The PMA conference and awards ceremony were held in Chicago, Nov. 6–7, bringing together editors, publishers and writers from around the U.S. to exchange ideas and celebrate excellence in parenting and family media. Conference sessions covered everything from mentoring freelancers and interns to creative ways to engage families and the responsible use of AI in media.
Entries were judged by faculty of the prestigiousMissouri School of Journalism, one of the oldest and top journalism schools in the world. Judges praised L.A. Parent for its warm, inclusive voice, engaging storytelling and service to the Southern California parenting community. Below are the awards, followed by the judges’ comments.
Gold Awards
Overall Writing
“Spirited, engaging writing is paired with inspired ideas here to tell wonderful stories (‘Our Firefighters, Our Neighbors’ by Michele Raphael, ‘Balancing Motherhood and the WNBA,’ by Editor in Chief Cassandra Lane), as well as make thoughtful statements (‘Grappling With Parental Guilt’ by Melissa M. Monroe, ‘The Benefits of Selfish Parenting’ by Columbus Batiste, M.D.). Story beginnings are direct, dynamic language drives the pace and carefully selected details advance the narrative. Altogether, the masterful writing style succeeds in helping readers find effective ways to elevate their family relationships.”
“This was a great idea for a story that was well-written and reported. The story addresses the tensions that come within families dealing with household chores and provides useful suggestions on a topic many families likely struggle with and rarely discuss outside the home.”
Story by Digital Editor Nina Harada. “Taking a California family on a holiday trip to New England is a study in contrasts, and the writer takes full advantage of that. She returns to a beloved place from childhood and becomes an expert guide to her favorite places in Rhode Island. For the reader, it serves as a wonderful collection of the best choices to consider when planning a trip to an unfamiliar but worthwhile destination.”
Story by Michele Raphael. “A terrific tale of several firefighters who lost their homes, personal belongings and, in one case, a collection of uninsured antique cars during the Palisades fire. Each tale is presented as a vignette, with terrific interviews with the firefighters and their families, as well as family snapshots and photos of their homes before and after the disaster. Many of the quotes are gems, including one from a firefighter who described the scene this way: ‘Ash was going sideways like the devil was spitting fire.’”
“Simplicity shines for this camp directory, making it an easy and intuitive resource for parents looking for how to keep their families engaged during a break from school. The ability to filter a search by category and location is valuable for users who want to fine-tune their efforts based on their kids’ interests and abilities, as well as the family’s own schedule and resources.”
“Outstanding reporting about issues that affect a significant population in the community successfully clarify and amplify the needs and challenges many families are facing. The section on specialized schools and programs for diverse learning needs appears to be an excellent resource, one that families are likely to keep on hand.”
Curated by Digital Editor Nina Harada. “These events pages put an emphasis on the writing, with items broken into themed sections and written like mini stories. It was easy to find events by type — like Mother’s Day, festivals, or spooky season. The separate ‘tweens and teens’ category is a wonderful addition.”
Story by Melissa M. Monroe. “An emotionally intelligent exploration of a universal parental experience, skillfully shaped into an essay. This piece leans into internal dialogue and reflection, which allows it to emotionally connect with readers navigating similar terrain. It blends personal narrative and expert voice without being too clinical while delivering comfort and useful insight.”
Calendar of Events – Design
Design by Art Director Edwin Albanian. “The consistent attention to photo and art selection, its generous display and quality color elevate these calendars. Text and type selection is easy to read, and line leading and white space aid readability. Use of color is subdued and effective, and boldface pops key information.”
Continuing a Tradition of Excellence
L.A. Parent is honored to be recognized alongside other outstanding publications across the country. These awards reaffirm our commitment to providing inspiring, inclusive and trustworthy journalism for families in Los Angeles and beyond.
A heartfelt thank-you to our talented editors, writers, designers, photographers and readers — the families whose stories continue to inspire everything we do.
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