I mean, really, what’s the point of having a blog if you can’t hand out imaginary awards that are voted on by only YOU?

I’m a big believer in recognizing the POSITIVE things going on in our world.  In news, we certainly see the bad.  A lot of it.  Day in and day out.  But I think KETV does a great job of also highlighting the GOOD.  The students who vote for a special needs friend for Homecoming King.  The community rallying around a family in their darkest hour.  A business finding incredible success through simple hard work and dedication to their craft.

As we close out on 2014, here are my Year In Review Local News awards.

(Thank you for continuing to read though you are probably doing so while laughing.. not with me, just AT me..)

2014 KETV REPORTER OF THE YEAR

KRISTYNA ENGDAHL 

This lady is just FANTASTIC.  I don’t have enough adjectives for her.  Beautiful.  HILARIOUS.  Sharp.  Well spoken.  Fearless.  Respected.  Kristyna’s stories are well written and solid; if she tells you something, you know it to be true and researched.  Kristyna’s live presence is just AWESOME.  She’s articulate, she gets to the point at a scene, she shares what viewers want and need to know.  When Kristyna’s in our newsroom, our coverage is GREAT.  We have so many incredible journalists on our team here at KETV, but for me, Kristyna is our 2014 reporter of the year.  Now, as a person.. SHE. IS. AWESOME.  My day is truly brighter when I come in to work and see that beautiful smile, then hear her joking at her desk.  (Then I usually snort coffee up my nose laughing, because she is HANDS DOWN the funniest person in our newsroom!)  Like I said, I don’t have enough adjectives for Kristyna.  I do have a message to her: THANK YOU for being you!

Kristyna’s work in 2014:

First interview with Nebraska Governor-Elect Pete Ricketts

$100 Reward offered for return of Baby Jesus

Survivor recalls Sunday morning crash

Follow Kristyna on Facebook and on Twitter!

***

2014 KETV PHOTOJOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

DAVE HYNEK (photo courtesy Jodi Hoatson, CHI Health)

Again, we have so many, SO MANY, incredibly talented photojournalists here at KETV.  Still, for me, Dave Hynek is THE BEST OF THE BEST.  Not just at KETV, but arguably, one of the best in the country.  Dave FEELS what he shoots–he captures moments with his eyes, his ears, and all of his senses.  I’ve been honored to share some INCREDIBLE stories this year and in 3/4 of those stories or more, Dave was the man behind the camera and in the edit bay, trying to piece together a vision I had written down on paper.  A brave, young woman speaking for the first time about the night her ex-boyfriend shot her in the face; Dave put the story together.  Our chronicle about Baby Lawrence, multiple stories spanning several months; Dave put the stories together.  Cassidy Collier, a teenager facing lifelong challenges after a terrible car crash; Dave put her story together.  The paralyzed bride who walked down the aisle, the Plattsmouth teenager who died from a mysterious illness, our one-on-one interview with former Nebraska football coach Bo Pelini–DAVE HYNEK was the man behind the scenes in each and everyone of these stories.  When we aren’t fighting over Dave in news, he’s also part of our sports team, often traveling with Andy to Nebraska football road games to shoot on the sidelines; AND he has his own production business, shooting weddings and special events.  Dave helped me put together my audition tape for the College World Series this year (singing, not playing baseball), asking nothing in return.  Dave may be one hell of a photographer, but he’s an even better FRIEND. Dave listens, works hard, he is KIND.  Hands down, he is THE BEST. (And a SUPERSTAR shortstop on the Team Paparazzi softball team!)

Dave’s work in 2014:

Cassi’s message

Saving Baby Lawrence

New mother battling terminal cancer

***

2014 PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, ANDREW BEIN

No picture of Andrew, our Executive Producer in charge of our 10pm newscasts.. and that’s the way he likes it.  Andrew is always behind the scenes, plugging away at his computer or up in our master control booth, and the DUDE IS A MACHINE.  Andrew could hands down be working in any big market or network outlet in the country; his writing in concise, accurate, and entertaining.  The numbers show it–with Andrew in control, KETV has not only the #1 10pm newscast in Omaha.. but one of the most popular newscasts in the country.  Rob and I TRUST him.  We know his scripts don’t have typos that could trip us up.  We know he’ll guide us through breaking news, weather coverage and an ever-changing environment where situations turn in a heartbeat.  Producers don’t often get the credit they deserve in our business–they don’t get their faces and names on our stories and coverage when things go great.  Andrew deserves it–he’s one of the best, and we are VERY lucky to have him on the KETV team!

