Awards | Molly Corfman Photo and Video Journalism

Photojournalism Awards

Joni Holland, 16, of Fremont, from right, has attempted suicide nine times from the stress of feeling unloved at home and being bullied at school. She was 11-years-old at the time of her first attempt. She has tried choking herself, stabbing herself and pill overdose. "I've been attempting suicide a long time and its not getting any better," she said. Her sister Nicole, 14, almost died from a pill overdose the night after her older sister, Joni, attempted. Her family took her to the hospital after she became sleepy and disoriented to hallucinating and eventually non-responsive. “That hurt the most because I’ve always protected her when she was scared,” Joni said. Their mother, Darla, said she dumped out all pills in the house except prescriptions. "I would rather have you sneezing, snotting, breaking out and whatever than constantly try to watch all the meds," Darla said. "I'll go buy another bottle and dump it, too."

Judges comments: “This multimedia project on local residents’ experiences with suicide that culminated in a community event would be ambitious for newsrooms of any size. But in a smaller newsroom with a team of only two people working on it is an amazing show of fortitude. Carson and Corfman took The News-Messenger’s audience on a journey into the effects suicide has on families and the community. Corfman’s movie-length documentary was widely acclaimed by the community and has been suggested to be shown in schools, before law enforcement organizations and civic organizations. This is an example of how dedication and perseverance can create an impactful conversation in a community.”

1st place consumer engagement, 2017 USA Today Network Journalism Awards 1st quarter
Suicide: surviving crisis project

2018

2018 Society of Professional Journalists: Ohio’s Best Journalism Contest, best videographer and best of show, 1st place
2018 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best photographer, 2nd place
2018 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best video, 1st place, “Son torn from father during ICE raid”
2018 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best digital project, 1st place, “Ottawa County’s battle with addiction”
2018 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best video, 2nd place, “More tariffs mean bigger losses for farmers”
2018 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best photo story, 2nd place, “Riders Unlimited rallies around leader with brain tumor”
2018 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best photo story, 3rd place, “Ottawa County’s battle with addiction”
2018 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best sports photo, 3rd place, “Steer wrestling during the Broken Horn Rodeo”
2018 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best digital project, 3rd place, “Korean War vet recalls subzero temperatures, sniper fire”
2018 Ohio News Photographers Association year end, news video, award of excellence, “Son torn from father during ICE raid”
2018 USA TODAY Network Journalism Awards, 4th quarter, digital storytelling, 1st place, “Korean War veteran Edward Foose”
2018 National Press Photographers Association, Oct. Midwest, spot news, 2nd place “Car overturned into creek”
2018 Ohio News Photographers Association, Oct. spot news, 2nd place, “Rescue”
2018 USA TODAY Network Journalism Awards, 3rd quarter, digital storytelling, finalist, “Son torn from father during ICE raid”
2018 USA TODAY Network Journalism Awards, 3rd quarter, digital storytelling, finalist, “More tariffs mean bigger losses for farmers”
2018 Media Network of Central Ohio, Aug. MVP Award, 1st place, “Son torn from father during ICE raid”
2018 Media Network of Central Ohio, April MVP Award, finalist, “Webster says Terra dorm cost was ‘miscommunicated’”
2018 Media Network of Central Ohio, Jan. MVP Award, finalist, “Terra nursing program set to ‘unravel,’ ex-professor says”

Judges comments: “The video was very well produced and works very well as one longform piece rather than a series of shorter videos. It compliments the written story nicely, rather than simply rehashing material. The photo gallery also really helped tell the story in an engaging manner.”

1st place digital storytelling, 2018 USA Today Network Journalism Awards 4th quarter

Korean War veteran Edward Foose 15:00

An unidentified man is slid up an embankment on a backboard after he was injured Tuesday afternoon when his car rolled down and overturned into Sucker Run Creek near W. Maple Street just west of Race Street.

Garrett Schneider, left, and Noah Hotz scope the other team during a weather delay.

Cody Lensman of New Springfield competes in steer wrestling during the Broken Horn Rodeo at the Ottawa County Fair.

Oak Harbor's wrestling team reacts to Zach Laughlin wrestling Genoa's Christian Aranda in the match that put Oak Harbor ahead 29-26, the team's first lead of the night.

