The 2025 Yankee Quill Awards Luncheon, held on March 29 at The Portland Regency Hotel in Maine, honored four outstanding journalists and two historical figures for their lasting contributions to the profession. Presented by the Academy of New England Journalists, the Yankee Quill is the region’s highest individual honor, recognizing those who have shown exceptional dedication to the craft and values of journalism.
Mike Bello
A veteran editor and reporter, Bello was recognized for nearly 50 years of impactful journalism, including his work at The Boston Globe and his role in the Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Randy Capitani
Co-publisher of the Deerfield Valley News, Capitani was honored for his decades of service to local journalism in Vermont and his leadership in regional press associations.
Gloria Negri
Awarded posthumously, the late Gloria Negri broke barriers at The Boston Globe, where she spent 53 years giving voice to the underrepresented and mentoring generations of reporters.
Jacqueline Smith
With a career spanning over 40 years, Smith has been a fierce advocate for press freedom, including her role as ombudsman for Stars and Stripes and her ongoing work defending the First Amendment.
Henry and Benjamin Lindsey
The Lindsey brothers were honored posthumously for founding and publishing the Whalemen’s Shipping List, a vital maritime newspaper during the golden age of American whaling.
Scroll down for photo highlights from this year’s Yankee Quill Awards celebration.