Rookie of the Year
Bruce Bennett / Palm Beach Post

Bruce Bennett enjoyed a brilliant first year at the Palm Beach Post. He produced work that was impressive not only for a newcomer, but also for a working journalist among his peers.

"Bennett's work has depth, range, creativity and quality" said Pete Cross, the Post's photo chief.

A native of West Palm Beach, Bennett graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor of arts in French literature and language from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1989. He was a recipient of a James M. Johnston academic scholarship.

A career in the federal government loomed for Bennett. He was a publication designer for the U.S. General Services Administration in 1990-91 and a language analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense at embassies in Europe and Africa in 1991-95.

It was during that period, however, that the engaging field of photography captured his attention.
"I first really got involved in it in 1990 as a hobby after graduating from UNC," Bennett said.

"I came down to South Florida to have surgery on a knee I had injured it playing tennis and basketball. I took a class in photography and was hooked from the beginning.

"I knew I wanted to be doing something much more creative with my life. Through my first meeting with John Lopinot [of the Post] and becoming acquainted with the staff, I knew this was where I wanted to work."