By Sunni Brown, Contest Chair

Virginia Professional Communicators celebrated the winners of the state-level 2025 communications contest on May 3 at its annual Spring Conference, held at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. 

The NFPW National Communications Contest is a two-tiered contest recognizing outstanding work by communicators from various fields, including members of the organization. The first tier is run at the state/VPC level. This year’s contest also attracted several non-members, who have since joined VPC.

By the Numbers

The 2025 contest drew more than 70 entries representing the work of about 30 communications professionals. The results included 63 winning entries, with every applicant receiving at least one award. The winning entries included:

• 24 first-place awards, which have now been forwarded to the national competition to face off against entries from across the country.
• 16 second-place awards
• 7 third-place awards
• 16 honorable mentions

Congratulations to all!

State–level contest results include:

• Nancy Wright Beasley, North Chesterfield

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: It’s Time To Wrap Up Another Year

Publication: Chutzpah and Courage November Newsletter

Category: Writing > Publications Regularly Written by Entrant > Newsletter/other Publication – Nonprofit, Government, or Educational

• Paula Peters Chambers, Richmond

Third Place

Title of Work: Halina Zimm and the Power of Story: Dimensions in Testimony at the Virginia Holocaust Museum

Publication: Richmond Family Magazine

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > History

• Frances Crutchfield, Midlothian

First Place

Category: Speeches > Speech

Title of Work: A Broken Promise

Publication: Presented to the Commonwealth Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution

Category: Speeches > Speech

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: Sasha Festival 2024

Category: Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > Creative Verse > Single Poem

• Patty Kruszewski, Richmond

First Place

Title of Work: Henrico PAL awards night highlights

Publication: The Henrico Citizen

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Social Issues

First Place

Title of Work: Leaders laud impact of Amazon on region

Publication: The Henrico Citizen

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Business

First Place

Title of Work: Dipping Decadence & Cicada Cuisine

Publication: The Henrico Citizen

Category: Writing > Columns > Informational (how-to, Q&A, advice)

Second Place

Title of Work: Garage Gastronomy & Mimosa Merriment

Publication: The Henrico Citizen

Category: Writing > Columns > Informational (how-to, Q&A, advice)

Second Place

Title of Work: Sandston Rotary celebrates heroes

Publication: The Henrico Citizen

Category: Writing > Feature Story > Online Publication

Third Place

Title of Work: Day of Umami

Publication: The Henrico Citizen

Category: Writing > Columns > Informational (how-to, Q&A, advice)

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: CrossOver celebrates expansion of Henrico pharmacy

Publication: The Henrico Citizen

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Health

• Kimberly Loehr, Richmond

First Place

Title of Work: African Centres for Lightning Education Network Brand Kit (Manual)

Publication: National Lightning Safety Council

Category: Public Relations Materials > Catalog, Manual, or Handbook

First Place

Title of Work: Lightning Safety Awareness Week 2024

Publication: National Lightning Safety Council

Category: Information for the Media > Media Pitch

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: Lightning: The Overlooked Threat Striking Schools?

Publication: National Lightning Safety Council

Category: Web and Social Media > Blog > Nonprofit, Government, or Educational

• Ann Oppenhimer, Richmond

First Place

Title of Work: James “Jim” Harley 1932–2024

Publication: Folk Art Society of America

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Obituary

First Place

Title of Work: Folk Art Messenger #113

Publication: Folk Art Society of America

Category: Editing for Print or Online Publications > Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > Newsletter/other Publication – non-profit, Government, or Educational

Second Place

Title of Work: Sanford “Sandy” Smith 1939–2024

Publication: Folk Art Society of America

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Obituary

Third Place

Title of Work: Nall Hollis 1948–2024

Publication: Folk Art Society of America

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Obituary

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: Folk Art Society of America Facebook Page

Publication: Folk Art Society of America

Category: Web and Social Media > Social Media Presence > Nonprofit, Government, or Educational

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: Folk Art Society of America Website

Publication: Folk Art Society of America

Category: Web and Social Media > Website Edited or Managed by Entrant > Nonprofit, Government, or Educational

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: Grey Carter 1938–2024

Publication: Folk Art Society of America

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Obituary

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: Audrey B. Heckler 1938–2024

Publication: Folk Art Society of America

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Obituary

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: Message from the Executive Director

Publication: Folk Art Society of America

Category: Writing > Columns > Personal Opinion (bylined, not editorial)

• Cynthia Price, Glen Allen

First Place

Title of Work: Lessons in nature on the University of Richmond campus

Publication: UR Now

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Green/environmental

• Devin Reese, Alexandria

First Place

Title of Work: Samplings from April 2024

Publication: Natural History magazine

Category: Editing for Print or Online Publications > Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > Magazine

Co-Entrants: Charles Harris, Martin Paul

• Deana Ricks, Yorktown

First Place

Title: To Do Justice – Voluntary Honor Tax

Publication: Grace Episcopal Church Yorktown

Category: Writing > Publications Regularly Written by Entrant > Newsletter/other Publication, nonprofit, Government, or Educational

First Place

Title: You Can Help > Moving Forward

Publication: Save YCSD

Category: Web and Social Media > Web Copy

First Place

Title: Susan Constant Restoration

Publication: Jamestown–Yorktown Foundation

Category: Web and Social Media > Website Edited or Managed by Entrant > Nonprofit, Government, or Educational

Co-entrant: Tracy Perkins

First Place

Title: Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design

Publication: Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

Category: Communications Programs and Campaigns > Marketing Program or Campaign

Co-entrants: Tracy Perkins, Meghan Van Joosten, Joan Heikens, Holland Winslow, Glenda Turner, Brian Forrester, Tina Theodor, Lianne Koch, and Cathy Rawlins

