Media

Daily Herald photographers, writers and designers recognized by the Illinois Press Association

Posted June 06, 2025 1:59 pm

Daily Herald report

Daily Herald senior photographer John Starks’ photo of West Aurora High School’s Pas Ndayishimiye won first place for sports portrait/personality at the Illinois Press Association Awards. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com

The Daily Herald won seven first-place honors at the recent Illinois Press Awards in East Peoria.

The awards recognized the newspaper’s writers, photographers and designers.

In addition, the Daily Herald won a number of second-, third- and fourth-place honors.

First place:

• Daily Herald, newspaper design

• Kelly Vold, single front page design

• Paul Valade, spot news

• John Starks, sports portrait/personality

• Brian Hill, feature photo

• Jim Slusher, column

• Jim Slusher, local editorial

Daily Herald senior photographer Brian Hill’s photo of first grade teacher Katie Kondak trying to comfort one of her new students on the first day of classes last year took first place for best feature photo at the Illinois Press Association Awards. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com

Second place:

• General excellence

• Steve Zalusky, localized national news story

• John Starks, portrait/personality photo

• John Starks, sports photo

• John Starks, sports portrait/personality photo

• Lisa Miner, local editorial

Daily Herald Director of Visual Journalism Paul Valade’s photo of a home leveled by an explosion in Lake Zurich won first place honors for spot news at the Illinois Press Association Awards. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com

Third place:

• Orrin Schwarz and staff, sports section

• Robert Sanchez, local editorial

• Brian Shamie, single front page design

• Eric Peterson, obituary tribute

• Joe Lewnard, sports portrait/personality photo

• Paul Valade, spot news photo

• Rick West, general news photo

• Brian Hill, sports photo

• Jim Slusher and the editorial board, editorial page

Fourth place:

• Charles Keeshan and Susan Sarkauskas, news reporting single story

• Paul Valade, spot news photo

• Brian Hill, portrait/personality photo

• John Starks, sports photo

• Russell Lissau and Chris Placek, school board coverage

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