A futuristic, three-tiered podium with black and red bases, each displaying the Independence Fleet logo in large white letters. The top tier features the fleet's logo, a stylized star with a purple hue, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The podiums sit on a checkerboard floor, giving the scene a modern, sleek look.

Monthly Awards: January 2026

In the midst of all the paloozas, here are your January awards!

Best Post (Single Author)

Cmdr. Rhiana t’Aegis
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Firebird

For “Meanwhile, On The Other Side”

A great writer knows how to write for different cultures and perspectives, and this captures it very well, building the tension without being melodramatic. 


Best Post (Joint Post)

Lieutenant Kestra Ral & Lieutenant Dezkar Veen
Chief Science Officer / Chief Engineering Officer
USS Montana

For “Phaser Fire”

A great post, having two characters interact, help move the plot along while doing a great job setting up tension without it being thrown directly into the reader’s face.   


Funniest Post

Cmdr. Jenna Ramthorne & Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Cmdr. Dean House
CFCO / CSS / CTO
USS Sunfire

For “The Return of the Mac – and the Dance of Shame”

Starfleet Officers are supposed to be calm, poised, and stoic, and this is the complete opposite of that. 


Genesis

Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Commander Rhiana t’Aegis & Ensign Gianna Djokovic
CO / CSTO / TO
USS Firebird

For “Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc”

Well written, and deep with characters and themes. An interesting look at how you can plan for one thing, and maybe take the more difficult path instead.


MVP

Lieutenant JG Kate Kono
Intelligence Officer
USS Washington

The Washington’s Intelligence Officer wrote 10 truly outstanding posts, a good mix of joint and solo posts, that took the story in highly creative directions.


Most Posts

Commander Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington

For writing 12 posts.


Most Improved

Commander Donald “Don” Key
Flight Control Officer
USS Albion

Commander Key came roaring back with a bang taking the mission in a distinctly comedic direction while also involving the whole crew and fleshing out mission specific NPCs.


Rookie of the Month

Ensign Ozai Y’zyr
Tactical Officer
USS Firebird

The new Trill Tactical Officer was chomping at the bit while the mission concluded. Has jumped in with multiple excellent posts and has integrated well with the diverse crew.


Recruitment

None this month.


There is one more piece of business. It turns out that Admiral Star did miss one award in Awardapalooza a few weeks back. While we did announce Ken Gillis’s 2022 Simming Prize via social media, we never included it in a blog post. Well, that is now corrected! Here is his citation in full straight from The Simming Prize:

“With an illustrious career spanning decades in multiple groups and roles, the breadth of his accomplishments is unrivaled. From both his and simming’s early days as founder of Pi Fleet, Administrator of RolePlayerUSA, and the 11th President of the Simming League to more recently as Executive Officer of Independence Fleet, Chair of FallFest, and serving as a board member at multiple organizations, his selfless efforts to positively impact to the broader community are exactly what we need today.”

A gold medal featuring a portrait of a man, framed by a laurel wreath, hanging from a blue ribbon with four gold stars—symbolizing excellence and recognition within a creative or roleplaying community.

Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

A futuristic, three-tiered podium with black and red bases, each displaying the Independence Fleet logo in large white letters. The top tier features the fleet's logo, a stylized star with a purple hue, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The podiums sit on a checkerboard floor, giving the scene a modern, sleek look.

Recordapalooza 2025

We recently had one big post on community awards from outside IDF. Why not another big post on awards from within Independence Fleet? That’s what this is! We’ve crunched the numbers for everything from our July 4, 2001 founding through the end of 2025. In that time, IDF has issued 1,248 monthly awards to 599 unique characters, representing 52 different sims. Wow, what a history! Since a table with 599 people would be too big for this article, we decided to narrow it down to the 25. On a separate note, we’ll be celebrating our 25th anniversary later this year! Awards were presented Jul 2001-Oct 2005, Oct 2010-Jul 2013, and Mar 2020-present.

