From staff reports –
The Southside Sentinel received two first place awards and five second place awards in the 2020 Virginia Press Association (VPA) News and Advertising Contest. Newspapers across Virginia annually submit their best work in the VPA’s contest and are then judged by another state press association. This year the Maryland, Delaware and District of Columbia Press Association judged the contest. Due to COVID-19 concerns, VPA announced the winners last week online, rather than at its traditional April in-person annual meeting and awards banquet.
The Sentinel captured first place in the Special Section category for its Bay Healthstyles section, which it produced in conjunction with its sister newspaper, the Rappahannock Record. “Good original, local reporting with a variety of helpful information,” wrote a contest judge about the Sentinel’s entry. “Good design, photos and use of color.” Sentinel reporters Larry Chowning and Tom Chillemi contributed to the section. Special Supplement Coordinator and Graphic Designer Susan Simmons oversaw the layout.
The Sentinel also collected a first place advertising award for an ad created for the Urbanna business Low Tide. “The photo says it all here,” wrote a judge about the Sentinel entry. Sentinel Production Manager Joe Gaskins and Advertising Sales Manager Hannah Abbott created the ad.
The Sentinel second place wins included, in the Multimedia category, “Middlesex County Black Lives Matter March for Justice.” A contest judge commented, “I like how you captured the communities support for Black Lives Matter, but also giving the history and importance of the area to Black residents. Your videos were a real powerful addition to the message and presentation.” Sentinel Reporter Larry Chowning and former Sentinel Graphic Artist Ray Rose are credited with the entry.
Another Sentinel second place entry was “Steel Survivors” in the Picture and Story category that appeared in the Sentinel’s Bay Heritage special section, which is produced jointly with the Record. “The history lesson and the passion this man has for bygone era of tractors was nicely put together,” a judge wrote. “Great community story. Enjoyed it very much and got a history lesson along the way.”
Sentinel Reporter Tom Chillemi wrote the story and took the photos and Special Supplement Coordinator and Graphic Designer Susan Simmons coordinated the layout.
A Sentinel video on Urbanna’s third annual Christmas Children and Pets Parade won second place, with credit going to Chowning and Rose.
Sentinel Editor Don Richeson earned a second place win with his photo story, “Soul Expressions opens 2020 Groovin’ in the Park.”
The Sentinel competed in the VPA’s non-daily group two category.
