2002 Barbara Jordan Media Award Winners

• TV Documentary
  "How's Your News?", Arthur Bradford, (New York, NY)
• TV News Feature
  Mike Snyder, NBC-5 (Dallas), "Laurel Marshall"
• TV Advertising
  Cathy Bonner, Bonner Incorporated (Austin), "Financial Expert"
• Photojournalism
  Rodolfo Gonzalez, Austin American-Statesman (Austin), "Chasing Hope"
• Print Editorial
  Teresa Petersen, The Brazosport Facts (Brazoria), "No child should be left behind"
• Print Article
  Jennifer Arend, Dallas Morning News (Arlington), "Making his own music"
• Print Advertising
  Warm Springs Rehabilitation System and Roger Christian and Company, Inc., (San Antonio), "Back in the Saddle Again"
• Special Contributions by an Individual
  Dan Gadbury, (Fort Worth), "Fort Worth Job Fair 2002 Promo"
• Special Contributions by a Student
  Victoria Williams and Jason Kindig, (Duncanville High School), "Overcoming Long Odds"
  Niki Major, (La Porte High School), "Gemini becomes Washburn's lifeline"
• Special Contributions by an Organization
  Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, (Austin), "Promotion of the Capabilities of People with Disabilities through Team Everest '03"
• Media Professional with a Disability
  Regina Blye, Amarillo

Details About 2002's Winners

TV Documentary-"How's Your News?" (82 min.)

Award Winner: Arthur Bradford, 917-224-9434, Arthur@cstone.net

"How's Your News?" documents five news reporters with mental and physical disabilities who meet at a camp in Massachusetts and travel across the United States, stopping along the way to interview everyday people. From New Hampshire to California, this team is shown meeting and interacting with many people, seeing the country including several stops in Texas, and singing inventive songs.

The judges feel this documentary is innovative and encouraging. It shows good perspective and interaction as communication skills increased throughout the film for the news reporters as well as the people interviewed.

TV News Feature-"Laurel Marshall" (4-5 min.)

Award Winner: Mike Snyder, 817-654-6306, mike.snyder@NBC.com
Nominator: Kat Donnell, 972-398-3726, katdonnell@hotmail.com

This TV news feature, seen in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, features Laurel Marshall, a fashion model and fourth grade teacher with a disability. The producer, Mike Snyder, captured her determination and inventive spirit in the classroom. The feature shows Laurel using a lift-equipped van, an assistance animal, and other creative accommodations. During this same year, Snyder produced a series of features on other successful Texans with disabilities including a boxer, a Mary Kay consultant and an MCI communications professional.

The judges like how the feature shows Laurel Marshall and her many abilities and accomplishments. This well produced news feature is realistic and at the same time offers positive solutions.

TV Advertising-"Financial Expert" (30 sec.)

Award Winner: Cathy Bonner, Bonner Inc., 512-474-5640, CLbonner@aol.com

This 30-second TV advertisement appeals to parents preparing to send children to college and has been seen throughout Texas. The commercial features the Texas Tomorrow Fund, a program of the Texas Comptroller's Office, and although it includes a mother using sign language, it appeals to all Texans.

The judges saw this advertisement as informative, humorous and attention getting. It was rated highly because it is inclusive and has high production quality.

Photojournalism-"Chasing Hope"

Award Winner: Rodolfo Gonzalez, Austin American-Statesman, 512-445-3685, rgonzalez@statesman.com
Nominator: Zack Ryall, 512-445-3685, zryall@statesman.com

Jacqueline Saburido became a person with a disability as a result of a drinking and driving accident that burned over 60 % of her body. Featured in the Austin American-Statesman, the photographs of Rodolfo Gonzalez capture the spirit and determination of a young woman recovering and seeking independence, with the support of her family, especially her father Amadeo, and friends.

Judges feel that the more than 30 plus photographs advance people with disabilities because the images tell a complete story about a young lady seeking an independent way of life. The sheer number of photographs helps de-sensitize our fear of people with severe burns.

Print Editorial-"No child should be left behind"

Award Winner: Teresa Petersen, Guest Columnist for The Brazosport Facts, 979-798-7834, petersent@academicplanet.com

The story of Zachary, a boy with autism, educates and alerts people who care for children with autism. It is told from the viewpoint of his mother, Teresa Petersen, guest columnist for the The Brazosport Facts. Learning about autism, behavior, sensory sensitivity, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was overwhelming for Teresa at the time but paid off now that Zachary is fully included in a general education classroom.

The judges feel this article is well written with progressive and accurate language. It is a personal story that advocates positive changes.

Print Article-"Making his own music"

Award Winner: Jennifer Arend, Dallas Morning News, 817-695-0370, jarend@dallasnews.com

"Making his own music" features the L.D. Blue Bell Raider marching band competing in an area contest. Inside the story, Jennifer Arend captures the abilities and determination of band members, especially Justin Rarick, a percussionist, who is singled out for his persistence and reliability. Justin uses his left foot to play a keyboard and has a solo in the band's competition routine.

