SCN writer’s work places in national contest

SCN treasurer and reporter Judy Williams advanced from first place winner in the NFPW at-large competition to an honorable mention at the national level.

by Agnes Geiger

After winning a first-place in the at-large competition this spring, Stockbridge Community News writer Judy Williams went on to receive an honorable mention award at the national level in the 2022 National Communications Contest sponsored by the National Federation of Press Women.

Williams’ winning article “A grateful community bids farewell to Mark Schroeder, retired Unadilla Township fire chief,” received the award in the category of specialty articles — obituaries. It was published online March 28, 2021 and on Page 1 of the April 2021 edition of SCN. The article reported on Schroeder’s memorial service and detailed his dedication to the fire department he joined in 1983.

Williams’ entry was one of two from SCN that qualified for the national contest this year. The other, written by SCN Editor-in-Chief Mary Jo David, contained two samples of her StockBIZ columns.

Only first-place winning entries among the dozens sent to at-large or state competitions across the country were eligible for the national contest. All entries were published or broadcast between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2021.

The national awards were presented at the NFPW annual Conference Awards Dinner June 25 in Fargo, North Dakota.

NFPW is a nationwide organization of women and men pursuing careers across the communications spectrum, including print and electronic journalism, books, public relations, photography, radio, television, graphics and others.