue. Making jokes at one's own expense can be tricky business, but this columnist pulls it off with flair.

Gold: Parent:Wise Austin Magazine; Kim Pleticha, editor
The "Cool or Crummy" heading is clever and appropriate for readers of all ages. The products being subjected to review demonstrate a pleasing variety. The write-ups strike just the right tone.

News Briefs
Gold: Parent:Wise Austin Magazine; Kim Pleticha, editor
Excellent section with every headline in the section fully developed, much as you would see in any news section of a publication. The item topics were varied and local, and each one was tightly edited and informative.

Editor's Note
Gold: Parent:Wise Austin Magazine; Kim Pleticha, publisher
Personal, honest, tone-setting columns that set the stage for the publication in a way that really works. Written from the heart and it shows.

Bronze: Parent:Wise Austin Magazine; Aaron Romo, illustrator; Nisa Sharma, art director
The mother's facial expression perfectly illustrates the situation described in the text. The drawing is well-executed and draws the reader into the story.

Bronze: Parent:Wise Austin Magazine; "The Dyslexia Diagnosis," Nisa Sharma, art director; Alison Eden, photographer
Dyslexia is a terribly hard topic to shoot. This tiny child, reading while facing away from the camera, gives an anonymous face to the issue. The large white space makes the child and the lead tease stand out.

Gold: Parent:Wise Austin Magazine; Nisa Sharma, art director
Watching the children look in from the outside reinforces the theme of rethinking child poverty. Simple but effective. Nice job of working around having faces to avoid stereotypying.