First place: John Anderson, Wellsville Daily Reporter

Read online: A final walk for his kids, Bringing life back before death, As years passed, Robin Williams was at every turn, Loudest cheers for the quietest hero

Follow John on Twitter @23JohnAnderson

John Anderson writes about a lot of sad stories, judging from his contest entries. But he does so in an engaging, personal way, even when writing about a national personality such as Robin Williams.

Second place: John Quattrucci, Easton Journal

“This column was written the morning after my 13-year old daughter’s friend, Kacie, also 13, had committed suicide. Written to my daughter,and really, to all teenage girls. Hoping they would not make permanent solutions to short-term problems.”

Read online: How do I tell her?

My favorite column of the competition was “How do I tell Her.” What a way with words this writer has.

Third place: Alice Coyle, Scituate Mariner

Read online: A Father’s Day card for my dad, Disturbing the peace no more, We’d be lost without her

A nice mix of humor and warmth.