2026 Communications Contest State-Level Results
By Sunni Brown, Contest Chair
Virginia Professional Communicators celebrated the winners of the state-level 2026 communications contest on April 18 at its annual Spring Conference, held at the University of Richmond.
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 2026 contest drew more about 70 entries representing the work of 40 communications professionals. The results included 64 award-winning entries, with every applicant receiving at least one award.
The winning entries included:
- 23 first-place awards, which have now been forwarded to the national competition to face off against entries from across the country.
- 17 second-place awards
- 8 third-place awards
- 16 honorable mentions
Congratulations to all!
Contest winners who were able to attend the Spring Conference have received their awards. Certificates will be mailed to winners who could not attend soon. All contest winners will also soon receive a follow-up email with comments from the contest judges about their entries.
State–level contest results include:
- Nancy Wright Beasley, North Chesterfield
Organization: Chutzpah and Courage
2nd Place
Title of Work: New Year, New Teacher, New Milestone
Publication: News From Nancy Wright Beasley
Category: Writing > Publications Regularly Written by Entrant > Newsletter/other publication, nonprofit, government or educational
- Lyndsie Blakely, Farmville
Organization: Letterpress Communications
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: Southside SPCA Website
Category: Web and Social Media > Website Edited or Managed by Entrant > Nonprofit, government or educational
Co-Entrants: Jessica Broaddus, Chris Cook, Megan George, Karyn Keane David Robinson, and Alexandra Veatch
- Jessica Broaddus, Farmville
Organization: Letterpress Communications
1st Place
Title of Work: Green Front’s Guide to the Best American-Made Furniture: Part 1 (2025 Picks + Forever Favorites)
Category: Web and Social Media > Blog > Corporate or for-profit
Co-Entrants: Melanie Harris, Jennifer Kinne, Marge Swayne, and Alexandra Veatch
- Frances Broaddus-Crutchfield, Midlothian
3rd Place
Title of Work: To Lafayette
Publication: Read at Luncheon for Lafayette’s 268th Birthday
Category: Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > Creative Verse > Single poem
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: Sasha Festival 2025
Publication: Doll Castle News, Broadway, New Jersey
Category: Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > Creative Verse > Single poem
- Catherine Brown, Richmond
Organization: Virginia Commonwealth University
1st Place
Title of Work: Are mental illnesses brain diseases?
Publication: VCU Magazine
Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Health (mental, emotional and physical health, fitness, diet, healthy lifestyle)
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: STEAM Rises: Inspiring Richmond’s Next Generation of Innovators
Publication: Richmond Family Magazine
Category: Writing > Feature Story > Magazine, newsletter/other publication
- Julie Campbell, Richmond
1st Place
Title of Work: President’s Message
Publication: NFPW E-Letter, May 2025 Issue
Category: Writing > Columns > General
- Carrie Douglass, Charlottesville
Organization: UVA
1st Place
Title of Work: The Horses of Monticello: Equine Culture in Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia
Category: Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > Nonfiction Book for Adult Readers > Biography or History
- Laura Fortunato, Henrico
Organization: Fortunato Consulting
1st Place
Title of Work: Thirty Years of Navigating the Future
Publication: Northstar Academy & Career Center
Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Education
2nd Place
Title of Work: Northstar Connector – September 2025
Publication: Northstar Academy & Career Center
Category: Web and Social Media > Electronic Newsletter > Nonprofit, government, or educational
2nd Place
Title of Work: Teen Volunteers Embrace Northstar with Big Hearts
Publication: Northstar Academy & Career Center
Category: Writing > News Story > Online publication
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: Duck, Duck, Go!