Here we go with our monthly awards records…

Active or recently active member
Hall of Famer

Active members of the fleet are now 1-10 on the all-time leaderboard, and include 18 of the top 25 spots. Hall of Famers make up only 6 of the top 25 today. It seems we likely have A LOT of future Hall of Famers in our midst! Also, Jenna Ramthorne has (barely) overtaken Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell for #1, with Jonathan Grayson not too far behind at #3. Long-time sims USS Chuck Norris, USS Sunfire, and USS Washington dominate the list when looking at the primary sim of characters:

  • USS Washington: 4 of the top 10; 8 of the top 25
  • USS Sunfire: 3 of the top 10; 7 of the top 25
  • USS Chuck Norris: 3 of the top 10; 5 of the top 25

Breaking it out by sim:

The Sunfire leads the way with 236.5 total awards, with the Washington not too far back at 220. Active sims claim spots #1-4 (the USS Liberty is at #3 overall with 96.5 awards) and 6 of the top 10–the more recent addition to the fleet USS Firebird lands right in that 10 spot with 42 awards. The USS Wayfarer is #6 with 52 awards, and the USS Albion and USS Montana sit just outside the top 10 at #11 (26 awards) and #12 (23 awards), respectively.

Breaking it down further to awards issued since they were reinstated in 2020 (546 total awards):

The Washington leads the pack this time with 155, and the Sunfire is in second place at 118.5. The Washington also has the longest streak of winning at least one monthly award, dating all the way back to May 2021 for 57 months in a row if you count January 2026. I can’t find another streak that even comes close. If the W can make it through April of this year, that would make it an astounding five full years with at least one award each month!

Speaking of the W (and a few others), here is the list of sims that led the fleet in awards each year since 2020:

In case you happen to want to see each year fully broken out, we have that too:

Since they are mentioned throughout, let’s also not forget about our other two outstanding sims: USS Churchill & USS Eminence.

Finally, I would like to thank Rook Mirtoh and Arthur Winters, each whom has served as our Director of Personnel, which is the role primarily responsible for selecting the award winners (Mirtoh, March 2020-September 2023; Winters, May 2024-today, with Ken Gillis and me filling in a few times here and there). It’s more tedious than you might imagine! Thank you for making one IDF’s enduring legacies possible!

With that, let’s keep these amazing awards coming!

A rectangular banner featuring Admiral Charles Star, Commander-in-Chief of Independence Fleet. On the left is a black-and-white photo of a man in a red and black Starfleet uniform wearing a hat. The right side displays the name "Admiral Charles Star" in large white text, with "Commander-in-Chief" and "Independence Fleet" below it. The background is black with a purple winged bell logo faintly behind the text. The frame is metallic with a purple accent.
A futuristic, three-tiered podium with black and red bases, each displaying the Independence Fleet logo in large white letters. The top tier features the fleet's logo, a stylized star with a purple hue, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The podiums sit on a checkerboard floor, giving the scene a modern, sleek look.

Monthly Awards: September 2025

Petty Officer 3rd Class Thyra Kevensdotter
Security Officer
USS Firebird

For “Anomaly: Daddy Issues”

A fantastic post about family, and how ones’s words can be better than a weapon.


Best Post (Joint Post)

Cmdr. Jennifer Baldric & Cmdr. Dean House & Ens. Kitiuas Thenis ie-Jia’anKahr & Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
MA / CTO / SO / CSS
USS Sunfire

For “Team DS9 pt4”

Action, suspense, and putting main characters in jeopardy, with explosions of course.


Funniest Post

Ens. Kasm & Cmdr. Samantha Howard & Lt. Imik S’Niohun
RO / CMO / CSTO
USS Washington

For “Standing Guard”

A somewhat absurd situation where taking your orders a little too literally can lead to ridiculous yet understanding situations.


Genesis

Captain Shran dh’Klar
Commanding Officer
USS Washington

For “Two Mysteries”

Distress call, unknown planet, let the games begin.


MVP

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

A posting machine, both solo and joint posts. I am in awe.


Most Posts

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

For writing 39 posts.


Most Improved

Ensign Kitiuas Thenis ie-Jia’anKahr
Science Officer
USS Sunfire

Kit returned from leave with a bang, jumping straight into the mission and getting elbows deep in it.


Rookie of the Month

Chief Petty Officer Aaron Geiger
Engineering Officer
USS Washington

A new player who chose an enlisted rank, and barely had a full week yet had multiple posts and is fitting in well with the rest of the crew.


Recruitment

None this month.


Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

A futuristic, three-tiered podium with black and red bases, each displaying the Independence Fleet logo in large white letters. The top tier features the fleet's logo, a stylized star with a purple hue, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The podiums sit on a checkerboard floor, giving the scene a modern, sleek look.

Monthly Awards: August 2025

Ensign Helle Leed
Biologist
USS Firebird

For “Anomaly: The Flame Remembers”

Written so well it’s like you’re there.


Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & SCPO Ronson Mitchell & Cmdr. Jenna Ramthorne & Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Lt. Cmdr. Aurora Vali & Lt. JG Ngaza & Ens. Kitiuas Thenis ie-Jia’anKahr & Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
CO / Y / CFCO / XO / CC / CSOO / SO / CSS
USS Sunfire

For “Looking Deeper”

It’s a symphony of collaboration.


Funniest Post

PO3 Thyra Kevensdotter & Capt. Malcom Llwyedd & Ens. Emilynn Dove & MCPO Harris Zim
RO / CO / OO / CB
USS Firebird

For “Fool Me Once”

I definitely wanted to read this one more than once.


Genesis

Capt. Mira Rodale Lance & Cmdr. Kevin Lance & Lt. Cmdr. Awal Kronnelti & Lt. Betaras K’ner
CO / XO / CSTO / CMO
USS Chuck Norris

For “And then there was”

A great way to start the next chapter.


MVP

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

She has been an absolute powerhouse this month with a great mix of solo and joint posts while simultaneously wrapping up one mission and setting up the next.


Most Posts

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

For writing 11 posts.


Most Improved

Lieutenant JG James Phoenix
Tactical Officer
USS Washington

Coming off a non-stop action month, he somehow still found a way to step it up with some truly outstanding posting.


Rookie of the Month

Ensign Fiona Flores
Communications and Operations Officer
USS Montana

She jumped right into joint posts with multiple crew members, improving both the quality and quantity of the ship’s posts. She has just the right recommendations to improve the story–a welcomed addition!


Recruitment

None this month.


Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

A futuristic, three-tiered podium with black and red bases, each displaying the Independence Fleet logo in large white letters. The top tier features the fleet's logo, a stylized star with a purple hue, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The podiums sit on a checkerboard floor, giving the scene a modern, sleek look.

Monthly Awards: July 2025

It’s just me, your guest host this month!

Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For “Indecent Proposal”

Only on the Chuck Norris.


Best Post (Joint Post)

Cmdr. Jenna Ramthorne & Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Cmdr. Dean House & Lt. Cmdr. Aurora Vali & Lt. JG Micheal Stevens & Lt. JG Thalek zh’Vareth & Ens. Kitiuas Thenis ie-Jia’anKahr & Cmdr. Jennifer Baldric & Lt. Cmdr. Rynn Upland & Lt. Sarah Wilson
CFCO / CSS / CO / XO / CTO / CC / CRO / CMO / SO / MA / ACEO / MO
USS Sunfire

For “Flight of the Saviours”

A fast paced montage that hits all the right notes, even if Saviors is spelled wrong.


Funniest Post

Capt. Malcom Llwyedd & Cmdr. Rhiana t’Aegis & Lt. Zub Enel & PO3 Thyra Kevensdotter & Ens. Gianna Djokovic & Lt. JG Peter “Jinx” Kooba
CO / CSTO / ACSTO / SO / TO / SIO
USS Firebird

For “Evaluation: Security and Tactical”

When everyone has to play the game.


Genesis

None this month.


MVP

Ensign Emilynn Dove
Operations Officer
USS Firebird

The Ensign is a dynamic presence in and out of the story, writing truly outstanding posts while constantly helping others. She is the type of player the who raises up everything about the sim.


Most Posts

Commander Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington

For writing 11 posts.


Most Improved

Ensign Kitiuas Thenis ie-Jia’anKahr
Science Officer
USS Sunfire

The Ensign returned from LOA with a bang, complete with excellent posts and plot twists. It was as if she had never left.


Rookie of the Month

Lieutenant JG Thalek zh’Vareth
Chief Medical Officer
USS Sunfire

New new CMO dove straight in with complex medial storylines. An amazing entrance–that’s how it’s done.


Recruitment

None this month.


Don’t worry, we’ll be back to your regularly scheduled host next month.

A rectangular banner featuring Admiral Charles Star, Commander-in-Chief of Independence Fleet. On the left is a black-and-white photo of a man in a red and black Starfleet uniform wearing a hat. The right side displays the name "Admiral Charles Star" in large white text, with "Commander-in-Chief" and "Independence Fleet" below it. The background is black with a purple winged bell logo faintly behind the text. The frame is metallic with a purple accent.

A futuristic, three-tiered podium with black and red bases, each displaying the Independence Fleet logo in large white letters. The top tier features the fleet's logo, a stylized star with a purple hue, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The podiums sit on a checkerboard floor, giving the scene a modern, sleek look.