The judges feel this article uses positive language and focuses on the progress of the band. Describing it as a good demonstration of ability, the judges like the article's focus on the bigger picture of the band's success.

Print Advertising-"Back in the Saddle Again"

Award Winner: Warm Springs Rehabilitation System and Roger Christian & Company, Inc., San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo Program, 210-832-2326, John Bloodsworth, jbloodsworth@warmsprings.org
Nominator: Melissa Welch, 210-829-1953, mwelch@rc-co.com

Featured in the 2002 San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo program, this advertisement shows the silhouettes of two people riding horses on a ranch, the sun behind them and low to the horizon. The text explains that after experiencing a stroke, one of the riders, Bently Baylor is able to speak, walk, and ride again following several months of rehabilitation at Warm Springs.

The judges see this entry as realistic, informative, and appealing. Through a good color scheme, professional quality, and a tasteful composition, the advertisement appropriately appeals to its intended audience.

Special Contributions by an Individual-"Fort Worth Job Fair 2002 Promo"

Award Winner: Dan Gadbury, 817-871-8513, dangadbury@yahoo.com
Nominator: Scott Haynes, 817-332-7171, shaynes@ucptc.org, Karen Forbis, 817-332-7171 x611, kforbis@ucptc.org

Dan Gadbury's promotional video highlights the abilities and capable job performance of two persons with disabilities. He shows that Floyd, who works for Home Depot, and Darren, employed by QFC Manufacturing, are known by co-workers and supervisors for being determined and hard working. Gadbury captures the pride that Floyd and Darren take in working and contributing to the company.

The judges appreciate that this video promotes the employment of people with disabilities by emphasizing abilities rather than disabilities. The approach taken is great and the stories are well told.

Special Contributions by a Student

"Overcoming Long Odds"

Award Winner: Victoria Williams, princesswheazy04@yahoo.com , 972-283-8017 and Jason Kindig, shindig03@hotmail.com , Duncanville High School, 972-780-0503
Nominator: Mary Pulliam, 972-708-3921, mpulliam@duncanvilleisd.org

Michael Green is a forward thinking and persistent high school sophomore in this article by Victoria Williams. After a house fire left him with a heart condition and no hands, Michael surprised doctors when he began walking and breathing on his own. With photographs by Jason Kindig, this article showcases Michael's strength and ability, including his test taking, weight lifting, and hanging out with family and friends.

The judges like how this article focuses on what Michael Green is achieving and doing in school. With progressive language and active photographs the story offers a positive depiction of a person with disabilities.

"Gemini becomes Washburn's lifeline"

Award Winner: Niki Major, La Porte High School, 281-470-2183, nishkee@ev1.net
Nominator: Susan Roberts, 281-604-7617, robertss@laporte.isd.esc4.net

Niki Major reports on a fellow student, Steven Washburn, who uses his high technology-Gemini computer with a "head mouse" to do school work and communicate. This innovative new machine allows Steven to directly communicate with people and save time with his school activities.

The judges like this article because it is upbeat, well organized, and uses good language. Furthermore, it appeared in the Bayshore Sun and Paw Prints, La Porte High School's newspaper.

Special Contributions by an Organization-"The Promotion of the Capabilities of People with Disabilities through Team Everest '03"

Award Winner: Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, 512-478-3366, cotwd@cotwd.org
Nominator: Dennis Borel, dborel@cotwd.org

A collage of news features and articles announce and provide coverage of Team Everest '03, a mountain climbing team that includes a group of determined individuals with various disabilities. With major support from the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, Team Everest '03 will climb to the base camp of Mount Everest, and then part of the team will attempt an ascent to the summit, which is over 29,000 feet high.

Judges like the depth of the coverage and the positive efforts to focus on ability. Team Everest '03 was well publicized and the coverage educates the public about what people with disabilities can do.

Media Professional with a Disability-Regina Blye

Award Winner: Regina Blye, Amarillo, 806-433-8708, 806-379-7771
Nominator: Michelle Crain, Life Center for Independent Living, 806-795-5433, chelle7556@aol.com

Regina Blye has advanced the rights and abilities of people with disabilities while working as news producer for KVII Pronews 7 in Amarillo. She has produced many news segments that educate the public about people with disabilities in the areas of access, housing, and transportation. Regina also volunteers as a board member for the Life/Run Center for Independent Living and recently won the title of Ms. Wheelchair Texas 2003.

Judges appreciate this entry because the documentation shows Blye's community involvement and professional accomplishments as well as her being a role model for Texans with disabilities who are seeking employment in the media. She is determined to perform ordinary tasks and accomplish her goals. Regina is a strong and positive on-the-air television personality.