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: May 2026

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant JG Kate Kono
Intelligence Officer
USS Washington

For “Inside Out”

What a post! It’s always good to remember that these are characters, and writing them more relatable and realistic can be just as, if not more important than techno-babble or explosions. 


Best Post (Joint Post)

S’thenosis Gorgox & 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. Thriss Kla’ren & Lt. Cmdr. Aurora Vali & Lieutenant JG Jacob Rosen & Lieutenant JG Micheal Stevens & Lieutenant JG T’Lar & Lieutenant JG Olivia Voight & Lieutenant JG Rowan Hale & Ens. Kitiuas Thenis ie-Jia’anKahr & Cmdr. Jennifer Baldric & Lt. Cmdr. Rynn Upland & Lt. Sarah Wilson
Guest / CFCO / CSS / CO / XO / CTO / CEO / CC / COO / CRO / C / MO / CMO / SO / MA / ACEO / ACMO
USS Sunfire

For “Pop, Lock and Drop Em'”

This is a great scene that encompasses a balance between the main characters, the villains, and even the ship herself almost feels like a character as everything comes together to centre the whole story.  


Funniest Post

Ensign Ozai Y’zyr & Petty Officer 1st Class Fhiri
Tactical Officer / Computer Systems Specialist
USS Firebird

For “Borrowed Knowledge”

The absurdity of everything happening in this post, as well as the dialogue, harkens back to some serious classic Trek with a few homages here and there that make it delightful and well worth the read.


Genesis

Captain Shran dh’Klar
Commanding Officer
USS Washington

For “Sins Laid Bare”

A nice start to a story that could go anywhere. Will there be repercussions for the actions of her Captain? What mystery does the Klingon ship hold? Does the crew have the answers or more questions? Hope we get to find out!


MVP

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

She is the Sunfire’s power player: A consistent high poster, with humorous, dramatic, and whimsical writing, plus everything inbetween.


Most Posts

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

For writing 26 posts.


Most Improved

Lieutenant JG James Phoenix
Tactical Officer
USS Washington

He did excellent work with some interesting collaborative posts, putting forth a strong showing from the beginning to the end of the month.


Rookie of the Month

None this 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 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