Second Place

Title: Graceful Ground Newsletter

Publication: Grace Episcopal Church Yorktown

Category: Web and Social Media > Electronic Newsletter > Nonprofit, Government, or Educational

Second Place

Title: #SaveYCSD

Publication: Save YCSD

Category: Web and Social Media > Website Edited or Managed by Entrant > Nonprofit, Government, or Educational

Second Place

Title: Visitor FAQs

Publication: Jamestown–Yorktown Foundation

Category: Web and Social Media > Web Copy

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: Graceful Ground

Publication: Grace Episcopal Church Yorktown

Category: Editing for Print or Online Publications > Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > Newsletter/other Publication – nonprofit, Government, or Educational

• Cherika Ruffin, Richmond

First Place

Title of Work: RideFinders News

Publication: RideFinders

Category: Web and Social Media > Electronic Newsletter > Nonprofit, Government, or Educational

Second Place

Title of Work: RideFinders Third Annual Caring Commutes Challenge

Publication: RideFinders

Category: Web and Social Media > Social Media Campaign > Nonprofit, Government, or Educational

Third Place

Title of Work: RideFinders Why Carpool? with Commander Carpool

Publication: RideFinders

Category: Web and Social Media > Social Media Campaign > Nonprofit, Government, or Educational

• Sande Snead, Richmond

Second Place

Category: Advertising > Advertising Campaign

Title of Work: Meet Me at RWC

Category: Advertising > Advertising Campaign

Co-entrant: Becky O’Farrell

Second Place

Title of Work: Rappahannock Westminster–Canterbury e–newsletter campaign

Category: Communications Programs and Campaigns > Marketing Program or Campaign

Co-entrant: Becky O’Farrell

• Pamela Stallsmith, Richmond

First Place

Title of Work: Impromptu sloth rescue highlights dangers to the rainforest

Publication: UR Now

Category: Writing > Feature Story > Online Publication

Third Place

Title of Work: Chocolate-making alum’s recipe for success

Publication: UR Now

Category: Writing > Feature Story > Online Publication

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: A master class in shattering barriers

Publication: UR Now

Category: Writing > Feature Story > Online Publication

• Martha Steger, Midlothian

First Place

Title of Work: Three-day Olive-harvest Getaway

Publication: The Beacon

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Travel

First Place

Title of Work: The Long Winter of Cancer

Category: Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > Creative Verse > Single Poem

Second Place

Title of Work: Late March May Be Vermont’s Sweet Spot

Publication: The Beacon

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Travel

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: A Remembrance of Ginger Levit

Publication: VPC Newsletter

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Obituary

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: Claw of the Dragon

Publication: Virginia Living

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Travel

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: Chef Patrick O’Connell: Stoves and Michelin Stars

Publication: Boomer Magazine

Category: Writing > Personality Profile > 750 Words or Fewer

• Diane Thieke, Richmond

First Place

Title of Work: Two Years Later: Gen AI, Content Marketing, and What’s Next

Category: Web and Social Media > Blog > Corporate or for-profit

Co-entrants: Heather Scott and Anna O’Neill Alexander

• Joan Tupponce, Glen Allen

First Place

Title of Work: A Special Force

Publication: Richmond Magazine

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Hobby (crafts, building, designing, construction)

First Place

Title of Work: A Magical Sound

Publication: Richmond Magazine

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Arts and Entertainment

First Place

Title of Work: Meet the Delightful Desiree!

Publication: Richmond Family Magazine

Category: Writing > Personality Profile > More than 750 words

Second Place

Title of Work: Dancing On Air

Publication: Richmond Magazine

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Arts and Entertainment

Second Place

Title of Work: Hanover Family Finds Inspiration on Other Side of House Fire

Publication: Richmond Family Magazine

Category: Writing > Columns > General

Second Place

Title of Work: Faith. Hope. Love, Marian

Publication: Richmond Family Magazine

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Health (mental, emotional and physical health, fitness, diet, healthy lifestyle)

Third Place

Title of Work: Going Nuclear

Publication: Richmond Magazine

Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Health (mental, emotional and physical health, fitness, diet, healthy lifestyle)

Third Place

Title of Work: Lori Waran Is a Win for Racing!

Publication: Richmond Family Magazine

Category: Writing > Personality Profile > More than 750 words

• Tyya Turner, Richmond

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: Living with Alzheimer’s: A Brother’s Story of Resilience

Publication: SigEp Journal

Category: Writing > Feature Story > Magazine, Newsletter/other Publication

Honorable Mention

Title of Work: SigEp Journal

Publication: SigEp Journal

Category: Editing for Print or Online Publications > Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > Magazine

• Catherine Venable, Richmond

Second Place

Title of Work: Acie Brown: Autistic and Adventurous

Publication: Folk Art Society of America

Category: Writing > Personality Profile > More than 750 words

• Beth Wiltshire, Richmond

Second Place

Title of Work: Justice

Publication: Phoenix Rising

Category: Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > Creative Verse > Single Poem

• Alexandra Veatch on behalf of Letterpress Communications, Farmville

First Place

Title of Work: Monument by Green Front

Category: Web and Social Media > Social Media Presence > Corporate or For-profit

First Place

Title of Work: Make Your Move: Highland County, VA, Google Ads Campaign

Category: Advertising > Advertising Campaign

Second Place

Title of Work: Green Front’s Definitive Guide to the Best Power Reclining Sectionals, Sofas and Chairs for 2024 (and Beyond)

Category: Web and Social Media > Blog > Corporate or For-profit