Outdoor writer Steve Sorensen took home the top "Excellence in Craft" award from the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association May 20, held in Grantville, PA, for an article called "Nun Sense" about the controversy over the St. Marys, PA deer hunting nun.
Sorensen won a total of three first place awards. His article titled "Nun Sense" was the top winner in the "White-Tailed Deer Award" category. He also won the first place "Outdoor Blog Entry Award." In all, 28 First Place "Excellence in Craft" winners were considered for the "Best of the Best," recognized and awarded by the National Rifle Association. Sorensen's article "Nun Sense" rose to the top in the crowded field.
"Nun Sense" presents Sister John Paul's story from the point-of-view of the theology of hunting, and the article appeared in the November 2016 issue of North American Whitetail magazine.
Sorensen is a contributor to several national and regional magazines, and contributes to blogs for Legendary Whitetails and Havalon Knives. His newspaper column, The Everyday Hunter®, appears regularly in the Jamestown Gazette, the Olean Times Herald, and the Forest Press. He also speaks frequently at sportsman’s shows and church-sponsored sportsman’s banquets throughout the United States.
Previously Sorensen won "Best Newspaper Column" three times from POWA, and in March 2015 he won the national "Pinnacle Award" from the Professional Outdoor Media Association.
Sorensen lives in Russell, PA with his wife Barbara, and miniature groundhog dog Remy. For more information about Steve, his writing and his speaking, go to www.EverydayHunter.com. For information about POWA, go to www.PAOutdoorWriters.com.
Photo above: Brad Isles, Awards Program Chair and 1st Vice President of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, presents the "Best of the Best Award" to Steve Sorensen (at right). It’s one of three awards Sorensen won this year from POWA.
READ THE STORY: "Nun Sense," is online at the North American Whitetail website: "Nun Sense: Roman Catholic Nun Takes Pennsylvania Buck"
THAT'S THE FORMAL STUFF, BUT NOW, FOR A MORE PERSONAL WORD: Even though there is an "I" in "winner," no winner ever does it on his or her own. Excellence takes lots of support, and I owe so many so much for their help in the field of outdoor writing. In particular for the article "Nun Sense, Gordon Whittington (editor of North American Whitetail magazine), Sr. John Paul (who was so gracious in letting me do this story after suffering world-wide criticism). Both are risk-takers, in the best sense.
In addition, Dan Schmidt (editor of Deer & Deer Hunting magazine, who publishes my work as well). Let Dan stand for all the other editors for publications such as Outdoor Life, Sports Afield, PA Game News, Game & Fish magazine, Turkey Country magazine, Ohio Valley Outdoors, plus many more, and all the newspaper editors who see fit to carry "The Everyday Hunter®."
Then there are the individuals, including Charles Alsheimer, Richard Bernier, Ron Spomer, Tim Flanigan, Charles Burchfield, Tyler Frantz, Harry Guyer, and so many who are not at the top of my mind right now but who have taken a personal interest in my efforts and who have been immeasurably helpful. Also, those who have brought me in to sportsman's events to speak. And I realize that not everyone is in "the industry." (Sorry -- I know I have missed some very important people. These personal relationships have made me so much richer.)
Add to these the writer organizations I'm a part of—the Professional Outdoor Media Association and the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association. I meet so many great people through these organizations, and they are full of opportunities. Any writer who is plugging away in isolation is really missing out. You need to join. Contact me if you're ready to become a member. (Sorry this is so long—this is only the beginning to the list of people I appreciate, but I need to stop somewhere.)