Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Roanoke Times Entry Title: Editorial Writing Entry Credit: Dwayne Yancey Judge Comment: Editorials tackle tough, hot-button issues from investment decisions for older schools to gun control in the wake of mass shootings, with good context and easy-to-follow logic. This writer knows how to make their case.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Virginian-Pilot Entry Title: Editorials, 2019 Entry Credit: Brian Colligan Judge Comment: Good writing that shows the person behind the keyboard feels strongly and the topics at hand, particularly gun violence, and yet laces the calls to action with compassion of someone truly invested in the community. That kind of writing connects with readers.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Richmond Times-Dispatch Entry Title: Chris Gentilviso editorial writing Entry Credit: Chris Gentilviso Judge Comment: Introductory grafs pull you in; nice flow to the writing; almost as if a conversation were occurring around the dinner table. Writer makes balances assessments and questions enough to urge action.
