The Rappahannock Record received 15 awards, including eight first-place wins, in the 2023 Virginia Press Association (VPA) News and Advertising Contest.
The Record competed in the VPA’s non-daily group three category, which included 28 newspapers in the 4,000-8,999 circulation range.
Newspapers across Virginia annually submit their best work in the VPA contest. The 2023 contest was judged by the Missouri Press Association. The awards were presented May 4 during an awards banquet at the Omni Charlottesville Hotel.
News awards
The Record news team won three awards, including two firsts.
General assignment reporter/photographer Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi won first place in the Breaking News Photo category with a picture of firefighters atop a ladder. The photo was used on the cover of the 2023 Front Line supplement, published jointly with the Southside Sentinel in Urbanna. The judge noted the photo was a “dramatic picture.”
The Sentinel entered Front Line in the non-daily group two category among 27 newspapers with a circulation of 1,600-3,999, where it placed first in Special Sections or Special editions.
Hinton-Valdrighi also won second place in the Sports News Photo category. The judge noted “Great action at home.”
General assignment reporter/photographer AnnGardner Eubank won first place in the Business and Financial category. The entry included three writing samples. The judge noted, “This was an excellent look at how the three businesses successfully operate and their starts. Each of the pieces were a joy to read!”
Advertising
The Record advertising sales and graphic design team won 11 awards, including six firsts.
Advertising manager Susan Graves and graphic designer Stephanie Feria won first place in the Fashion and Personal Care category; first, second and third in the Small Space Ads category; second in the Education-Churches-Organizations category; and third in the Home and Garden category.
Feria and advertising sales representative Marilyn Bryant won first place in the Lifestyles category; second in the Entertainment category; and third in the Real Estate category.
Graves, Feria and Bryant won first place in the Multiple Advertisers and Themed pages category and Feria won first place in the Member Self-Promotion category.
Other awards
The news, advertising and graphic design teams also won first place for their staff entry in the Special Sections category with the 2023 Bay Heritage supplement. The judge noted, “A solid publication with quality feature stories with a solid layout of great photos full of history. Job well done.” Bay Heritage is another supplement published jointly with the Sentinel.
Among Specialty publications statewide, The Rivah Visitor’s Guide received seven awards, including three firsts. The Rivah, a joint project of the Record and the Sentinel, competed with 19 publications ranging in circulation from 3,500-590,097.
General assignment reporter/photographer Jackie Nunnery, publications manager Susan Simmons and intern reporter/photographer Gabriel Zakaib won third place in the Combination Picture and Story category. The judge noted the entry, “Where land and water converge,” had “amazing photography of habitats not always seen and creatures caught with perfect bokeh. The article not only helps me understand the importance of the ecosystem, but makes me want to visit it to see it for myself. Great job.”
On the advertising side, Graves and Feria won first place in the Food and Drug category; and third in the Small Space Ads category.
Feria and Bryant won first place in the Small Space Ads category; first in the Lifestyles category; second in the Small Space category; and third in the Home and Garden category.
