By Sunni Brown, Contest Chair

VPC celebrated the winners of the state-level 2024 communications contest earlier today at its Spring Conference. The contest recognizes outstanding work by members of the organization. The contest also attracted several non-members, who have since joined VPC.

By the Numbers

• This year’s contest drew 64 entries from more than 20 communications professionals from across the state.
• Nine judges with expertise in a wide range of communication fields evaluated the competitive entries.
• The results included 56 winning entries.
• Among the winners, 20 first place entries advanced to the national contest.
• Spoiler alert: 13 VPC members will be honored with at least one national award! Official results of the national contest will be announced during an awards dinner during the national conference in St. Louis in June.

Award winners who were unable to attend the conference will receive their certificates in the mail in the coming weeks. All winners will also receive follow up emails with judges’ comments later this month.

Congratulations to all!

State-level contest results include:

Nancy Wright Beasley, North Chesterfield

1st Place

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

May 2023 Proves to be an Important Month

Ananya Chetia, University of Richmond

2nd Place

Writing > News Story > Online publication

The business of college sports and gender-based wage gaps for head coaches

Frances Crutchfield, Midlothian

1st Place

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

Ode to the ERA

2nd Place

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

Gregor’s Recovery

Honorable Mention

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

IRA Celebration

Audrey T. Hingley, Urbanna

1st Place

Writing > Feature Story > Magazine, newsletter/other publication

Pirate Ships in the Northern Neck

1st Place

Photography > Photographer-writer

Memories of Yesteryear (cover); Keeping History Alive (inside)

3rd Place

Writing > Specialty Articles > Travel

Yorktown, Virginia

Gail Kent, Newport News

1st Place

Writing > Specialty Articles > Personal essay (article from author’s perspective with single thesis, supporting statements and conclusion)

The Hands of Time

Arielle Kouyoumdjian, Fairfax

2nd Place

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

Changing Planet Justice Foundation Website

Honorable Mention

Web and Social Media > Podcast

The Changing Planet Justice Podcast

Patty Kruszewski, Henrico

1st Place

Writing > Columns > Personal opinion (bylined, not editorial)

A Night with Chef Paul

Honorable Mention

Writing > Specialty Articles > Green/environmental

One Place to Tell So Many Different Stories

Ann Oppenhimer, Richmond

1st Place

Writing > Specialty Articles > Reviews

Reflections of the Heart: Eldridge Bagley — 50 Years of Painting

1st Place

Public Relations Materials > Brochure > Nonprofit, government or educational

34th Annual Folk Art Society Conference, Richmond, Va.

1st Place

Editing for Print or Online Publications > Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > Newsletter/other publication – non-profit, government, or educational

Folk Art Messenger #110

1st Place

Web and Social Media > Social Media Presence > Nonprofit, government or educational

FACEBOOK: Folk Art Society of America

1st Place

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

Folk Art Society of America, URL= http://www.folkart.org

2nd Place

Writing > Columns > Personal opinion (bylined, not editorial)

Message from the Executive Director, #109

3rd Place

Writing > Specialty Articles > Reviews

Two Book Reviews

3rd Place

Writing > Specialty Articles > Obituary (expanded from a regular obituary)

Obituary: Albert Keiser Jr. 1994-2022

Honorable Mention

Writing > Specialty Articles > Obituary (expanded from a regular obituary

Obituary: Charles “Chuck” Goodstein 1934-2023

Honorable Mention

Writing > Specialty Articles > Obituary (expanded from a regular obituary)

Obituary: Peter Cecere

Note: Ann was this year’s $50 sweepstakes winner.

