From staff reports
news@joplinglobe.com
Nearly 120 entries were received for the Globe’s 17th annual Academy Awards “Pick the Winners” contest and — as predicted — the expanded Best Picture field made for a bigger challenge this year.
While nearly half of the entries went with James Cameron’s 3D blockbuster “Avatar” for the big win (and most of those selecting him for Best Director), the others were all over the map.
“Up in the Air,” “Precious” and “The Blind Side” were each selected a number of times, possibly more than the actual winner — the Iraq War thriller “The Hurt Locker.”
A total of nine entrants correctly picked the winners in the six top categories, with the three winners determined by date of entry. (Fun fact: Two people sent in their contact information without filling out the ballot. There is no prize for that.)
Julie Vestal took first place and will receive $100; William Bates will receive $50 for second place; and Kay Harlin will get $25 for third place. Each of this year’s winners are from Joplin.