Judges comments “A combination of great composition, photographer positioning and timing made this image stand out from the pack as it simultaneously captured the action on the mat and the team’s reaction in a big moment.”
-2017 Associated Press Managing Editors awards, div. I, best sports photo, 1st place

2017

2017 Society of Professional Journalists: Ohio’s Best Journalism Contest, best videographer and best of show, 1st place
2017 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best graphics artist, 3rd place
2017 Best of USA Today Network Awards, Div III, digital storytelling, 1st place, “Heroin’s Unrelenting Grip”
2017 Best of USA Today Network Awards, Div III, digital storytelling, 2nd place, “Suicide: the silent crisis”
2017 Best of USA Today Network Awards, Div III, consumer engagement, 2nd place “Suicide: the silent crisis”
2017 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best sports photo, 1st place, “First lead of the night”
2017 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best public service, 1st place, “Suicide: the silent crisis”
2017 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best video, 1st place, “Suicide: surviving crisis”
2017 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best video, 2nd place, “Heroin’s unrelenting grip”
2017 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best illustration or informational graphic, 3rd place, “Heroin overdose death numbers”
2017 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best special sports section, 3rd place, “Fall football preview 2017”
2017 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, general excellence, 3rd place, The News-Messenger
2017 USA TODAY Network Journalism Awards, 4th quarter, consumer engagement, 1st place, “WWII: In their own words”
2017 USA TODAY Network Journalism Awards, 4th quarter, digital storytelling, 1st place, “WWII: In their own words”
2017 USA TODAY Network Journalism Awards, 4th quarter, digital storytelling, finalist, “Quarry neighbors irate about dumping, water quality”
2017 USA TODAY Network Journalism Awards, 4th quarter, digital storytelling, finalist, “Terra urged to boost commitment to skilled trades”
2017 Media Network of Central Ohio, Dec. MVP award, finalist “Terra urged to boost commitment to skilled trades”
2017 Ohio News Photographers Association, Nov., photo story/essay, 3rd place, “Tornado and fire three weeks apart devastate family”
2017 Media Network of Central Ohio, Oct. MVP award, 2nd place, “Quarry neighbors irate about dumping, water quality”
2017 Media Network of Central Ohio, Sept. MVP award, finalist, “Efforts ramp up to save or sell Davis-Besse”
2017 Media Network of Central Ohio, Aug. MVP award, finalist, “It’s no party for Put-in-Bay police”
2017 Ohio News Photographers Association, May clip contest, feature, 1st place, “Fighting cancer”
2017 Ohio News Photographers Association, May clip contest, photo story, 1st place, “Heroin’s unrelenting grip”
2017 Ohio News Photographers Association, April clip contest, sports feature, honorable mention, “Rain delay”
2017 USA Today Network Journalism Awards 2nd quarter, Div. III, digital storytelling, 1st place, “Heroin’s unrelenting grip”
2017 USA Today Network Journalism Awards 2nd quarter, Div. III, video, finalist, “Heroin’s unrelenting grip”
2017 USA Today Network Journalism Awards 2nd quarter, Div. III, consumer engagement and experiences, finalist “Heroin’s unrelenting grip”
2017 Media Network of Central Ohio, May MVP Award, 2nd place, “Heroin’s unrelenting grip”
2017 USA Today Network Journalism Awards 1st quarter, Div. III, consumer engagement, 1st place, “Suicide: surviving crisis”
2017 USA Today Network Journalism Awards 1st quarter, Div. III, digital storytelling, 1st place, “Suicide: surviving crisis”
2017 USA Today Network Journalism Awards 1st quarter, Div. III, digital storytelling, finalist “Service dog helps paramedic deal with PTSD, anxiety”
2017 USA Today Network Journalism Awards 1st quarter, Div. III, video, finalist, “Suicide: surviving crisis”
2017 Media Network of Central Ohio, Feb. MVP Award, 1st place, “Suicide: surviving crisis”
2017 Ohio News Photographers Association, Feb. clip contest, photo story, 3rd place, “Suicide: surviving crisis”
2017 Ohio News Photographers Association, Feb. clip contest, portrait, honorable mention, “Suicide: surviving crisis”
2017 Ohio News Photographers Association, Feb. clip contest, 3rd place “Burning snowman”
2017 Media Network of Central Ohio, May video MVP award “Sheriff explores new lead in Bogle homicide,” “Fighting ovarian cancer, donating hair ” and “Kayla Davis’ story: ‘shooting demons'”

Jonathan Martin, 28, of Fremont tried to kill himself by pill overdose when he was a teenager. He said he has had times of severe depression throughout his life. People who attempted suicide often are too ashamed to tell their loved ones and friends, he said. “Yeah, we all might go to church together. Yeah, we can laugh. But are you that confidant that I can put my trust in and tell you that I wanted to cut my wrists last night?" he said.

