(CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)
Bob Wellinski, contributing photographer to WNLP, won two 1st-place awards, a Photo of the Year nomination and a 3rd-place award at the annual Hoosier State Press Association awards ceremony Dec. 6, 2014, in Indianapolis. Bob was recognized for photos he took while still employed with the LaPorte Herald-Argus in 2013.
Bob earned the Photo of the Year nomination (the six nominated photos are from Indiana newspapers of all sizes), as well as 1st place for Best General News Photo, Div. 4 (based on circulation), for his photo of two LPHS students mourning the death of LaPorte Slicer Jake West in September 2013. The caption read: “LaPorte High School students grieve as they stand near a memorial in front of the school for fellow student and football player Jake West.” Judges’ comments on the photo: “Captured a highly emotional moment.” “The raw emotion on display by the boy on the left, the comforting he’s receiving from his friend, and the memorials on the pole tell the story in a single shot.”
Bob’s other 1st-place award came for Best Feature Photo in the Division 4 category. Entitled “Stuck,” the caption read: “A young boy calls for help as he realizes he is stuck in the bucket he was sitting on while picking blueberries at Blueberries of Indiana near LaPorte.” Judge’s comment: “This boy’s predicament made me laugh. Features are a chance to show the lighter and brighter happenings in a community.”
Bob won a Division 4 3rd-place award in the Best Sports Feature Photo category for “Drenched.” The caption: “LaPorte football coach Bob Schellinger braces himself for a Gatorade bath from Drew Kessler and Noah Boardman as Mike Ash assists by holding Schellinger, preventing him from escaping, following a victory over Michigan City Oct. 11, 2013.” Judge’s comment: “This photos makes it feel like the viewer is right there.”
With these additions it’s estimated that Bob’s awards collection, if lined up, could reach from LaPorte to New Carlisle. (Maybe.)
