SCN recognized for outstanding work

By Agnes Geiger

The Stockbridge Community News has received nine awards in the annual National Federation of Press Women’s At-Large Communications Contest.

In the at-large division of the contest, the Stockbridge Community News competed against entries from dozens of other states that do not have an NFPW chapter.

SCN, a monthly newspaper that completed its first year in November, was awarded five first-place awards, one second-place, one third-place and two honorable mentions.

“Entries were judged and ranked by professional communications experts from throughout the United States,” said Teri Ehresman, of Idaho, the contest director.

Patrice Johnson, SCN editor-in-chief and board president, was surprised and pleased with the honors. “It was exciting to read the judge’s comments,” she said. “They were as insightful as they were encouraging.”

She also credited the entire SCN team for the paper’s success. “This is a team effort, and we’ve been learning as we go, so it’s great to receive affirmation that we’re on the right track.”

Winning first-place entries were:

– Marketing Program or Campaign for “Stockbridge Community News Celebrates One-Year Anniversary.”

“What a wonderful project. Congratulations on your success,” the judge wrote. “I am impressed with the thought and research you put into this venture.” The judge continued, “As a resident of a small community, I understand the need for local news. This project does a great job using all means at its disposal—print and mailing along with digital via the website and social media.”

– News story, print-based newspaper for “Sun Times News Passes Baton of Local Coverage to Stockbridge Community News.” The story also received a third-place in online news.

“This is a great way to send off a competitor with dignity and compassion in what has become a very difficult business. Well done,” the judge commented.

– Special series for “Veteran-Alumni-Teacher Bob Richards, Leading by Example”: “Homeless Veteran Takes Shelter in Munith Park Dedicated to Veterans”; “Lee Byerly: Lessons from Vietnam War Combat Veteran”; “Dorene White: A Military Wife and Life Well Lived”; andElwin Breniser: Proud to Have Served His Country.”

The judge commented that it was a great job in planning and executing the series so that almost every major military conflict was represented. “The homeless veteran story was especially poignant and well done,” the judge noted.

– Specialty Articles, Education for “Journalism/Yearbook Teacher’s Golden Pen Award Signals a Winning Dynamic”; and “SHS Graduation: Class of 2017 Shows Insight and Heart.”

The judge remarked on the nice, clean writing in both stories and said it was a great use of quotes. The graduation story was great, the judge continued. “It felt like I was watching the speakers on stage. Great job.”

– Photographer-writer for “North Star Reach Touches Lives and Hearts.”

The judge enjoyed seeing the exterior and interior of the treehouse with the crazy offset windows.

Other awards:

“B & B Taylor Farm: Breaking the Code to Family Farm Success,” received a second-place award for feature story in a print newspaper. “Nice visual images in your writing,” the judge commented.

“Sun Times News Passes Baton of Local Coverage to Stockbridge Community News” received a third-place award in online news in addition to its first-place print award.

SCN also received an honorable mention for Continuing Coverage or Unfolding News. The articles were “Civil Discourse on Medical Marijuana Prevails at Township Board Meeting”; “Digging into Stockbridge Township’s Medical Marijuana Survey Results and Other Questions”; “Stockbridge Planning Commission Holds Special Meeting Regarding Medical Marijuana.”

The judge said the articles did a good job with a difficult and complex topic.

Another honorable mention was given in Editorial/Opinion in a print-based newspaper for “Article about Saline News Prompts Letter to the Editor.”

“Congratulations on your efforts to present your readers with local news they need to be informed and make good decisions,” the judge commented. “Keep up the good work.”

Johnson wins award:

In addition to the newspaper’s awards, Editor-in-Chief Patrice Johnson also received a first-place award in the non-fiction book for adult readers, biography or autobiography category for her book about her son “The Fall and Rise of Tyler Johnson: Based on the Journals of a Young Man Turned Fugitive.” The judge’s comments about her work were not yet available.

All first-place entries in the contest will advance to compete with other state first-place winners in the national competition. National winners will be honored at an awards dinner Sept. 8 in Bethlehem, Pa.

NFPW is a nationwide organization of women and men pursuing careers across the communications spectrum, including print and electronic journalism, freelancing, new media, books, public relations, marketing, graphic design, photography, advertising, radio and television.