Patti Tucker holds up locks of her hair cut by her friend Sandy Lagrou, manager of Friends Salon & Spa. Tucker will donate the hair to be used to make a child's wig.

Sparks fly from 'Harold,' a 30-foot-tall snowman made of cotton, chicken wire, an rebar and coated with shortening, after he is set ablaze to mark the end of winter during the third annual Burning Snowman Festival in Port Clinton.

Richie Webber, 24, of Clyde was a high school track star and good student, until he broke his arm playing football and was prescribed painkillers. He became addicted to his prescription, and then heroin. He had opportunities for college scholarships, but lost them because he failed a school drug test and was kicked off the team.

Judges comments: “Molly had a very nice portrait of a subject that is breaking the hearts of families, friends and community members around the nation. It was a simple portrait of a person who lost a loved one from their battle with heroin addiction. The Buffalo News staff has had several assignments in the last several months trying to tell this story with our cameras and it has proved almost impossible. We looked at Molly’s picture for a long time. We liked it.”

1st place portrait, Ohio News Photographers Association, March 2016

2016

2016 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, 1st place, Best photographer
2016 Ohio News Photographers Association year end, news video, 1st place, “Tae’s story: four-year-old fights brain cancer”
2016 Best of USA Today Network Awards, Div III, video, 2nd place, “Tae’s story: four-year-old fights brain cancer”
2016 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best feature photo, 1st place “Tae’s story: four-Year-Old fights brain cancer”
2016 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best photo story, 1st place, “Tae’s Story: four-year-old fights brain cancer”
2016 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best video, 1st place, “A difficult journey: Tae, 5, fights brain cancer”
2016 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best photo story, 2nd place, “Heroin: face of addiction”
2016 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best photo story, 3rd place, “A difficult journey: Tae, 5, fights brain cancer”
2016 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best video, 3rd place, “Richie’s story: from heroin to hope”
2016 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, best special sports section, 3rd place, “Fall football preview 2016”
2016 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, general excellence, 2nd place, The News-Messenger
2016 Ohio News Photographers Association, Dec. clip contest, sport action, 2nd place, “Only touchdown”
2016 Ohio News Photographers Association, Dec. clip contest, sports feature, 3rd place, “Crying after a loss”
2016 Ohio News Photographers Association, Oct. clip contest, general news, 1st place, “Shaken baby”
2016 Ohio News Photographers Association, Oct. clip contest, sports feature, 2nd place, “Soccer wall”
2016 USA Today Network journalism awards 4th quarter, Div. III, digital storytelling, finalist, “WWII: In their own words”
2016 Media Network of Central Ohio, Dec. MVP award, finalist “Overmyer sentenced to four years in prison”
2016 Media Network of Central Ohio, Nov. MVP award, 1st place “Sheriff convicted on felony drug and theft charges”
2016 USA Today Network journalism awards 3rd quarter, Div. III, digital storytelling, 1st place, “Tae’s story”
2016 USA Today Network journalism awards 3rd quarter, Div. III, photo, finalist, “Tae’s story”
2016 USA Today Network journalism awards 3rd quarter, Div. III, video, finalist,”Tae’s story”
2016 USA Today Network journalism awards 2nd quarter, Div. III, video, finalist, “Special prom”
2016 Media Network of Central Ohio, March MVP award, 1st place, “Heroin: face of addiction”
2016 Ohio News Photographers Association, June clip contest, feature, 3rd place, “Color run”
2016 Ohio News Photographers Association, March clip contest, portrait, 1st place, “Heroin loss”
2016 Ohio News Photographers Association, Feb. clip contest, photo story, 3rd place, “Tae’s story”
2016 Ohio News Photographers Association, Jan. clip contest, spot news, 3rd place, “High speed chase”
2016 USA Today Network journalism awards 1st quarter, Div. III, video, 1st place, “Tae’s story”
2016 USA Today Network journalism awards 1st quarter, Div. III, photo, finalist, “Tae’s story”

Ismael Gonzalez, 38, of Findlay is arrested on a felony warrant after leading police on a high speed chase across three counties, ending with parts flying off the car and a crash into a ditch at the corner of County Roads 153 and 106 in Lindsey on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2106.

