Three SCN board members travel to NFPW conference to collect awards and attend workshops

by Hope Salyer

Stockbridge Community News board members Patrice Johnson, Hope Salyer and Judy Williams traveled at their own expense to Bethlehem, Pa, Sept. 6 through Sept. 8, to receive national awards and attend workshops at the National Federation of Press Women’s annual conference.

After winning top honors in several at-large competitions with NFPW entrants in more than 19 states, SCN went on to earn three national awards in the organization’s 2018 National Communications Contest. To receive these honors, the work of SCN board members competed against dozens of other first-place award winners across the country.

Johnson, Williams and Roberta Ludtke received the first-place award in the Special Series category for their Veterans’ series. Judges’ comments included, “This series gives voice to veterans in one Michigan community, offering residents the opportunity to get to know each other and consider perspectives they might not have otherwise encountered.”

Salyer and the SCN board won second-place for their Marketing Program or Campaign for a new or existing service or product category in the “Stockbridge Community News Celebrates One-Year Anniversary.” Judges wrote, “Impressive statement and project. The result is a high-quality local news and information service in a community that needed such a campaign. From start to finish this effort shines of professionalism.”

Johnson and Nancy Wisman received third place in the Photographer-Writer category for their “North Star Reach Touches Lives and Hearts.” Judges’ commented, “Provides an excellent portrayal of the camp through both the text and the photos, despite having the hardship of not being able to feature the campers (due to privacy considerations) as they normally would be included.”

Unrelated to SCN, Johnson’s book, The Fall and Rise of Tyler Johnson, received honorable mention in the national nonfiction category.

The Stockbridge Community News would like to thank everyone who has supported its journey and made the local community publication into a national award-winning success.

On behalf of the Stockbridge Community News, board members Patrice Johnson, Hope Salyer and Judy Williams receive national awards at the National Federation of Press Women’s annual conference.