Herald honored by Virginia Press Association

Published 6:00 am Wednesday, May 6, 2020

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The Farmville Herald was recently honored with 14 awards for outstanding work in the Virginia Press Association’s (VPA) annual contest.

The Herald was honored with seven awards for advertising and seven editorial awards. Betty Ramsey, publisher of The Farmville Herald, said the awards are the result of hard work and intense focus on providing the best local news in the area.

“Our newsroom, sales and support staff have worked hard to serve our communities and area businesses, and it is an honor to be recognized for that work,” Ramsey said. “Congratulations to all the winners and thank you for your will, determination and can-do attitudes that make what we do possible.”

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The organization won a first-place award in the category of real estate advertising by Advertising Director Jackie Newman and also a first-place award in professional services by former Marketing Consultant Katie Windlemeese.

Staff Writer Alexa Massey earned her first VPA first-place honor in government writing.

The editorial department won three second-place awards. Sports Editor Titus Mohler placed second in sports pages. Massey was second in breaking news writing and column writing.

Staff Writer Crystal Vandegrift won a second-place award for The Charlotte Gazette, a sister paper of The Farmville Herald that covers Charlotte County. The award was for the in-depth or investigative reporting writing category.

The advertising department earned a second-place honor for best themed pages. Newman, Marketing Consultant Debbie Evans, Windlemeese and Director of Operations Staci Bridge were honored for the Santa Letters section.

The news department won three third-place awards as well. Mohler won for column writing and sports writing portfolio. Massey won a third-place award for headline writing.

The advertising department had four third-place awards. Evans won for digital advertising. Newman and Windlemeese each won a third place for professional services. Newman, Evans, Windlemeese and Bridge won for special sections.

The VPA’s annual spring awards ceremony to honor winners throughout the state has been postponed until the fall.