Fifty-three contestants took home nearly 140 certificates honoring their work from the previous year. There are 64 separate media categories in which participants can enter.
A highlight of the contest is the Awards of Excellence, given to writers and organizations who make major contributions to their communities through their work. The Award of Excellence is based on a weighted scale: the more entries in a media category, the more points the winners earn. For example, a first place in a category with three entries earns four points. That same first place in a category with ten entries earns five points. Writers entering multiple categories stand the better chance of winning an Award of Excellence.
This year, The Awards of Excellence went to:
Nicolás Cabrera — First Place
Margaret Cheasebro — Second Place
Colleen Keane — Third Place
Peter St. Cyr — Honorable Mention
The top organizations were:
Majestic Living, Farmington — First Place
Frontera NorteSur, NMSU, Las Cruces — Second Place
Navajo Times, Window Rock, AZ — Third Place
Rio Grande Books, Albuquerque — Honorable Mention
Santa Fe Reporter, Santa Fe — Honorable Mention
Download the winners list: NMPW 2016 Contest Winners with city (PDF)