Barbara Jordan Media Awards Winners Announced

The Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities has announced the winners of this year's Barbara Jordan Media Awards for pieces produced in 2011. Winners in each of the categories were chosen by a panel of judges, including journalists, professionals in the field of disabilities, and people with disabilities.

The winners will be honored at the Barbara Jordan Media Awards Ceremony reception and dinner on Saturday, April 28, at 6:00 p.m. at the LBJ Student Building at Texas State University in San Marcos. The event is hosted by the Texas State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the offices of Disabilities and Multicultural Affairs, and is open to the public by reservation. Zach Anner, star of the Oprah Winfrey Network series "Rollin' with Zach" is the keynote speaker, and Joe Bontke, chair of the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities is the emcee.

For more information on the awards ceremony, please contact Jo Virgil with the Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities at or (512) 463-5740. For ticket purchases and sponsorship information, please visit http://www.masscomm.txstate.edu/resources/barbara-jordan.html. 

This year's Barbara Jordan Media Awards winners are:

TV Feature, Extended
The Baty Bot
Matt Barrie, Noah Bullard, Peter Hull, KXAS-TV, Fort Worth

Print Feature
The Wonder of It All
Sheryl Smith-Rodgers, Texas Co-Op Power Magazine

TV Public Service Announcement
Accessible Parking PSA
Channel 6, City of Austin

Book Category
The Boy Who Saved My Life
Earle P. Martin, author

Internet
Former Tennis Star Dennis Ralston
Pam LeBlanc, Austin American Statesman

Student, High School
Anything But Bland
Kelly Stark, North Garland High School, Raider Echo

Photojournalism
Among the Wounded
Lara Solt, Dallas Morning News

Print News
Camp Gives People with Disabilities the Skills to Master Bicycling
Robert Cadwallader, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

TV Feature
Coaching from a Different Perspective
Shane McAuliffe, KBTX-TV, Bryan

Print Feature Series
Zach's Journey
Marc Ramirez, Dallas Morning News

TV Documentary
Health Needs a Hero
Jen Ohlson, Arnold Payne, Pathway Productions

Student, College
Resident Uses Disability to Motivate Others
Kolten Parker, Texas State University, The University Star

Entertainment
Rollin' with Zach
Zach Anner, Oprah Winfrey Network