Monthly Awards: June 2025

Ensign Emilynn Dove
Operations Officer
USS Firebird

For “Courage to fly”

Excellent, hits all the right notes.


Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Mira Rodale Lance & Cmdr. Kevin Lance & Lt. Cmdr. Awal Kronnelti & Lt. Tracey Walker Jr & Lt. Betaras K’ner
CO / XO / CSTO / CEO / CMO
USS Chuck Norris

For “What in the World?”

Now that’s a Chuck Norris post.


Funniest Post

Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Cmdr. Dean House
CSS / CTO
USS Sunfire

For “Dinner and Some Drinking”

Up to trouble on the Sunfire.


Genesis

Capt. Alex Shepard & Cmdr. Mei Irizaki
CO / XO
USS Eminence

For “Genesis”

It literally is Genesis.


MVP

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

In addition to keeping the Sunfire’s engine room tidy, the consistent top notch writing and and comic relief are something to behold.


Most Posts

Ensign Emilynn Dove
Operations Officer
USS Firebird

For writing 9 posts.


Most Improved

Lieutenant Ánderijá “Rija” Rautajärvi
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
USS Washington

In his first full month, he has continues to impress with strong and collaborative posting that advances story while also being very interesting and full of character development.


Rookie of the Month

Ensign Kasm
Security Officer
USS Washington

Coming aboard as a new player is tough, even more so when you are playing a new and unique species, but here is Ensign Kasm showcasing exactly how it’s done.


Recruitment

None this month.


Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

A futuristic, three-tiered podium with black and red bases, each displaying the Independence Fleet logo in large white letters. The top tier features the fleet's logo, a stylized star with a purple hue, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The podiums sit on a checkerboard floor, giving the scene a modern, sleek look.

Monthly Awards: February 2025

Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For “Taken”

A great post, lots of mystery, with possible hidden agendas and trying to get rid of the one person seeking to get to the bottom of things.


Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Michael Murphy & Lt. Cmdr. Steve Ryan & Lt. Kestra Ral & Lt. Stuart Mann
CO / XO / CSO / NO
USS Montana

For “The Best Laid Plans…”

Great writing all together, and good to see species that were mentioned before making a comeback, all with betrayal and commerce in the background.


Funniest Post

Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Cmdr. Dean House
Computer Systems Specialist / Second Officer
USS Sunfire

For “The Jig is Up”

A continuation from last month–the good times and writing keep rolling.


Genesis

Capt. Mira Rodale & Lt. Cmdr. Awal Kronnelti & Lt. Betaras K’ner
CO / CSTO / CMO
USS Chuck Norris

For “Days to come”

Trying to turn the Chuck Norris in for extensive upgrades? More comfort? Holorooms… this will surely lead to trouble.


MVP

Lieutenant Imik S’Niohun
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Washington

As the mission solidified, the Washington’s Chief Tactical Officer took the lead in the subplot, helping to guide events on the main storyline.


Most Posts

Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For writing 7 posts.


Most Improved

Lieutenant Inara Senn
Chief Science Officer
USS Washington

The Washington’s Chief Science Officer had a nice month trying to railroad the cadets in addition to being her usual misanthropic and funny self.


Rookie of the Month

Ensign Varin Maxim
Science Officer
USS Sunfire

The Sunfire’s new Science Officer leapt aboard with a bang and three posts in his first month.


Recruitment

None this month.


Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

A futuristic, three-tiered podium with black and red bases, each displaying the Independence Fleet logo in large white letters. The top tier features the fleet's logo, a stylized star with a purple hue, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The podiums sit on a checkerboard floor, giving the scene a modern, sleek look.

Monthly Awards: January 2025

Petty Officer 1st Class Baris Demir
Quartermaster
USS Firebird

For “Thoughts In The Dark”

A great post about the struggles that one can have with their own identity and where they belong in Starfleet.


Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Michael Murphy & Lt. Cmdr. Steve Ryan & Lt. Kestra Ral
CO / XO / CSO
USS Montana

For “Checking In”

When the Montana shows up and asks too many questions, the mystery begins, and so does the intrigue.


Funniest Post

Cmdr. Dean House & Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
Second Officer / Computer Systems Specialist
USS Sunfire

For “Come On Join the Joyride”

A great back and forth, funny, but also heart-felt, and there is a great nostalgia when you add in WW2 planes.


