The Youngstown Press Club recognizes excellent work in journalism, media and communications through awards that honor those with distinguished careers in the media through it's Hall of Fame, those who are currently doing exemplary work in the media through the Excellence in Media Award, those who have defended the freedoms in the First Amendment through the First Amendment Award, and press club members who have made significant contributions to the club through the Medal of Merit.
Nominations for Youngstown Press Club Awards Due May 1, 2024
Youngstown Press Club members in good standing may nominate for the YPC Hall of Fame, the Excellence in Media Award, the First Amendment Award and the Medal of Merit.
Scroll down to see award criteria and links to nomination forms.
Nominations will be reviewed by a committee and inductees will be announced in Summer 2024. Awards will be presented at the Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet on Sept. 25, 2024.
Scroll down to see award criteria and links to nomination forms.
Nominations will be reviewed by a committee and inductees will be announced in Summer 2024. Awards will be presented at the Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet on Sept. 25, 2024.
Youngstown Press Club Hall of Fame 2023 Inductees
Four distinguished Mahoning Valley journalists were inducted into the Youngstown Press Club Hall of Fame on Sept. 7, 2023.
They are: Dennis B. Mangan, retired Vindicator editorial page editor; Emily Webster Love, former associate metro editor at The Tribune Chronicle; Gerry Ricciutti, senior reporter at WKBN and WYTV; and the late Ann N. Przelomski, who was managing editor of The Vindicator.
The inductions occurred at the press club's Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 Fifth Ave.
They are: Dennis B. Mangan, retired Vindicator editorial page editor; Emily Webster Love, former associate metro editor at The Tribune Chronicle; Gerry Ricciutti, senior reporter at WKBN and WYTV; and the late Ann N. Przelomski, who was managing editor of The Vindicator.
The inductions occurred at the press club's Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 Fifth Ave.
Hall of Fame
The Youngstown Press Club established this award to commemorate those members of our community who have had long and distinguished careers in media. This award will be given to people nearing the end or at the end of their careers.
Click here to see all Hall of Fame honorees
Criteria:
Click here for the 2024 Nomination Form.
Click here to see all Hall of Fame honorees
Criteria:
- Nomination must be made by a member in good standing of the Youngstown Press Club.
- Nominee does not have to be a member of the Youngstown Press Club.
- Members of the YPC Awards selection committee may not be nominated or nominate anyone.
- Nominee must have a minimum of 20 years professional media experience including journalism, public relations, advertising, writing, etc.
- Nominee must have made notable contributions in the Mahoning Valley media market.
- The Club may induct no more than two people posthumously a year.
Click here for the 2024 Nomination Form.
Excellence in Media Award
The Excellence in Media Award may be given in any category (journalism, PR, adverting, etc.).
The Excellence Award was established to honor those who are currently doing exemplary work in one of the mass communication fields.
Criteria:
Click here for the 2024 Nomination Form.
The Excellence Award was established to honor those who are currently doing exemplary work in one of the mass communication fields.
Criteria:
- Nomination must be made by a member in good standing of the Youngstown Press Club.
- Nominee does not have to be a member of the Youngstown Press Club.
- Award can go to an individual or an organization.
- Members of the YPC Awards selection committee may not be nominated or nominate anyone.
- Excellence in this award category should focus on one field of mass communication. Nominations can focus on excellence as it relates to a one-time project or excellence as shown by a body of work.
- Work must have been done in the Mahoning Valley media market.
- This award will only be given when candidates merit recognition.
Click here for the 2024 Nomination Form.
First Amendment Award
The First Amendment Award was established to honor those who have engaged in behavior in defense of the freedoms protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The award honors a person or organization who has taken a stand with the risk of personal or professional harm. It was created to honor those who have staunchly defended the freedoms protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The nominee must have a connection to the Mahoning Valley region. This award is given in instances where the actions of the awardee are exceptional.
In 2021 the Vindicator Printing Company received the First Amendment Award.
The Vindicator Printing Company, along with the Brown Family, provided a family-run newspaper to the Mahoning Valley for 150 years. The paper began in 1869 when it launched as The Mahoning Vindicator. It became the Youngstown Vindicator shortly after.
Its reporting on the mafia, political corruption, and big business matters garnered the paper a reputation of fearlessness. In 1984, the paper became The Vindicator. The paper provided a heritage of reporting to uncover corruption and to be the watchdog for a community, the importance of good story-telling, and the celebration of the past while emphasizing the importance for future First Amendment rights through journalistic freedom and longevity.
Criteria:
Click here for the 2024 Nomination Form.
In 2021 the Vindicator Printing Company received the First Amendment Award.
The Vindicator Printing Company, along with the Brown Family, provided a family-run newspaper to the Mahoning Valley for 150 years. The paper began in 1869 when it launched as The Mahoning Vindicator. It became the Youngstown Vindicator shortly after.
Its reporting on the mafia, political corruption, and big business matters garnered the paper a reputation of fearlessness. In 1984, the paper became The Vindicator. The paper provided a heritage of reporting to uncover corruption and to be the watchdog for a community, the importance of good story-telling, and the celebration of the past while emphasizing the importance for future First Amendment rights through journalistic freedom and longevity.
Criteria:
- Nomination may be made by anyone.
- Nominee does not have to be a member of the Youngstown Press Club.
- Award can go to an individual or an organization.
- Members of the YPC Awards selection committee may not be nominated or nominate anyone.
- This Award is given to honor a person or organization that has taken a stand with the risk of personal or professional harm. The nominator must make this case in the nomination materials.
- The winner must have a connection to the Mahoning Valley region.
- This award will only be given in instances where the actions of the awardee are exceptional.
Click here for the 2024 Nomination Form.
Medal of Merit
The Medal of Merit is an internal award for a member of the Youngstown Press Club.
In 2023 the Medal of Merit was awarded to Mary Beth Earnheardt, a former club executive director, for her work in re-establishing the press club in 2018 and guiding it in the years that followed.
Criteria:
In 2023 the Medal of Merit was awarded to Mary Beth Earnheardt, a former club executive director, for her work in re-establishing the press club in 2018 and guiding it in the years that followed.
Criteria:
- Nomination must be made by a standing committee chair or member of the Board of Governors.
- Nominee must be a member of the Youngstown Press Club.
- Members of the YPC Awards selection committee may not be nominated or nominate anyone.
- This Award is given to honor a person who has contributed to the Club.
All awards nominations are due by May 1 of the given year. A separate form is required for each nomination. Letters of support and documentation in support of the nomination should be attached, with the form, and emailed to the Youngstown Press Club at youngstownpressclub@gmail.com. Questions should be directed to youngstownpressclub@gmail.com.
Awards will be presented at the Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet on Sept. 25, 2024.
Awards will be presented at the Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet on Sept. 25, 2024.