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Times of San Diego staff members and contributors took home 36 awards Tuesday at the San Diego Press Club‘s 52nd annual Excellence in Journalism event, with contributing photographer Chris Stone getting 11 alone. More than 500 awards in 130 categories and 10 divisions were awarded to professional and student reporters, writers, artists, photographers, videographers and public relations professionals. “Despite cutbacks, the pace of technology, and threats to the First Amendment, our dedicated members of the San Diego region’s news media are producing outstanding work. It is our privilege to honor and recognize them with our awards,” said Elaine Masters, a freelance travel write who chaired the Press Club event. The event began with two special awards for lifetime achievement in San Diego media: Ginny Creighton of KGTV 10 News received the Harold Keen Award for Outstanding Contributions in Journalism Julie Wright, founder of (W)right On Communications, received the Andy Mace Award for Career Achievement in Public Relations Times of San Diego’s Chris Stone was joined in the awards by her husband Ken, who took home six, one of which was shared with Chris. Other winners on the Times of San Diego staff included Scott Hopkins (5 awards), JW August (5 awards), Rick Griffin (3 awards), Marsha Sutton (1 award) and Chris Jennewein (1 award). Four spring and summer interns received awards: Serena Neumeyer, Gabrielle Wallace, James Miller and Swasti Singhai. Singhai also received the annual Frank Saldana Memorial Scholarship. She is a third-year student at UC Berkely studying chemistry and legal studies. “I’m super grateful to receive this scholarship and want to send my appreciation to the Saldana family. This scholarship will be super beneficial for me to continue reporting while being a full-time student,” said Swasti. Times of San Diego has received the best news site award in eight of the past 10 years, but this year took second place to the San Diego Union-Tribune. This year’s contest recognized work from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Members of 15 journalism professional organizations from around the country assisted with the judging.
