2020 VPA News and Advertising Contest

General News Writing ( Non-Daily Group 3)Back

  • Place Name: First Place
    Contestant Name: Fauquier Times
    Entry Title: General news -- ginkgo tree
    Entry Credit: Robin Earl
    Judge Comment: What a sad story! An unusual topi:, A neighborhood and the local government unite in an attempt to save a giant, ancient ginkgo tree from a developer, only to see the tree suddenly cut down. Story told with subtle drama and never loses the reader's attention.
  • Place Name: Second Place
    Contestant Name: The News & Record
    Entry Title: 'Fortnite' billionaire buys Falkland Farms
    Entry Credit: Liza Fulton
    Judge Comment: The unfolding story of Falkland Farms in Halifax County is great feel-good read: A tech billionaire buys a 7,000 acre wooded tract then works with the state to turn it over to become Virginia's largest state park. The story is episodic but well told.
  • Place Name: Third Place
    Contestant Name: The Cavalier Daily
    Entry Title: Virginia Athletics modifies logos following criticism over depiction of serpentine walls
    Entry Credit: Nik Popli, Ali Sullivan
    Judge Comment: Brief, punchy story about change to logos for Virginia Athletics, to eliminate the representation of the University's "serpentine" walls, which were built by enslaved people and intended to shield their work from students in the 19th century. The story is notable for its unusual topic. It is both timely and historic.