Publication: Northstar Academy & Career Center
Category: Writing > Feature Story > Online publication
- Ronda Gentry, Farmville
Organization: Letterpress Communications
1st Place
Title of Work: The Harvest Foundation│Social Media Presence
Publication: Facebook
Category: Web and Social Media > Social Media Presence > Nonprofit, government or educational
Co-entrants: Mike Eberly, Karyn, Keane, and Alexandra Veatch
2nd Place
Title of Work: EMU Visit Grant | Google Ads Campaign
Category: Advertising > Advertising Campaign
Co-entrants: David Robinson, Chad Thompson, and Alexandra Veatch
- Sara Hunt, Henrico
Organization: JLV Communications
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: Weidmuller USA unveils new $10 million engineering and production facility in Chesterfield
Publication: Richmond Times-Dispatch
Category: Information for the Media > Media Pitch
- Abby Kittrell, Richmond
Organization: JLV Communications
1st Place
Title of Work: SkillsUSA Massachusetts Quarterly Newsletter
Publication: SkillsUSA Massachusetts Website and delivered to large database
Category: Web and Social Media > Electronic Newsletter > Nonprofit, government, or educational
Co-entrant: Kyra Newman
- Patty Kruszewski, Richmond
1st Place
Title of Work: Near his Henrico foaling site, Boston gets his due
Publication: The Henrico Citizen
Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > History
1st Place
Title of Work: Plate & Goblet: Lotte Lovers, tortillas, & Veganuary
Publication: The Henrico Citizen
Category: Writing > Columns > Informational (how-to, Q&A, advice)
2nd Place
Title of Work: Plate & Goblet: NA Growth, Ronnie’s Rules
Publication: The Henrico Citizen
Category: Writing > Columns > Informational (how-to, Q&A, advice)
- Jennifer Lo Prete, Richmond
Organization: University of Richmond
1st Place
Title of Work: 2025 Italian Film Festival
Category: Communications Programs and Campaigns > Marketing Program or Campaign
1st Place
Title of Work: Annual Report for the School of Arts & Sciences
Category: Public Relations Materials > Report
Co-entrant: Sunni Brown
- Kyra Molinaro, Richmond
Organization: University of Richmond
1st Place
Title of Work: A Global Family of Spiders
Publication: Pillars: A Report on the Impact of Giving
Category: Writing > Feature Story > Magazine, newsletter/other publication
3rd Place
Title of Work: Honoring a Legacy
Publication: Pillars: A Report on the Impact of Giving
Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Education
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: Brothers in Science
Publication: Pillars: A Report on the Impact of Giving
Category: Writing > Feature Story > Magazine, newsletter/other publication
- Kyra Newman, Manakin-Sabot
Organization: JLV Communications
1st Place
Title of Work: Housing is the Hinge for the Alleghany Highlands’ Next Chapter
Publication: Cardinal News
Category: Writing > Editorial/Op-Ed
1st Place
Title of Work: Triple the Talent: Seniors Find their Own SkillsUSA Paths
Publication: SkillsUSA Massachusetts Online Newsletter
Category: Writing > Feature Story > Online publication
3rd Place
Title of Work: Beck Leads Emporia’s Economic Development with Heart and Vision
Publication: Virginia’s Gateway Region Online Newsletter and LinkedIn
Category: Writing > Personality Profile > 750 words or fewer
- Ann Oppenhimer, Richmond
Organization: Folk Art Society of America
1st Place
Title of Work: Folk Art Messenger #116
Publication: Folk Art Messenger
Category: Editing for Print or Online Publications > Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > Newsletter/other publication – non-profit, government, or educational
1st Place
Title of Work: Message From the Executive Director
Publication: Folk Art Messenger
Category: Writing > Columns > Personal opinion (bylined, not editorial)
2nd Place
Title of Work: Bernard Herman 1951-2024
Publication: Folk Art Messenger
Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Obituary (expanded from a regular obituary)
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: Folk Art Society of America Website Folk Art Messenger
Category: Web and Social Media > Website Edited or Managed by Entrant > Nonprofit, government or educational
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: Facebook: Folk Art Society of America
Category: Web and Social Media > Social Media Presence > Nonprofit, government or educational
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: Book Review: Way Out There: Inside the Jargon Society, Late 20th-Century America’s most curious cultural outfit and its Raiders of the Lost Art.
