2023 State Contest Results

Virginia Professional Communicators announces winners of 2023 state communications contest

30 First-place winners advanced nationally

RICHMOND, Va. — Winners of the Virginia Professional Communicators (VPC) 2023 communications contest were announced May 5 at VPC’s spring conference, held in Fredericksburg.

In addition, 30 first-place winners advanced to the contest of the National Federation of Press Women, of which VPC is an affiliate. Among these, 15 VPC members will receive national awards. National winners will be announced on June 24 at NFPW’s annual conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.

State-level contest results

Bonnie Atwood
Richmond

First place, Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse, Creative Verse, Single poem

Nancy Wright Beasley
North Chesterfield

First place, Writing > Publications Regularly Written by Entrant, Newsletter/other publication, nonprofit, government or educational

Frances Broaddus-Crutchfield
Midlothian

Honorable mention, Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse, Creative Verse, Single poem

Melissa Face
Prince George

First place, Writing > Specialty Articles, Personal essay
Third place, Writing > Feature Story, Magazine, newsletter/other publication

Gail Kent
Newport News

First place, Writing > Personality Profile, More than 750 words
Second place, Writing > Specialty Articles, Personal essay
Second place, Writing > Specialty Articles, Education

Patty Kruszewski
Richmond

First place, Writing > Specialty Articles, Style
First place, Writing > Specialty Articles, Education
Second place, Writing > Feature Story, Online publication
Third place, Writing > Columns, Informational (how-to, Q&A, advice)
Honorable Mention, Writing > Specialty Articles, Social issues
Honorable Mention, Writing > Columns, Informational (how-to, Q&A, advice)

Ann Oppenhimer
Richmond

First place, Writing > Specialty Articles, Obituary
First place, Editing for Print or Online Publications > Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant, Newsletter/other publication – non-profit, government, or educational
First place, Web and Social Media > Social Media Presence, Nonprofit, government or educational
First place, Public Relations Materials, Brochure, Nonprofit, government or educational
Second place, Writing > Specialty Articles, Obituary
Second place, Web and Social Media > Website Edited or Managed by Entrant, Nonprofit, government or educational

Tracy Perkins
Williamsburg

First place, Public Relations Materials > Report

Deana Ricks
Yorktown

First place, Web and Social Media > Website Edited or Managed by Entrant, Nonprofit, government or educational

David Anthony Sam
Locust Grove

First place, Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > Creative Verse, Book of poetry

Scott Schwartzkopf
Henrico

First place, Graphics and Design > Page Design, Magazine or magapaper
- Co-entrant: Doug Orleski
Second place, Graphics and Design > Page Design, Magazine or magapaper

Karen Schwartzkopf
Henrico

First place, Writing > Columns, Personal opinion
First place, Writing > Headlines
First place, Editing for Print or Online Publications > Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant, Magazine/Magapaper

Sande Snead
Richmond

First place, Graphics and Design > Graphics, Infographics
- Co-entrant: Christy Rupertus
First place, Communications Programs and Campaigns > Public Service Program or Campaign
Second place, Advertising > Advertising Campaign

Pam Stallsmith
Richmond

Second place, Writing > Feature Story, Online publication
Honorable Mention, Writing > Specialty Articles, Physical health

Martha Steger
Midlothian

First place, Writing > Specialty Articles, Hobby
First place, Writing > Specialty Articles, Travel
Second place, Writing > Specialty Articles, Travel
Second place, Writing > Specialty Articles, Arts and entertainment
Honorable Mention, Writing > Specialty Articles, History

Diane Thieke
Richmond

First place, Web and Social Media > Website Edited or Managed by Entrant, Corporate or for-profit
- Co-entrants: Heather Scott, Faron Greenfield
First place, Web and Social Media > Blog, Corporate or for-profit
- Co-entrants: Heather Scott, Tara Coughlin, Anna O’Neill Alexander

Joan Tupponce
Glen Allen

First place, Writing > Feature Story, Online publication
First place, Writing > Personality Profile, More than 750 words
First place, Writing > Specialty Articles, Physical health
First place, Writing > Specialty Articles, Arts and entertainment
Second place, Writing > Feature Story, Magazine, newsletter/other publication
Second place, Writing > Personality Profile, More than 750 words
Third place, Writing > Personality Profile, More than 750 words
Third place, Writing > Specialty Articles, Travel

Note: Joan won the VPC Sweepstakes, which is awarded to the award recipient with the most first, second, and third-place entries.

Tyya Turner
Richmond

First place, Writing > Feature Story, Magazine, newsletter/other publication
Second place, Editing for Print or Online Publications > Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant, Magazine/Magapaper

Nicole van Esselstyn
North Chesterfield

Third place, Writing > Specialty Articles, Education
Third place, Writing > Personality Profile, More than 750 words

Meghan van Joosten
Norfolk

First place, Web and Social Media > Electronic Newsletter, Nonprofit, government, or educational

Alex Veatch
Farmville

First place, Advertising > Advertising Campaign
- Co-entrant: Melanie Harris
Second place, Public Relations Materials > Report
- Co-entrant: Aldo Gonzalez