Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Virginia Gazette Entry Title: Building a bigger table: Keeping the dream, economic playing fields, false narratives Entry Credit: Laura D. Hill Judge Comment: There is but one “race”, the Human Race! For this columnist (and the rest of us) there should be no doubt. These columns resonate reality as they reflect racism and racist conduct/rhetoric. Excellent writing with detailed historical context—distant past to yesterday’s political dialogue.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Virginia Gazette Entry Title: You Don't Say: Service centers, into that good night, participation trophies Entry Credit: W.R. van Elburg Judge Comment: Thoughtfully provocative, engagingly emotional, topically direct, this columnist shares his views with populist experience. A nice set.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Crozet Gazette Entry Title: Backroads by Lynn Coffey Entry Credit: Lynn Coffey Judge Comment: Love is a village with a columnist who epitomizes the name. Unique recipes, wandering cats and families with deep rural roots are cast as community vendors of the town name. Homespun writing engages readers with Love.
Competition Comment: Entries with historical elements significant today; personal relationships and incidents to which readers can relate; social actions that resonate and engage; political dialogue to challenge readers' engagement. And more! We looked for those entries that engaged readers rather than just telling the writer's story. The quality narrative is essential, yes, but readers are our targets. Engage them!
