The Tidewater News again takes Grand Sweepstakes
Published 6:00 pm Tuesday, April 9, 2019
- The Tidewater News after the Virginia Press Association's awards banquet on April 6 in Norfolk. In front, from left, are Michelle Gray, Mitzi Lusk and Stephen H. Cowles; back, Retta Lomax, Stephen Faleski, Kenya Smith, Tony Clark; Ryan and Crystal Outlaw. The paper had won both the Advertising and Grand Sweepstakes honors in its newspaper group. -- Steve Stewart Tidewater News
From left are Stephen Faleski, Kenya Smith and Stephen H. Cowles of the newsroom. — Mitzi Lusk Tidewater News
NORFOLK
For the fifth time in the six years since the award was first given, The Tidewater News received the 2018 Grand Sweepstakes award from the Virginia Press Association at the organizations’ annual conference and awards banquet in Norfolk on Saturday. The TN also took home its sixth consecutive Advertising Sweepstakes, having won every year since the inaugural award was given for 2013. The newspaper also won the News Sweepstakes award in 2009 and 2012.
Sweepstakes awards are given to the newspaper in each circulation category, based on its frequency of publication and circulation size, which earns the most points in the News and Advertising contests. The Grand Sweepstakes is awarded to the publication earning the most combined points from both the News and Advertising contests. Points are earned based on the judging of work submitted by newspapers in several categories for writing, photography, layout and advertising design. The Iowa Press Association judged this year’s contest.
Tidewater News Publisher Tony Clark is most happy holding up the paper’s Grand Sweepstakes award. — Mitzi Lusk Tidewater News
TN Publisher Tony Clark said of the honors, “For our staff to join with colleagues from around the Commonwealth each spring to honor the incredible work being done by newspapers here both large and small is a motivating and inspiring experience in and of itself. But to be recognized by your peers as one of the best newspapers in the state is another feeling altogether.”
Clark added, “Our staff works so hard and is so dedicated to our cause of quality community journalism, to see their individual work recognized is much more meaningful to me than winning the Sweepstakes.”
In addition to the Sweepstakes awards, designer Crystal Outlaw won one of only three Best In Show awards given for advertising design.
Staff members winning individual prizes in the News contest were:
1st place – Column Writing, Kenya Smith
1st place – Education Writing, Stephen Faleski
1st place – Photo Illustration, Stephen Cowles and Retta Lomax
1st place – Editorial writing, Tony Clark
2nd place – Editorial writing, Stephen Cowles
2nd place – General news writing, Stephen Faleski
3rd place – Public safety writing, Stephen Faleski
Staff members winning individual prizes in the Advertising contest were:
1st place – 2 categories, Retta Lomax
1st place – Ryan Outlaw
1st place – Crystal Outlaw
1st place – Ryan Outlaw and Mitzi Lusk
1st place – Crystal Outlaw and Ryan Outlaw
2nd place – 4 categories, Ryan Outlaw
2nd place – 3 categories, Retta Lomax
2nd place – 2 categories, Crystal Outlaw
3rd place – 5 categories, Ryan Outlaw
3rd place – 3 categories, Retta Lomax
3rd place, Ryan Outlaw and Mitzi Lusk
3rd place, Staff
The complete listing of all awards and recognitions bestowed by the Virginia Press Association at its annual conference and banquet can be viewed on its website, www.vpa.net.