Publication: Folk Art Messenger
Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Reviews (any subject, must express a personal opinion)
- Cassie Price, Richmond
Organization: University of Richmond
2nd Place
Title of Work: University of Richmond alum receives Gang Prosecutor of the Year Award
Publication: University of Richmond website
Category: Writing > Feature Story > Online publication
3rd Place
Title of Work: Cooking up sustainable solutions in Rwanda
Publication: University of Richmond website
Category: Writing > Feature Story > Online publication
- Cynthia Price, Glen Allen
Organization: University of Richmond
2nd Place
Title of Work: Lifelong learners, passionate teachers
Publication: Spider Insider
Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Education
2nd Place
Title of Work: Burying Ground Consecration Ceremony
Category: Communications Programs and Campaigns > Public Relations Campaign > External Communications
- Cherika Ruffin, Richmond
Organization: RideFinders
1st Place
Title of Work: RideFinders Monday Mug Moment
Category: Web and Social Media > Social Media Campaign > Nonprofit, government or educational
3rd Place
Title of Work: Count It. Change It.: Cost Calculator Activated
Category: Communications Programs and Campaigns > Marketing Program or Campaign
- Martha Steger, Midlothian
1st Place
Title of Work: Remembrances of Chef Paul Plus His Sauce Vinaigrette
Publication: Boomer Magazine online
Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Obituary (expanded from a regular obituary)
1st Place
Title of Work: Avoid Gift Card Mail Theft
Publication: Seniors Guide
Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Personal essay (article from author’s perspective with single thesis, supporting statements and conclusion)
1st Place
Title of Work: The Apple of Virginia’s Eye
Publication: Virginia Living Magazine
Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Travel
2nd Place
Title of Work: Turkey Holds onto Its Ancient Traditions
Publication: Mid-Atlantic Recreation News
Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Travel
3rd Place
Title of Work: The Seven Churches of St. John the Apostle Life-long Institute of Chesterfield County
Category: Speeches > Speech
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: Give Me Liberty’: Richmond museum celebrates contributions of key Virginians
Publication: Daily Press
Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Reviews (any subject, must express a personal opinion)
- Diane Thieke, Richmond
Organization: Version A Corp
2nd Place
Title of Work: Version A
Category: Web and Social Media > Website Edited or Managed by Entrant > Corporate or for-profit
Co-entrant: Heather Scott
2nd Place
Title of Work: Is Your Brand Saying One Thing but Showing Another?
Publication: Version A Authentic Expressions blog
Category: Web and Social Media > Blog > Corporate or for-profit
Co-entrants: Sarah Bommer and Heather Scott
- Joan Tupponce, Glen Allen
1st Place
Category: Title of Work: RVA native Everette Taylor brings grit and empathy to dream role as Kickstarter CEO
Publication: VCU News website
Writing > Personality Profile > More than 750 words
2nd Place
Title of Work: More than Morning News
Publication: Richmond Family Magazine
Category: Writing > Personality Profile > More than 750 words
3rd Place
Title of Work: Richmond’s Royal Family
Publication: Richmond Family Magazine
Category: Writing > Feature Story > Magazine, newsletter/other publication
3rd Place
Title of Work: Big Dreams, Bold Flavors
Publication: Richmond Family Magazine
Category: Writing > Personality Profile > More than 750 words
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: Keepin’ It Real with the Holderness Family
Publication: Richmond Family Magazine
Category: Writing > Personality Profile > More than 750 words
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: A Magical Education
Publication: Richmond Family Magazine
Category: Writing > Specialty Articles > Education
- Tyya Turner, Richmond
Organization: Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity
2nd Place
Title of Work: Prescribing Exercise as an Important Cancer Treatment
Publication: SigEp Journal
Category: Writing > Feature Story > Magazine, newsletter/other publication
2nd Place
Title of Work: Citation Recipient Recounts Simple Formula To Success
Publication: SigEp Journal
Category: Writing > Personality Profile > 750 words or fewer
- Jill Vaughan, Henrico
Organization: JLV Communications
1st Place
Title of Work: Uniting the Alleghany Highlands: A Regional Plan for Better Housing
Category: Communications Programs and Campaigns > Public Relations Campaign > Integrated Communications
Co-entrant: Maggie Gowen
2nd Place
Title of Work: Virginia’s Gateway Region 2025 Annual Report
Category: Public Relations Materials > Report
Co-entrant: Kyra Newman
- Catherine Venable, Richmond
Organization: Folk Art Society of America
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: Raleigh Powell Physician, Planter, Photographer: Busy Hands
Publication: Folk Art Messenger
Category: Writing > Personality Profile > More than 750 words
- Beth Wiltshire, Richmond
Organization: Richmond Behavioral Health and Folk Art Society of America
1st Place
Title of Work: Kindness
Publication: Phoenix Rising
Category: Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > Creative Verse > Single poem
2nd Place
Title of Work: Sorry?
Publication: Phoenix Rising
Category: Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > Creative Verse > Single poem
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: Light
Publication: Phoenix Rising
Category: Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > Creative Verse > Single poem
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: Barbara Grey: Making Dreams Come True
Publication: Folk Art Messenger
Category: Writing > Feature Story > Magazine, newsletter/other publication
Honorable Mention
Title of Work: Haint Bradley: Maker of Shadow Boxes
Publication: Folk Art Messenger
Category: Writing > Personality Profile > More than 750 words
***
National conference results will be announced later this year at the annual NFPW national conference.