Cora Perkins, Williamsburg

2nd Place

Writing > Specialty Articles > Reviews

“Walter Etc. Makes a Fiery Return With New Record: ‘When The Band Breaks Up Again’”

Cynthia Price, Glen Allen

2nd Place

Writing > Specialty Articles > Obituary (expanded from a regular obituary)

Remembering the Rev. Dr. David Burhans

Karen Schwartzkopf, Henrico

1st Place

Writing > Publications Regularly Written by Entrant > Newspaper/Magazine/Magapaper (newspaper format with magazine-style writing and design)

Richmond Family Magazine – Sept/Oct 2023

3rd Place

Writing > Columns > Personal opinion (bylined, not editorial)

Editor’s Voice: From My Mother’s Playbook

Sande Snead, Richmond

1st Place

Advertising > Advertising Campaign

“Every Day” campaign

2nd Place

Communications Programs and Campaigns > Marketing Program or Campaign

RWC monthly enewsletter campaign

Co-entrant: Becky O’Farrell

Honorable Mention

Advertising > Single Advertisement

“Every Day” OOH billboard

Pamela Stallsmith, Richmond

1st Place

Writing > Feature Story > Online publication

From Campus to Congress

2nd Place

Writing > Feature Story > Online publication

Journalism Professor’s Acclaimed Book Recalls Washington D.C. Siege

Martha Steger , Midlothian

1st Place

Writing > Specialty Articles > Obituary (expanded from a regular obituary)

Remembering ‘Press Woman’ Barbara Ball

Co-entrant: Wilford Kale

1st Place

Writing > Personality Profile > 750 words or fewer

Stuckey’s Redux

1st Place

Writing > Specialty Articles > Green/environmental

Back to the Future

1st Place

Writing > Specialty Articles > Physical health (fitness, diet, clean lifestyle)

Medically Speaking

1st Place

Writing > Specialty Articles > Travel

Sea to Table in a Small Colombian Town

2nd Place

Writing > Specialty Articles > Travel

Sit Down, Stand Up

Honorable Mention

Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > Short Stories > Single story

Harvest

Honorable Mention

Writing > Specialty Articles > Travel

Music and Meals

Joan Tupponce, Glen Allen

1st Place

Writing > Specialty Articles > Education

UR Here! Get to Know President Kevin Hallock

1st Place

Writing > Personality Profile > More than 750 words

For a look behind the lens, VCU photographer Kevin Morley shares ‘Photoadventures’ from his decades in the field

1st Place

Writing > Specialty Articles > Sports

Mo Alie-Cox recalls his days at VCU and prepares to motivate graduates at commencement

1st Place

Writing > Columns > General

Richmond’s All-Grownup Arts Kid Jason Mraz on “Dancing With the Stars”

2nd Place

Writing > Feature Story > Magazine, newsletter/other publication

It’s a Summer of Space with Astronaut Leland Melvin!

2nd Place

Writing > Specialty Articles > Sports

With the health of athletes in his hands, VCU alum Jerome Reid is an NFL star outside the spotlight

2nd Place

Writing > Columns > General

Get to Know BK Fulton – Virginia’s Media Mogul

3rd Place

Writing > Personality Profile > More than 750 words

Provost reflects on career journey in light of prestigious engineering award

Honorable Mention

Writing > Personality Profile > More than 750 words

She’s Marathon Mom and Elite Runner Keira D’Amato

Honorable Mention
Writing > Feature Story > Magazine, newsletter/other publication
On Track for Holiday Fun!

Alex Veatch on behalf of Letterpress Communications, Farmville

1st Place
Web and Social Media > Social Media Presence > Corporate or for-profit
Green Front Furniture Northern Virginia │Social Media Presence

Co-entrants: Jennifer Kinne, Jessica Broaddus, Karyn Keane

1st Place

Communications Programs and Campaigns > Marketing Program or Campaign

Explore PEC│Wonderful Wellness Weekend

Co-entrants: Jennifer Kinne, Jessica Broaddus, Colin Werth

2nd Place

Advertising > Advertising Campaign

Southern Virginia Higher Education Center│Google Ads Campaign

Co-entrant: Melanie Harris

Julian Walker, Richmond

1st Place

Web and Social Media > Video for Web > Special interest video

Hospital Workplace Violence – Northern Virginia | #HelpUsHelpYou

1st Place

Web and Social Media > Podcast

Patients Come First Podcast – Khalil Watson

2nd Place

Communications Programs and Campaigns > Public Service Program or Campaign

Control Your Care Campaign