Genesis

Capt. Malcom Llwyedd & Cmdr. Cynfor Rees & Cmdr. Siora Carberos & Lt. Cmdr. Rhiana t’Aegis & Lt. Cmdr. Jörgen Leed & Lt. Owen Woodhouse & Lt. Gale Deekros & Lt. Hank Solomon & Lt. Jackson Smith & Lt. JG Zub Enel & Ens. Emilynn Dove & Crewman Thyra Kevensdotter & Cadet Senior Grade Abigail Gordon
CO / XO / CEO / 2O / CDO / COO / SO / CSO / CIO / SIO / OO / RO / N
USS Firebird

For “Predators Aftermath”

The entire crew coming together to get the start of a mission off with a bang! Depth, intrigue, and off to the Gamma Quadrant, I can’t wait to see where it heads to!


MVP

Commander Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington

It was almost a foregone conclusion that he would win something this month with his hands in nearly every Washington post. Great work, excellent overall plot, and strong character development for himself and everyone else because of him.


Most Posts

Commander Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington

For writing 9 posts.


Most Improved

Ensign Emilynn Dove
Operations Officer
USS Firebird

Participated in four joint posts. She is continually seeking to become a better writer, takes advice well, and makes excellent changes. Still passionate about simming, she has seen an incredible improvement in the last few months.


Rookie of the Month

None this month.


Recruitment

Commander Mashiro Munetani “Shiro”
Executive Officer
USS Wayfarer

Hot on the recruitment trail for both the Wayfarer and the fleet, actively seeking new players.


Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

A futuristic, three-tiered podium with black and red bases, each displaying the Independence Fleet logo in large white letters. The top tier features the fleet's logo, a stylized star with a purple hue, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The podiums sit on a checkerboard floor, giving the scene a modern, sleek look.

Monthly Awards: October 2024

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant Kaelen Voss
Damage Control Specialist
USS Firebird

For “Farewell to the Lenox Hill”

A very well written, heartfelt post.


Best Post (Joint Post)

Lt. Cmdr. Deanna Celes & Cmdr. Jonathan Grayson & Lt. Cmdr. Callie Raven-Grayson
ACOO / XO / CC
USS Washington

For “What Now?”

Solid! Much like the mighty Oak tree, solid as solid can be!


Funniest Post

Cmdr. Jenna Ramthorne & Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Cmdr. Dean House & Lt. Cmdr. Thriss Kla’ren & Cmdr. Jennifer Baldric
CFCO / CSS / XO / CTO / CEO / MA
USS Sunfire

For “Something to Write Home About”

One has said that it’s hard to bring whales back into the foreground since the last time they were brought into Trek, but here we are, breaking new ground yet again.


Genesis

Capt. Malcom Llwyedd & Lt. Owen Woodhouse & Lt. Soto Gantt
CO / COO / ACEO
USS Firebird

For “Atmospheric Pressure Light Indicator”

A nice start to what will be a great mystery that the crew no doubt jumps into.


MVP

Lieutenant Kaelen Voss
Damage Control Specialist
USS Firebird

He wrote 6 outstanding posts this month. High quality writing plus participation on different platforms is a quick way to stand out while growing into a position. Well done!


Most Posts

Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For writing 24 posts.


Most Improved

Lieutenant Commander Thriss Kla’ren
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Sunfire

The Sunfire’s Chief Engineer returned from a short break to find the Borg onboard and Engineering being invaded. The rest was writing genius.


Rookie of the Month

Ensign Emilynn Dove
Operations Officer
USS Firebird

Brand new to simming, she jumped in with 3 completed joint posts in her first month. She clearly loves Trek and is so eager to learn and participate.


Recruitment

None this month.


Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

A futuristic transporter room from a starship, featuring a circular transport pad with glowing blue lights and a surrounding control console displaying LCARS interface. The walls are lined with illuminated panels, and overhead lights highlight the center of the pad.

23rd Anniversary Webcast: July 6th at 7pm Eastern

Beam up to our Discord server this Saturday, July 6th at 7pm Eastern for our 23rd Anniversary Webcast, hosted again by Ken Gillis. Again, that’s July 6th at 7:00 PM ET (-4) / July 7th at 12:00 AM BST (+1). And yes, it will once more include real prizes!

Everyone who won any share of a monthly award from June 2023 through May 2024 had name added to the big wheel below, which we will spin this Saturday for real prizes. All award fractions were rounded up.


Speaking of the big prize wheel, an internal audit of our blog revealed that we never announced the winners from last year’s webcast spin. They were Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell of the USS Sunfire and Captain Shran dh’Klar of the USS Washington. Their prizes were…


What will the prizes be this year? Tune in this Saturday to find out!