***

2014 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

 

ALEXANDRA STONE

By ‘Rookie’, I mean new to us here at KETV, but certainly not new to this thing we call journalism.  This young woman is POISED, professional and quickly building a reputation in Omaha and beyond as a trusted journalist you can turn to for the story.  I recently put together a story with an interview Alexandra had conducted; she spoke with the mother of a young man who had been shot and killed.  These interviews are SO incredibly difficult.  What can you ask? What can you say? Alexandra was compassionate, caring, she asked the questions that we and our viewers wanted to know, but with tact and professionalism.  It was a lesson in how to conduct yourself in such a tough situation, to remember you are a fellow human being.  It was also Alexandra who, after 13 years in TV news, led me to CRY on air for the first time I can remember after seeing one of her stories.  Alexandra and photojournalist Matthew Lathan showed a young man with cerebral palsy, surprised on the field when his coach put him into the game for the first time all season.  It was just BEAUTIFUL story telling, and perhaps, a small glimpse of what incredible things this girl is capable of.

Alexandra’s work in 2014:

Bellevue football player receives sidelines surprise

Omaha native makes dream job reality

Women’s center helps immigrants escape domestic violence

Follow Alexandra on Facebook and on Twitter

***

I wish I had an ‘in’ with a trophy maker so I could hand out a few more awards.  To photojournalist Tyler White for editing not one, not two, but nearly ALL of my Throwback Thursday Huskers stories (some of which required deep digging into the KETV archives, converting countless forms of video, and piecing it all together with my less-than-stellar knowledge of football).  To KETV’s official EVERYTHING Josh Gear, who produces, shoots, edits.. OK, the guy just does anything and EVERYTHING asked of him, literally, working every shift we have at KETV, with no complaint.  To legendary directors Tom Rock and Ruth Behrens, who are not only PHENOMENAL at what they do, but are always putting on a pot of coffee or bringing in made-from-scratch chili, because they are just KIND, WONDERFUL people.  We’ve just got a really, REALLY great team here at KETV.

***

2014 STORY OF THE YEAR

For this one, I am completely, entirely, TOTALLY biased.  Because this one is very personal for me.  The story I will remember most from 2014..

THE PARALYZED BRIDE WHO WALKED DOWN THE AISLE

Gina Giaffoliogne-Springhower stunned her wedding guests and 1.65 MILLION viewers by doing what so many brides take for granted, walking down the aisle on her father’s arm.  The KETV team (myself, photojournalists Dave Hynek, Ashley Nodgaard and Tyler White, and Assistant News Director Vonn Jones), along with the Giaffoliogne family and CHI Health’s Jodi Hoatson, spent weeks planning and working to share Gina’s story.  Gina spent YEARS preparing for this one moment, an instant that brought me to tears and inspired millions of people around the globe.  Gina’s story was shared by E! Online, People Magazine, Dr. Oz, CNN, ABC World News and World News Now, Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, Courier Daily, and the NY Daily News, among others.  Gina–THANK YOU for sharing your story.  Your message, smile and spirit have no doubt changed lives, showing anyone facing a challenge that ANYTHING is possible.  You have given people hope.  To have any role in sharing your story is a blessing I can never say thank you enough for.  The world is at your fingertips, Gina–you are simple incredible.

My blog post previewing Gina’s piece: A Cinderella Story

KETV, Paralyzed bride walks down the aisle

KETV, Millions share paralyzed bride’s story

KETV, Paralyzed bride invited to Dr. Oz

Gina hopes to continue to speak across the Midwest and the country sharing her story and her inspiring message.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

***

I have many goals for 2015.  I want to finish (and in some cases, START!) my boys’ Shutterfly books for each year of their lives.  I want to pick up again on one of my favorite hobbies, scrapbooking.  I want to FINALLY get back to XXX and lose all of my baby weight.  I want to be a GREAT wife, mother and friend.

Here at KETV, I just want to tell good stories.  Stories that inspire.  Stories that matter.  Stories that make us think.

It’s been a great ride, 2014.  Happy New Year.