The Virginian-Pilot, Daily Press, The Virginia Gazette, Inside Business and other Virginia Media papers won more than 70 awards Saturday from the annual Virginia Press Association news and advertising contest. The Pilot won the grand prize sweepstakes award for overall excellence in news and advertising among daily newspapers.
The papers won more than 30 first-place awards. Veteran crime and courts reporter Peter Dujardin was awarded Journalist of the Year, stemming largely from his coverage of the Richneck Elementary School shooting, and military reporter Caitlyn Burchett earned Best of Show for daily writing.
Sports reporter Larry Rubama won first place for sports column writing, along with food writer Rekaya Gibson, who won first place for critical writing. Frank Shatz won first place for column writing for the Virginia Gazette.
Photographers Stephen Katz and Billy Schuerman each earned six awards, while fellow photographer Kendall Warner won five.
Reporter Eliza Noe won first place for her science and environmental writing and Katrina Dix earned three awards, including two first-place recognitions. Katie King won first for government writing.
“Our newsrooms did an amazing job covering local news last year,” said Kris Worrell, editor-in-chief of Virginia Media. “To be recognized in every category, from writing, page design, photography, digital journalism and advertising, just shows how we continue to excel as a team.”
The awards:
Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press — first-place awards
Pictorial photo: Blue Angels, by Kendall Warner
Sports news photo: Oceanfront Rodeo, by Stephen M. Katz
Health-science and environmental writing: Eliza Noe
Photo illustration: Historic Granby Street by Kendall Warner
Feature story writing: The business of death: This Hampton Roads program trains students in the funeral industry, by Colin Warren-Hicks
Sports pages: Virginian-Pilot staff
Front page: Virginian-Pilot staff
Feature story writing: Harbor Park’s ‘Sodfather’: How groundskeeper Kenny Magner helped downtown jewel rise from trash to treasure, by David Hall
Feature writing portfolio: Caitlyn Burchett
Breaking news photo: Tornado firefighter by Kendall Warner
Slideshow or gallery: Photo staff
General news photo: Mass shooting grief by Stephen M. Katz
Breaking news writing: Richneck shooting — Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press staff
Sports column writing: Larry Rubama
Health-science and environmental writing: Katrina Dix (portfolio)
In-depth or investigative reporting: CNU’s investigation of sexual assault allegations added to their trauma, students say, by Katrina Dix
Critical writing: Rekaya Gibson for in-depth food writing
Government writing: Katie King (portfolio)
Government writing: Caitlyn Burchett (portfolio)
Sports feature photo: Championship Luck, by Billy Schuerman
Page design: Sara Grantner
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Virginia Gazette — first-place awards
Column writing: World Focus, by Frank Statz
Health-science and environmental writing: Alison Johnson
Feature story writing: With helping hand, former Afghan interpreter and family move to Williamsburg, by Sian Wilkerson
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Tidewater Review — first-place awards
General news writing: David Macaulay
Feature profile writing: ‘One of the greatest men I have known’: Former West Point mayor dies at 74, by David Macaulay
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Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press — second place
Pictorial photo: Something in the Water display, by Stephen M. Katz
Photography: Norfolk Tides win championship by Billy Schuerman
Business and financial writing: Trevor Metcalfe (portfolio)
Education writing: Nour Habib (portfolio)
Breaking news photo: Tractor Trailor rescue by Stephen M. Katz
Data journalism: Hannah Eason
General news photo: Libation Ceremony by Kendall Warner
Multimedia report: Macy Friend
Combination picture and story: Pony swim, by Tess Crowley and Gabby Jimenez
Sports feature photo: Tides victory, by Billy Schuerman
Feature series or continuing story: Eastern Shore farmworkers stock our grocery stores. They struggle to take care of themselves, by Katrina Dix
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Virginia Gazette — second place
Column writing: Laura D. Hill
Feature writing portfolio: Sian Wilkerson
General news writing: 4 soldiers’ bodies found at mass grave in Colonial Williamsburg, by Wilford Kale
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Tidewater Review — second place
Government writing: David Macaulay
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Inside Business — second place
News writing portfolio: Sandra Pennecke
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Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press — third place
Personality or portrait photo: Vietnam veteran, by Stephen M. Katz
Sports news photo: Eyes on the ball, by Stephen M. Katz
Feature profile writing: Legendary Outer Banks crabber dies in second suspected Vibrio death this summer, by Corinne Saunders
Breaking news photo: Oceanfront fire, by Billy Schuerman
General news photo: Final flight celebration, by Billy Schuerman
Picture story or essay: Hampton Roads Pride, by Tess Crowley
Breaking news writing: Oceanfront fire, by Stacy Parker and Eliza Noe
Sports column writing: Jami Frankenberry
Health-science and environmental writing: Eliza Noe (portfolio)
Feature photo: Great Egret car ride, by Billy Schuerman
Feature series or continuing story: Ukrainian families displaced by war find support in Norfolk as they chase American dreams, by Caitlyn Burchett and Kendall Warner
Sports writing portfolio: Marty O’Brien
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Virginia Gazette — third place
Critical writing: Wilford Kale
Feature story writing: 50 years later, the last Vietnam POW to be released reflects on Williamsburg homecoming, by Wilford Kale
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Advertising — first-place awards
Education-churches-and Organizations: Alan Levenstein and Teresa Walter
Slick publications: Outer Banks Magazine — Mike Purefoy, Ski Miller, Kari Pugh and Andy Neumann
Automotive: Ernie Chenault
Professional services: Ernie Chenault
Home and garden: Emma Jones
Professional services: Ernie Chenault
Entertainment (Daily Press): Lora Gibson
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Advertising — second place
Special sections: Vikkimarie Tuthill, Ashlee Zapata and Lorena Gonzalez
Automotive: Emma Jones and Teresa Walter
Food and drug: Parker Johnson, Alan Levenstein, Brandon Rios and David Zunkel
Professional services: Ernie Chenault
Home and garden: Ernie Chenault
Small space ads: Joe Wagner and Dare Query
Real estate: Joe Wagner and Dare Query
Member self-promotion: Women in Business event — Teresa Walter and Barbie Curtiss
Fashion and personal care (Daily Press): Teresa Bryant
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Advertising — third place
Special sections: Top Workplaces — Tara Bozick, Ski Miller and Barbie Curtiss
Automotive: Ernie Chenault
Digital advertising: Ernie Chenault
Professional services: Dawn Hughes
Real estate: Joe Wagner and Dare Query
Fashion and personal care: Ernie Chenault
Member self-promotion: Teresa Walter and Barbie Curtiss