Ashlyn Wightman, 7, of Gibsonburg runs in the Golden Bear Color Run on Friday evening, competing in her first run.

Alex Smith, left, and Brandy Lagasse say a final goodbye to their five-year-old son, Tae, after his funeral service before the casket is closed. He was four when he was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma, a form of aggressive brain cancer with a low survival rate, generally considered incurable.

Richie Webber, 24, of Clyde reflects on the heroin overdose death of his best friend Charles Buchanan at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.

Judges comments: “The News-Messenger found a heartbreakingly necessary story to tell, and they did not pull any punches. From watching Tae get upset at his chemotherapy sessions to having boundless fun at his birthday party to the photos from his funeral, this package made use of each digital tool to get the reader as close as possible to the story, to great emotional effect.”

1st place digital storytelling, 2016 USA Today Network Journalism Awards, 3rd quarter
Tae’s story: four-year-old fights brain cancer 6:30

Judges comments: “You can feel the mother’s desire to provide her son with happiness through the interviews and wonderful camera work of a dancing Freddie Bice. The interviews keep the viewer engaged to the end. Through the interviews Corfman asks viewers to reflect on the families of special needs individuals and how joy is found in the little things in life.”

Finalist video, 2016 USA Today Network Journalism Awards 2nd quarter, Div. III
Freddie’s party: special dance 4:21

2015

2015 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, 2nd place, best photographer
2015 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, 1st place, best news photo, “Fire engulfs house”
2015 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, 1st place, best video, “Charles Holcomb, WWII POW”
2015 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, 2nd place, best video, “Soybean harvest”
2015 Associated Press Managing Editors Awards, Div. I, 3rd place, best video, “Civil War reenactment”
2015 National Press Photographers Association, Dec. Region 4, 2nd place, feature single, “Christmas tree lighting”
2015 National Press Photographers Association, Nov. Region 4, 1st place, spot news, “House fire”
2015 National Press Photographers Association, Oct. Region 4, 3rd place, feature/multiple, “Soybean harvest”
2015 Ohio News Photographers Association, Dec. clip contest,1st place, feature, “Tree Lighting”
2015 Ohio News Photographers Association, Nov. clip contest, 2nd place, spot news, “Firefighters”
2015 Ohio News Photographers Association, Aug. clip contest, 3rd place, feature, “The roper”
2015 Ohio News Photographers Association, June clip contest, 3rd place, spot news, “Arrested”
2015 Media Network of Central Ohio, Nov. Picasso MVP award, “WWII: In their own words”

Sgt. Kent Davis, of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, arrests William Mitchell after a single-vehicle crash. Mitchell reportedly turned onto County Road 17 from Ohio 53, drove off the road and rolled his car several times in a field.

The Rhinestone Roper, Daniel Mink, of Jerome, Idaho, performs with his horse Jessie James at the Sandusky County Fair.

The tree is lit through heavy fog in Gibsonburg during the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony,

Firefighters from nine area fire departments battle a house fire near the village of Rocky Ridge, about five miles northwest of Oak Harbor in Ottawa County on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015. Strong winds gusting up to 50 mph made it tougher for firefighters trying to contain the blaze, which engulfed the single-family house at 15645 W. True Road. No one was injured.

News about Molly Corfman’s awards

Judges comments: “The reporter and photojournalist were wise enough to know when to back off and let the stories flow naturally from the vets’ mouths themselves in this three-part series. It was emotional, poignant and made these stories from a dying generation accessible to everyone. Compelling, powerful work.”

Finalist digital storytelling, 2016 USA Today Network journalism Awards, 4th quarter, Div. III

Judges comments: “First place turns out to be a series of images from a nighttime fire – we really like a couple of the images (#2, an overall of the scene and #9, a “frappe” slow motion interpretation of sparks flying) and are glad that the photographer is working the scene so thoroughly.”

1st place spot news, National Press Photographers Association, Region 4, Nov. 2015