Rural electric magazines recognized at 2026 CCA Institute in Chattanooga
Members of the Statewide Editors Association (SEA) earned more than 40% of the awards handed out at this year’s Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA) Communications Contest, which honors the best communications work of the past year.
The 2026 CCA Institute brought together communicators from across the U.S. to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for professional development and to celebrate excellence in writing, photography, video, and other communications content. SEA members claimed 42 of the more than 100 awards presented in the 2026 CCA Communications Contest.
Rural electric statewide magazines Texas Co-op Power, Kentucky Living, Rural Missouri, Oklahoma Living, The Tennessee Magazine, and Alabama Living received recognition in short-form writing, long-form writing, personality profiles, entertaining features, portrait photography, scenic photography, cover photography, and documentaries.
SEA statewide magazines swept the best member publication honors in the higher budget category. Alabama Living earned third place, The Tennessee Magazine took second, and Texas Co-op Power claimed first.
“What a tremendous achievement. SEA magazines connect co-ops and communities with uplifting journalism that resonates close to home.”
— Leon Espinoza, SEA President
SEA members’ participation in CCA extends beyond the contest. Oklahoma Living Editor Hayley Leatherwood recently completed three years of service on the CCA board of directors, and Colorado Country Life Editor Kylee Coleman was recently elected to the CCA board.
Leatherwood, who received several writing awards for her editor columns and storytelling, reflected on the personal dimension of the work. “I hope Oklahoma Living feels like a conversation with a trusted friend—warm, authentic, curious and grounded in the things that connect us.” She added: “Every story begins with a member willing to trust me with a piece of their life, and I never take that relationship for granted.”
2026 CCA Communications Contest Winners from SEA publications
Writing – Featurette, fewer than 750 words
Third Place: “Farming like it’s 1941” by Hayley Leatherwood, Oklahoma Living
Writing – Featurette, fewer than 750 words
Second Place: “Brewing better together” by Hayley Leatherwood, Oklahoma Living
Writing – Featurette, fewer than 750 words
First Place: “A Cautioning Voice” by Sheryl Smith-Rodgers, Texas Co-op Power
Writing – Entertaining Feature, 751 – 1,499 words
Second Place: “The Left-Handed Mandolin Man” by Amber Weaver, The Tennessee Magazine
Writing – Entertaining Feature, 751 – 1,499 words
First Place: “Stompin’, Pickin’ & Kickin’” by Sara Schafer, Rural Missouri
Writing – Long-Form Feature, over 1,500 words
Third Place: “Inside the wire” by Joel Sams, Kentucky Living
Writing – Long-Form Feature, over 1,500 words
Second Place: “Getting a Jump Start on College” by Lenore Vickrey, Alabama Living
Writing – News Story
Third Place: “Tornado damage meets co-op determination” by Joe Arnold, Kentucky Living
Writing – News Story
Second Place: “The grid’s balancing act” by Joe Arnold and Scott Flood, Kentucky Living
Writing – News Story
First Place: “The Call You Never Want” by Tom Widlowski, Texas Co-op Power
Writing – Corporate Public Relations
Third Place: “Willie Wiredhand Turns 75” by Hayley Leatherwood, Oklahoma Living
Writing – Corporate Public Relations
First Place: “KAMO Youth Power Academy” by Hayley Leatherwood, Oklahoma Living
Writing – Column or Series
Third Place: “Kentucky Eats” by Joel Sams, Kentucky Living
Writing – Column or Series
Second Place: “Cup o’ Joe” by Joe Hobby, Alabama Living
Writing – Column or Series
First Place: “From the Editor” by Hayley Leatherwood, Oklahoma Living
Writing – Headline Writing
Second Place: “Ode to a Mighty Hunter” by Tom Widlowski, Texas Co-op Power
Writing – Headline Writing
First Place: “Gorging a Path” by Chris Burrows, Texas Co-op Power
Writing – Writing Portfolio
Second Place: “Kentucky Living Joel Sams-Writing Portfolio” by Joel Sams, Kentucky Living
Photography – Scenic/Pictorial
Second Place: “Patriotic push mowers” by Jolea Brown, Kentucky Living
Photography – Scenic/Pictorial
First Place: “Milky Way” by Jason Miller, Kentucky Living
Photography – Photo Feature
Second Place: “Country Ham Festival ride” by Joe Imel, Kentucky Living
Photography – Photo Feature
First Place: “Pie Eating Contest” by Paul Newton, Rural Missouri
Photography – Smartphone
Third Place: “MR340 Race” by Sara Schafer, Rural Missouri
Photography – Photo Illustration
First Place: “No-till, no problem” by Jess Hawkins, Kentucky Living
Photography – Photo Essay or Story
Third Place: “A trusted source” by Kacey Harmeling, Kentucky Living
Photography – Photo Essay or Story
First Place: “Energy Trails” by Lance Shaw, Oklahoma Living Magazine
Photography – Cover
Second Place: “July 2025 cover” by Katy Hurt, Kentucky Living
Photography – Cover
First Place: “Bringing Light, Changing Lives” by Lance Shaw, Oklahoma Living Magazine
Photography – Best Use of Photos in a Publication
First Place: “Texas Co-op Power” by Texas Co-op Power
Photography – Best of Show
Scenic/Pictorial: “Milky Way” by Jason Miller, Kentucky Living
Programs and Projects – Promotional Video 3 minutes and under
First Place: “Texas Youth Tour” by Caytlyn Calhoun, Texas Co-op Power
Programs and Projects – Documentary Video 5 minutes and under
Third Place: “Goats May Be the Greatest of All Time” by Caytlyn Calhoun, Texas Co-op Power
Publications – Words and Pictures
Third Place: “Blue Ribbons and Bragging Rights” by Paul Newton, Rural Missouri
Publications – Words and Pictures
Second Place: “Flowers, Food and Fellowship” by Sara Schafer, Rural Missouri
Publications – Words and Pictures
First Place: “There’s Nothing Square About It” by Angie Jones-Wheeler, Rural Missouri
Publications – Story or Article Design
Third Place: “Treasure of a Trail” by Megan Backes, Rural Missouri
Publications – Story or Article Design
Second Place: “Wildlife 101” by Kacey Harmeling, Kentucky Living
Publications – Story or Article Design
First Place: “Stompin’, Pickin’ & Kickin’” by Megan Backes, Rural Missouri
Publications – Member Publication, annual budget greater than $150,001
Third Place: “Alabama Living” by Alabama Living
Publications – Member Publication, annual budget greater than $150,001
Second Place: “The Tennessee Magazine” by The Tennessee Magazine
Publications – Member Publication, annual budget greater than $150,001
First Place: “Texas Co-op Power” by Texas Co-op Power
Publications – Best of Show
Member Publication, annual budget greater than $150,001, “Texas Co-op Power” by Texas Co-op Power
