In its first time entering the Virginia Press Association Awards competition in more than a decade, C-VILLE Weekly walked away with 11 awards, as well as two additional “best in show” nods.
In selecting news editor Graelyn Brashear’s July 9, 2014, story “From cancer center to courtroom” as the best in show for non-daily writing, judges praised Brashear’s tackling of a complicated story that described UVA’s aggressive efforts to collect money from uninsured patients.
“You did well to keep it simple, well-organized, and honed down to the essentials,” they wrote.
Photographer Justin Ide’s April 23, 2014, photo essay on becoming a firefighter also took a best in show. “Excellent work,” the judges wrote. “Tells a story with a variety of shots, perspectives and emotions.”
In addition to best in show, Brashear placed second for in-depth reporting for her work covering the Dominion pipeline and shared a third place news writing award for Hannah Graham coverage with senior reporter Lisa Provence, editor Courteney Stuart, former C-VILLE staffer-turned-freelancer Laura Ingles and intern Nicolette Gendron.
Dan Catalano’s Odd Dominion column also took a first place for column or commentary writing, with Elizabeth Derby placing second in that category for her arts column The Works. Shea Gibbs won a third-place award for arts writing for his feature story on Sons of Bill.
Photographer Brianna LaRocco took first place for general news photo for her image of the issuance of the state’s first gay marriage license, photographer Ron Rammelkamp won second place for his feature photo of a homeless man who panhandles on Albemarle County medians and Jack Looney won third place in the general news category for his photo of the Monticello Naturalization Ceremony.
In the design category, the team of graphic designer Max March, writer Laura Ingles and photographers Martyn Kyle, Ian Nichols and Elli Williams took third place for combination picture and story for their March 5, 2014, story on Charlottesville’s Tibetan Buddhist community.
C-VILLE was not the only local media outlet with a strong showing in the competition. The Daily Progress won 23 awards in its daily category, and former DP staff reporter Katy Burnell Evans, who has since moved to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, was honored as Outstanding Young Journalist of the Year. Charlottesville Tomorrow took 24 awards in the online-only category.
