Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Farmville Herald Entry Title: Roger - Columns Entry Credit: Roger Watson Judge Comment: Roger Watson produces consistently well-constructed arguments for issues that matter to readers. They are fortified by strong leads, specific, compelling examples and effective closing grafs. Well done.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Recorder Entry Title: Virginians who need a monument Entry Credit: Daniel Newcomb Judge Comment: Makes persuasive cases for Virginians, largely unknown these days, but who deserve serious consideration for being recognized for lives that demonstrating exceptional values and heroism.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Smyth County News & Messenger Entry Title: Facing 2020's Hardest Challenges Entry Credit: Stephanie Porter-Nichols Judge Comment: A first-person account of angst over past silence that enabled racial injustice is contrasted by a noisy, but peaceful and impactful, recent protest and a call for light in the face of disabling darkness.
