Honoring Pennsylvania’s exemplary news media professionals for their outstanding service, steadfast support, and enduring success in strengthening their communities.
In 2025, the PNA Foundation introduced two statewide honors that spotlight the people who strengthen readership and support the health of local journalism: the Audience Development Person of the Year and the Newspaper Hero of the Year. Both awards reflect a growing recognition that audience growth, engagement, and community trust are now central to the sustainability of news organizations.
These contests are open to Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association member news organizations. There are no limits on the number of submissions from any news organization.
Nominations (as outlined below) must be received by March 31, 2026.
Congratulations to our two 2025 Newspaper Hero of the Year Award winners: Morgan Phillips, photographer, Butler Eagle, and Margaret Weaver, Sample News Group! View our Press Release.
Any news organization employee or newspaper carrier (including contractors) is eligible to be nominated. This award is to recognize a newspaper person who went above and beyond the call of duty. Did the nominee help in a special situation? Did they make a life-saving phone call or help the police in solving a crime? Maybe the nominee reported an early morning house fire, saving the occupants. These are the kinds of heroic acts we are seeking.
Work to be considered should have been done during the 12-month period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
Nominations must be made in writing and include a concise statement explaining why the nominee should be considered. Please describe in 200 words or less why you feel the nominee should be considered for this award. Send along any supporting documents that may benefit this entry.
Nominations will be accepted through March 31, 2026 and should be emailed to Teresa Shaak or mailed to: PNA Foundation, Attn: Teresa Shaak, 4000 Crums Mill Rd., Ste. 101, Harrisburg, PA 17112.
One winner will be selected for this award. However, judges reserve the right to not select a winner or give no award at all based on the number of entries received.
Winner will be honored at the Awards Luncheon during PNA’s Advertising Conference on Sept. 17 in State College.
Questions? Email the PNA Foundation.
